How to Celebrate Father's Day

Co-authored by Ivy Summer and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: March 18, 2023 References Approved

Your dad is your personal superhero—strong, knowledgeable, and motivating—so it's no wonder you want to make him feel loved on his special day. Father's Day is always the third Sunday of June in the United States and United Kingdom, which is Sunday, June 18, 2023.^{[1]
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Research source} This holiday can be celebrated in tons of ways with food, adventures, and hugs. If you’re looking for ways to celebrate Father’s Day, look no further! We’ve got a list of things you can do with your dad to show how much you love him.

1

Have a picnic.

Sit on a picnic blanket for some wholesome, quality time with dad. When in doubt, plan a picnic! This relaxing and easy-to-plan activity involves food, ambiance, and good company—making it perfect for Father’s Day. Simply pack your dad’s favorite foods in a picnic basket, travel to the desired picnic spot, sit, eat, and talk.
- You don’t have to travel far to have a picnic. Set the picnic blanket up in your living room on a rainy day, or lay it out on your front lawn to watch the cars drive by.

2

Go on a camping trip.

Travel to a scenic park or camp out in the backyard for a fun adventure. Pitch a tent, make a fire, and roast marshmallows or hotdogs. You can even sing campfire songs or tell scary stories together. There’s nothing quite like sleeping under the stars with your dad on his special day. Your bond is sure to grow!^{[2]
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3

Finish a puzzle together.

Put together a lasting memory while spending time with your dad. Puzzles are the perfect gift for dads that love a good mind game. Not only are they fun, but your dad could even frame the finished product when you’re done!
- Buy him a puzzle featuring his favorite sports team or superhero, or order one custom-made with a picture of you and him together.

4

Put on a talent show.

Show off your talents to tell your dad how much you love him. This idea is perfect if you have a large, artistic, and/or enthusiastic family. Highlight all of your unique talents by singing dad’s favorite songs, performing skits from his favorite movies, and cracking jokes all about him.

5

Go on a scavenger hunt.

Hide clues and prizes around the house for dad to find. This is a fun activity for kids and adults alike. Set up a scavenger hunt by writing out clues that rhyme and/or pertain to your dad. When he follows all the clues, he’ll be led to a super special present.
- Your first clue card could say something like, “Today is a celebration all about you. And we’ve planned a scavenger hunt to do! You’ll find your next clue where we grew,” and lead to a doorway marked with heights.

6

Complete a task he’s been meaning to do.

Help your dad out with chores around the house. There’s no better way to show your dad how much you appreciate him than by taking away some of the workload. If he’s been meaning to mow the lawn for a week now, do it yourself. Something this small can make a huge difference.
- Pay close attention to what your dad does at home. If he normally does the dishes, offer to do them on Father’s Day (or any day).

7

Gift him something homemade.

Make your dad a card or craft to say, “I love you.” Gift him something that fits his personality or hobbies and speaks from your heart. Opt for writing a card filled with jokes if your dad is a fan of dad jokes, or knit him a scarf to keep him warm during late-night shifts.

8

Create a photo slideshow.

Make a virtual slideshow with lots of photos of your dad. It can be photos from when he was young or photos of his time being your dad. Looking at photos together can be a great way to reminisce over fun memories.
- Try flipping through old family photo albums or boxes to gather pictures for your presentation.

9

Have a family game night.

Play a board game with your dad to make lasting memories. A little friendly competition can get you, your dad, and the whole family laughing! Let dad pick the game and go from there.^{[3]
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- Setting up a game of charades with words and phrases all focused on dad can be a fun and silly way to get the game night rolling.

10

Organize a family barbecue.

Treat dad to his favorite meats on Father’s day. Nothing says dad and summer more than a good old barbecue! Fire up the grill, call up the family, and set out the beers because it’s time to celebrate dad.^{[4]
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- Grill some chicken or barbecue ribs. You can also never go wrong with classics like burgers, hot dogs, and corn.
- Opt for your dad’s favorite seasonings, sauce, and meats to keep the day all about him.

11

Challenge him to a video game tournament.

Give your dad a day where you play nothing but video games together. For some, this will be the best present ever! Take everything else off your dad’s schedule and get to gaming. See who can have the most wins in each game, only stopping to grab snacks and take quick breaks because you’re both in it to win it.

12

Watch sports with him.

Sit down and watch a game with your dad on Father’s Day. If your dad’s into sports, center the day around his favorite team or sport. Watch the game while eating his favorite game snacks or, better yet, attend a game in person.

13

Challenge him at a sport.

Bet your dad that he won’t be able to beat you in hoops. Get outside and have some friendly competition with your old man. Play one-on-one or get the whole family involved! You could even have a prize set up for him if he wins.^{[5]
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- Keep him playing with a silly bet like the loser has to jump in the lake, or the winner gets an ice cream sundae.
- Play whatever sport your dad likes! Maybe that’s basketball, baseball, football, or soccer.

14

Make him breakfast in bed.

Treat your dad to breakfast in bed this Father’s Day. Dad works extra hard to make sure you’re happy, so show him how much you appreciate it by letting him sleep through that alarm. Cook up his favorite breakfast foods, and bring them to him on a tray.
- Add an extra special touch to his breakfast by setting a homemade card next to his orange juice.

15

Bake him his favorite treat.

Sweeten dad up by making him a special dessert. Who doesn’t like to be spoiled, especially on their special day? Make your dad his favorite sweet treat for Father’s Day and decorate it to show him how much you love him.
- Chocolate chip cookies are always a smart choice, but you can never go wrong with cake!

16

Cook him his favorite meal.

Make dad feel extra special by taking care of dinner. Chances are, your dad has a meal he loves more than anything else—so cook it for him! This day is all about him, so serve up his favorite sides and dressings.
- Subtly ask your dad days (or even months) before Father’s Day about his favorite meal. This way, he won’t suspect a thing, and you’ll know what to shop for.

17

Have fun outdoors.

Take time to unplug and explore the great outdoors. Sometimes all a dad wants for Father’s Day is quality time with loved ones, so give him that and more! Push those phones, computers, and TVs aside and get outside.^{[6]
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Research source} Check out some of these outdoor activities you can do together as a family:
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Running
- Flying a kite
- Bird watching
- Bike riding
- Gardening
- Fishing

18

Watch a movie with him.

Set up a movie night with all dad’s favorite flicks. This Father’s Day, surprise your dad with a cozy night watching all his top movies and eating his favorite snacks. Turn your living room into an at-home theater, go to the movie theaters, or create a theater in your backyard.^{[7]
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19

Give ax-throwing a try.

Try something new, adventurous, and dangerous with dad. Ax throwing has taken the world by storm and is a great way to get out some anger and have fun. If your dad’s been in a tough place lately, buy him a soda and see who can hit the bullseye first.
- Ax throwing may not be the best activity for younger children.

20

Go to an escape room.

Crack the code and escape the room for some family fun. This Father’s Day, invite the whole family on an excursion that requires teamwork. Escape rooms are a great bonding activity, and you’re sure to make lasting memories and laugh until you cry.
- Find escape rooms near you by searching “escape rooms near me” online.

21

Play mini-golf together.

Bring your dad to a mini version of his favorite sport. If your dad loves golfing with his buddies on the weekends, treat him to an even funnier and more exciting version of the game. This is a great activity for all ages, and, with indoor and outdoor mini-golf places, it’s perfect for any weather.
- Search “mini golf near me” online to see where you can play in your area.
- Check out GroupOn to find local deals and coupons.

22

Go bowling.

Take your dad bowling one-on-one or with the family. This is a fun and competitive way to spend leisure time with dad. Plus, there’s bound to be great food and retro vibes. You can also take the time between sets to ask your dad questions and have a conversation.
- Call your local alley to see if they have any Father’s Day deals.

23

Attend a concert.

Jam out with dad to celebrate his special day. If your dad loves music, he’s sure to love this! Gift your dad concert tickets on Father’s Day or attend a musical event on the holiday. You’ll both be able to bond, and you might even find that your dad’s favorite band is your new favorite band.

24

Take a class together.

Learn something new with your dad on Father’s Day. If your dad is one to pick up hobbies left and right, appease his curious mind by enrolling him in a one-day class. Maybe you learn to make pasta, mold clay, or paint together. Simply choose an activity or skill your dad would love.
- Give your dad a gift that keeps on giving with a Masterclass or Skillshare subscription. This way, he can learn at his own pace about whatever he wants, whenever he wants.

25

Go on a road trip.

Blare some music and take on the open road with your dad. If you’re both adventurous spirits, this is the perfect activity. Simply set a destination and drive. Stop wherever your dad wants to stop along the way—who knows? You may just make lasting memories.

26

Take a family vacation.

Get the whole family together for an epic adventure. Is there someplace your dad’s always wanted to go? Something he’s always wanted to do? Treat him to it for Father’s Day! Go big and visit another state or country, or have a staycation in a neighboring town with lots to do.
- Take the trip on Father’s Day or slip tickets into your dad’s card to gift a later trip.

27

Volunteer together.

Give back to the community on Father’s Day. Volunteering will not only let you bond with your dad over a shared cause, but it’ll also give you both the opportunity to help dads and families in need. Go to a local soup kitchen or national park to put your love back into the community.
- You can find local volunteering opportunities near you by visiting Volunteermatch.org and Volunteer.gov.

28

Ask him about your family’s history.

Learn more about your dad’s childhood this Father’s Day. It may seem simple, but gathering around to share stories makes for a great time and history lesson. Ask your dad what his favorite things to do were as a kid, if he had a favorite band, or what memories he cherishes of his father.^{[8]
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Can Father's Day be a birthday for some person in your life?

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Yes, there's always a chance that Father's Day could happen to fall on someone's birthday. If you like, you can make it a double celebration for your dad and the birthday person that year.
Question

What if my dad hates gifts?

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Not everyone likes getting gifts. If your dad isn't a gift person, do a fun activity with him, like playing a game, cooking, or working on a hobby. You can also do something nice for him, like bringing him breakfast in bed or surprising him by washing the car.
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What if he likes to play video games but my brother is to young to play them?

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You and your dad could play video games while your brother does a fun, age-appropriate activity, like drawing or playing with building blocks. Or, you could let your dad unwind with video games while you watch your little brother.