Dads are pretty awesome. They’re our cheerleaders, our protectors, and sometimes, our personal toolboxes (thanks, Dad!). But between the hustle and bustle of life, quality father-child bonding time can fall by the wayside especially in the case of a single parent.
Here’s the good news: spending time with your dad doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Whether you’re a kid looking for ways to bond with your pops, or an adult child reconnecting with your old man, this list is bursting with ideas for creating lasting memories together with these below fun things to do with your dad.
Active Adventures:
- Hit the Great Outdoors: Dads and nature go hand-in-hand. Lace up your hiking boots and explore a new trail, or have a picnic lunch in a scenic spot. Feeling adventurous? Try camping under the stars. These adventures can be one of the best things to do with your dad
- Channel Your Inner Athlete: Get competitive with a friendly game of basketball, frisbee, or tennis. If you’re feeling aquatic, hit the pool for a refreshing swim race or a game of water polo.
- Gear Up and Go: Is your dad a cycling enthusiast? Join him for a scenic bike ride. Does he love tinkering with motors? Hit up a local go-kart track and unleash your inner speed demons.
Creative Camaraderie:
- DIY Craftsmanship: Channel your inner Bob Vila with a father-child DIY project. Build a birdhouse, fix up some furniture, or even tackle a backyard landscaping project together.
- Brush Up Your Skills: Take a cooking class together and learn how to whip up a delicious meal (bonus points if it’s your dad’s signature dish!). Painting, pottery, or even woodworking classes can also be a fun way to explore your creative sides.
- Become Game Masters: Dust off those board games or video game controllers and have a game night showdown. Feeling strategic? Plan a thrilling escape room challenge – you’ll have to work together to crack the codes and escape before time runs out!
Chill Out and Connect:
- Movie Marathon Masters: Curl up on the couch with a bowl of popcorn and have a movie marathon. Pick a genre you both love, or choose a classic film from your dad’s childhood and hear his behind-the-scenes stories. For a unique twist, create a themed movie night based on your dad’s favorite actors, directors, or genres.
- Become Armchair Travelers: Fuel your wanderlust with a virtual travel session. Explore museums online using virtual tours, take a 360-degree tour of famous landmarks through travel websites, or research your dream vacation destinations together. You can even plan a “bucket list” trip together, creating a visual map or itinerary to fuel your shared travel dreams.
- The Gift of Gab: Sometimes, the best bonding time is simply catching up. Plan a dad-date for coffee or lunch, or have a heart-to-heart conversation at home. Ask him about his childhood, his dreams, or even embarrassing dad jokes (they’re practically a rite of passage!).
Let’s Get Personal:
- Tailor-Made Activities: Think about your dad’s hobbies and interests. Does he love music? Take him to a concert or music festival featuring a band or artist he enjoys. Is he a history buff? Explore a local museum or historical site related to a period he finds fascinating.
- Revisit the Past: Dig out old photo albums and reminisce about childhood memories. Share stories and have a good laugh about awkward teenage phases or those epic family vacations. You could even create a digital scrapbook together to share with the whole family, adding captions and stories to each photo.
- Learn a New Skill (From Each Other!): Is there something your dad has always wanted to learn? Offer to teach him – it could be anything from coding to playing an instrument. The tables can be turned too! Maybe your dad can teach you a skill he’s mastered, like woodworking or fixing a leaky faucet (because those inevitable life lessons are important too!).
Bonus Round: Celebrate Dad!
- Father’s Day Fun: Father’s Day is the perfect opportunity to shower your dad with love and appreciation. Make him breakfast in bed, write him a heartfelt card, or plan a special Father’s Day outing. Take him to his favorite restaurant, go for a hike he’s been wanting to try, or simply spend the day relaxing together.
- Random Acts of Dad-ness: You don’t need a special occasion to show your dad you care. Surprise him with his favorite takeout meal, help him out with a chore that’s been on his to-do list, or simply tell him how much you appreciate him. Write him a little note expressing your emotionstowards him.
Expanding Your Horizons: Creative Things To Do With Your Dad
- Volunteer Together: Give back to your community and bond with your dad at the same time. Volunteer at a local animal shelter, soup kitchen, or park clean-up event. Helping others is a rewarding experience that you can share together.
- Learn a New Language (Si, Papá!): Have you always wanted to learn Spanish, French, or another language? Sign up for a class together and challenge yourselves to pick up a new skill. You can practice with each other at home and even set mini-goals to hold yourselves accountable.
- Hit the Books (or the Bookstore!): Does your dad have a favorite author or genre? Spend an afternoon browsing a bookstore and pick out a book to read together. You can discuss the plot, characters, and themes over coffee or dinner, making it a mini book club for two.
Fueling the Foodie:
- Become Grill Masters: Fire up the grill and have a backyard barbecue together. Experiment with different marinades and grilling techniques, or try out a new recipe you’ve both been wanting to make. Don’t forget the perfect side dishes and refreshing drinks to complete the feast.
- World Tour on a Plate: Explore the world through your taste buds! Choose a different country each week and cook a traditional dish together. Look up recipes online, find authentic ingredients, and enjoy a delicious meal while learning about different cultures.
Underrated Things To Do With Your Dad!
- Take a Class Together: The possibilities are endless! Explore a topic you’re both interested in, like history, astronomy, or photography. You can even take a more practical class, like learning basic car maintenance or home improvement skills. Learning can be one of the best things to do with your dad to enhance skills of both of you..
- Become Museum Hoppers: Spend a day exploring museums in your city. Discuss the exhibits, learn something new, and spark interesting conversations. Many museums offer special events or lectures, so check their calendars for unique opportunities.
- Build a Retro Arcade: Channel your inner child and build a retro arcade cabinet together. There are plenty of DIY kits available online, or you can get creative and repurpose an old cabinet. Spend hours reliving classic video games and creating new memories.
- Conquer the Digital World: Is your dad not the most tech-savvy? Offer to teach him some basic computer skills, like how to use social media, navigate online shopping platforms, or video chat with loved ones. Your patience and guidance will be greatly appreciated.
- Become Gaming Buddies: The world of online gaming offers endless possibilities. Explore different genres together, join a virtual team, or simply have friendly competitions. It’s a fun way to connect and have some laughs, even if you’re miles apart.
Remember, the most important thing is to spend quality time with your dad and create lasting memories. This list is just a starting point, get creative, personalize the activities to your dad’s interests and plan things to do with your dad, but don’t forget to have fun!
