9 Activity Ideas for Father's Day

When it comes to the best ideas for Father's Day activities, keep in mind the (hopefully) nice weather in mid-June and Dad’s passions and interests. Whether he likes playing in the yard, baking, live music, or researching his family history, there are Father’s Day ideas to make him smile on or around Sunday, June 18. Here are 9 Father’s Day activity ideas to consider this year to spend quality time with the special Dad in your life and his kids.

Backyard Soccer Match

By the time Father’s Day rolls around this year, the European soccer season will be all over. If the dad in your life, like me, finds this a little sad, organize a backyard kickabout to cheer him up! The green grass, the sound of the ball coming off a foot, and the fresh air combined with quality time spent outdoors with his kids will make him forget all about the weekend footy matches that have replaced the Saturday morning cartoons of his youth.

Watch His Favorite Vintage Saturday Morning Cartoons

If it’s a rainy day or if a snuggle session on the couch is what dad will appreciate the most, queue up his old favorite cartoons classics like Bugs Bunny, Marvin the Martian, Grape Ape, Muppet Babies, and retro Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoons, and hear him laugh like he did when he was a little kid.

Bake Fresh Scones for Dad

Baking anything is going to be a hit for Dad, but making chocolate chip scones might be the best Father’s Day idea of them all! It’s easy too, with just a handful of ingredients and being okay with getting your hands messy, you can make gourmet bakery-quality scones that have a delicious crunch, scrumptious coarse sugar on top, and warm, soft, chocolatey goodness on the inside.

Go to an Outdoor Concert

Chances are, the Dad in your life loves music and, just as likely, he loves live music! This summer, plan a night with the family at a free local park outdoor concert or go see a big, famous band play live. He’ll be happy singing along and you and the kids will enjoy seeing him filled with joy.

Plan a Fishing Trip for Dad

A weekend trip or a beautiful day spent on or near the water with Dad is one of the best ideas for Father's Day activities to do together. Fishing is a great way to spend time in nature and connect with your Dad at the same time. Check to see if your state’s free fishing days fall anywhere near Father’s Day this year.

Book a Camping Trip with Dad

Father's Day ideas that involve the great outdoors don’t get much better than a camping trip. Whether you travel far to one of the most spectacular places to go camping and fishing or find one of the best campsites near you for a camping staycation, spending time in a tent or cabin, making s’mores around a fire pit, and disconnecting from Dad’s hectic everyday life is a beautiful way to start your summer.

Outdoor Games Marathon

Spikeball, cornhole, ladder ball, and more games are great casual outdoor activity ideas for Father's Day. Celebrate Dad this year with a marathon of outdoor games that the whole family can enjoy together.

Work on a Dad Journal

I wrote the prompts for the guided journal, 100 Questions for Dad, which will help any Dad tell his unique story, and offer him a chance to be vulnerable and honest about his childhood, memories, successes, failures, fears, and hopes for the future. The result will be a keepsake book that will be cherished by his kids and grandkids. This Father’s Day idea is perfect for older Dads and is also one of the best first Father's Day activity ideas.

Trace Dad’s History Online and Make a Family Tree

Looking for Father's Day online activity ideas? Using a genealogy service, find out dad’s ancestry and then make a family tree with all the branches for siblings, cousins, aunts, and uncles, and more. If the oven is still preheated after baking scones, find some recipes from the countries in his ancestry report to get a taste of his cultural lineage too!

Need more Father’s Day ideas? Check out these great Father’s Day activity ideas for every kind of Dad.