50 Father’s Day Activities That Appeal to Every Kind of Dad

If you and your dad always bonded over camping trips or park visits (or if you’re known to put the kibosh on your SO’s less-than-luxurious vacation designs), surprise him with an exciting day enjoying the great outdoors. You can either hit up a longtime favorite or test out a new location. ’Tis the season for hiking, fishing and cycling, after all.

2. Camp Out in the Backyard

If an overnight stay at a campsite is a little too ambitious and you want to keep things a more low-key, why not plan a family campout in the comfort of your dad’s backyard? Everyone will have easy access to indoor plumbing, you can fire up the grill for dinner and enjoy s’mores around a fire pit before heading to your tents. (From my experience, dads will love showing anyone who doesn’t already know how to properly pitch one.)

3. Play Lawn Games

If video games and board games aren’t your dad’s thing, take advantage of the beautiful spring weather and head to the backyard for a couple hours of bocce, croquet and cornhole, or any other assortment of lawn games you prefer. Depending on the size of the group, it might be key to opt for a variety of games so the guests at the celebration can rotate through different stations, but either way the friendly competition and fresh air is sure to be appreciated by all.

4. Garden Together

Grab a dad (or gramps) and put their green thumb to the test with a hands-on activity that involves sprucing up the backyard and planting a family garden. The household will surely benefit from the fresh herbs, veggies and fruits you plant and the resulting flower garden will spruce up the outdoor space, too. After all, Father’s Day is a perfect time of year to take on a new outdoor hobby.

I remember several stargazing trips my dad and I took together—usually timed to coincide with a meteor shower, but the night sky is always beautiful. Pack some sleeping bags, a camping grill and any other provisions you need; then, head to an area free of light pollution and search for constellations together while enjoying some pleasant conversation.

6. Spend a Day on the Beach

Chill in the sand during the day for a picnic lunch and plenty of sunshine, or go to the beach at nightfall for a bonfire gathering when the spot is quiet. Either way the fresh ocean air and carefree vibes will make for a special Father’s Day celebration.

7. Go Birdwatching

Birdwatching became a favorite pastime in the pandemic, but that doesn't mean you still can't partake. Take your favorite guy to a serene spot in the park and see what kinds of sky creatures you may run into. This is also a great opportunity to just check in, fill him in on everything that's going on with you and see how he's doing as well.

8. Pack a Picnic

Fix up a lunch of his favorite foods (hello, roast beef on rye) and enjoy a picnic outside in your local park, or stay closer to home and eat al fresco in the garden or the front yard.

9. Go Fishing

Historically, your old man’s favorite activity was filed in the ‘snoozefest’ category, but Father’s Day is a perfect occasion to give it another go. In fact, you might be surprised by how much all parties will enjoy the quiet connection that comes from being out on the water, just chatting and waiting for a whopper to bite.

Dads who are still mobile enough to cycle will have a blast joining their family members for a bike ride around town. You can stop at food trucks and ice cream parlors along the way or take the bikes off the beaten path for scenic views on nearby nature trails.

11. Play Pickleball

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, ping pong and badminton—and it’s a whole lot of fun to play and not that strenuous, so many older dads can get in on the activity. Best of all, it can be played as singles (two people) or doubles (four people) so it’s an easy way to get the whole family involved. (Pst: We’ve got some ideas for pickelball gear if he needs it.)

12. Go Rock Climbing

No, we’re not suggesting you take the whole family out into the wilderness to scale a cliff. That said, I have very fond memories of going to REI with my dad for camping gear and spending some time on the indoor rock climbing wall there. It was an activity we both enjoyed and a good workout to boot. If indoor rock climbing sounds like something your father would enjoy, I suggest checking out a local indoor climbing gym and spending some time on the walls before sitting down for a restorative lunch or dinner.

13. Take a Hike

If you’re not prepared to go all in on a full weekend of roughing it in a tent, don’t worry—we all have our limits, after all. Instead, pack a satisfying picnic spread and schedule a day hike for some invigorating physical activity and time spent in nature. Bonus points if you make the experience extra special by picking a hike that culminates in an amazing scenic view.

14. Visit a State or National Park

June is prime time for our nation’s many amazing parks, where the beaches are newly-opened and many activities resume. Whether you’re making a full-on Yosemite visit or simply hitting up a local state park, make sure to check in with a ranger about what’s on tap…and pack plenty of sunscreen.

Even if the dad in your life isn’t a hardcore sports fan, catching a random game can be a fun way to connect. Look for local basketball and soccer games, golf tournaments or horse races—all are pretty common in June. If you’re really not into tagging along, you can always buy tickets and coordinate with his friends, then catch up afterward.

16. Go Golfing

This 9-by-3-foot putting green boasts more than 15,000 five-star reviews. Let him show off his stroke while you hone your skills. Alternatively, you can take him to a nearby Top Golf where you can also grab some bites and drinks. Or you, know, just head out together to the local green.

17. Work Out Together

Keep your dad in tip-top shape by planning a run or bike ride other outdoor workout together. (Park or beach-side yoga anyone?) You’ll both reap the benefits of outdoor exercise, and will be ready for that well-deserved beer when you’re done.

18. Host a Sports Tournament

He’s always bragging about what a great hooper he was back in his heyday, so why not challenge that legendary athleticism? Go to the park or plan something in your backyard for a day of fun sporting activities. Think basketball, bocce ball, flag football and croquet, to name a few. And if the guest of honor is also your romantic partner, raise the stakes by allocating prizes—loser has to take out the garbage for the week or mow the lawn for the month.

19. Watch His Favorite Movie in the Backyard

Your dad never tires of waxing poetic about the Rocky franchise, or maybe it’s Shawshank Redemption…The point is that you’ve spent too many years tuning him out when he gushes about whatever film he fancies most. Make things right by setting up a projector screen in the backyard, serving up some finger foods and sitting (hopefully not suffering) through his longtime favorite flick. (If you need some suggestions, here are our editors’ top father’s day movie picks.)

20. Lend a Hand with an At-Home Project or Chore

If there’s a project your dad has been wanting to tackle—say, organizing the garage or cleaning out the tool shed—Father’s Day is a perfect occasion to lend a helping hand. You’ll have plenty of time to chat and bond while you work together to get the work done, and the gesture of helpfulness will not go unnoticed.

21. Host a Dinner Party

A good old fashioned dinner party is a lovely way to celebrate your dad on Father’s day—particularly if you manage to round up some of your dad’s oldest and closest friends for the occasion. If you’re not sure what to cook, we have some easy recipes to inspire you—and even a helpful service that will lighten your load.

22. Plan a Zoom Party

Hey, mamas aren’t the only ones who need some time with their pals to catch up. Plan a virtual Zoom party for your father and some of his favorite guys who can’t make it in person—brothers, co-workers, even that one friend from across the pond he hasn’t seen in a while.

23. Play a Video Game Together

Even if he isn’t the most technologically-savvy, we bet he can get on board with one of the many beginner-friendly options available (and the kids can surely teach him a thing or two, as well).

24. Share Some Memories

Make a greatest hits video of your family over the years and get everyone seated to watch it together. Make sure to play it on the big screen so everyone can see exactly how nervous you were at graduation. Cue the waterworks.

25. Sharpen Your DIY Skills

He’s the first person you call when you have to figure out how to hang up a picture frame. So why not let him teach you some skills? Pick a project you guys can work on together (like a birdhouse) and spend the day building your masterpiece.

26. Have a Movie Night

Let Dad pick the film (even if it’s some obscure historical documentary you have no interest in). Let him choose the snacks, too. Need a movie suggestion or two? Here are the best family movies of all time.

27. Make Him Breakfast in Bed

Waffle breakfast sandwich with chorizo. Maple candied bacon. Pizza-dough cinnamon rolls. All this and more in our roundup of the 62 best breakfast recipes.

28. Throw a Themed Party

If you want to go all out this year, throwing a full-blown party for your dad (or partner) and all his favorite people fits the bill. Bonus points if you can give it a theme based on one of his favorite things or something he’s known for—like asking everyone to show up wearing the loud golf polos he can’t resist or hosting a yacht rock-themed bash for the diehard Steely Dan fan, for example. Just remember: Go big or go home.

29. Host a Game Night

He taught you all his poker, Uno and Monopoly tricks, now it’s time to literally beat him at his own game. Odds are the student won’t become the master when it comes to card and board games with Pa, but you’ll have a ton of fun trying to out weasel him, that’s for sure. (That said, I can beat my dad at chess with my eyes closed and we both still enjoy the activity regardless of the outcome.)

This one can go one of two ways—you and your siblings either recreate the play you painstakingly wrote, starred and directed in the summer of 1999 or have your kids put on a performance for grandpa and dad. Either way, there's bound to be plenty of laughs. Just don't forget to film the event.

35. Fire Up the Grill

Let Dad try out those new barbecue tools that you just gifted him and offer up these yummy BBQ side recipes to boot. You’ll be looking at one very happy grill-master when all is said and done.

36. Take a Cooking Class

He makes the world’s best burgers, but that doesn’t mean he can’t pick up a few new tricks. MasterClass offers online classes featuring some of the world's greatest chefs like Gordon Ramsey, Thomas Keller and Alice Waters.

Long before you were old enough to hit up karaoke bars, Dad was your first singing partner. Curate a playlist full of your favorite hits from back in the day and take a nice car ride like the old times. Songs like Luther Vandross’ “Dance with My Father,” and Bruce Springsteen’s “My Father’s House” are sure to bring tears to his eyes.

41. Treat Him to a Shopping Spree

You used to do damage to his credit card and now it’s his turn. Does he need to update his toolkit? Some new comfy sweats? A nice spring coat? Or maybe he just wants to splurge your dollars on a fancy leaf blower. Either way, let him go crazy (but not too crazy) with your money for a change. Dads don’t ask for much, so it’s always nice when the bill is on you. (Psst: Nudge him toward this list of best gifts for dad if he doesn’t know where to start.)

42. Plan a Guy’s Day

Speaking of spending time with the fellas, if moms out there are dying for some alone time, we can only imagine dads feel the same. So why not scoop the kids for a day, order his favorite foods and let your love hang out with people who can string full sentences together for an afternoon? Or if he just wants some alone time, let him spend the day by himself too.

43. Take a Stroll Down Memory Lane

Queue up the home videos or bust out the photo albums; if you’re feeling ambitious you can even prepare a montage. Either way, this Father’s Day activity is sure to make everyone at the celebration a little misty-eyed whilst bringing the whole brood closer to dad.

44. Go Antiquing

If your dad is the kind who likes to collect historical items and tchotchkes, a day of antiquing fits the bill. Make a road trip out of it and visit a nearby town that’s known for its antique stores, or simply hit up a local flea market—either way, you’re sure to discover some treasure that will make his Father’s Day extra special.

Friendly competition, a lively atmosphere, prizes and entertainment galore—there are so many reasons why a visit to the arcade promises a fun-filled Father’s Day. Best of all, it’s a nostalgic activity so dad will get to feel like he’s bonding with his kids, whether they’re fully grown or still young.

46. Do a Jigsaw Puzzle

If you’re looking for a low-key Father’s Day activity that can be enjoyed at home, this one fits the bill. Pick an extra large puzzle if you’re feeling ambitious and dad will also benefit from the promise of you returning to complete the undertaking even once the holiday has passed.

There are few things more memorable than experiencing live music by an artist you really love. Snag some tix to his favorite band, call up a babysitter if necessary and enjoy a music-filled night to remember with your old man and/or hubby.