What To Do with Dad: Activity and Gift Ideas for Father’s Day

Coming up with the perfect Father’s Day activity or gift idea might seem difficult. I believe dads should be celebrated on Father’s Day for all the time, effort, love and patience they’ve shown and dedicated to their families. And, even though many dads – my dad being one of them – will play it down and insist they don’t want to do anything, I know from personal experience most appreciate being acknowledged and admired on the day that’s dedicated to them.  And, if you have a national day dedicated to celebrating you, why not celebrate it?

Here are some ideas of activities or gifts you can create to celebrate your dad:  

For the new dads

If this is his first Father’s Day, do something meaningful so he has special memories from his first year of being a dad other than changing diapers and getting no sleep.

• Make a scrapbook of memorable firsts – first hugs, kiss and first time holding the baby.
• Provide room service for a day – give him a break from the diaper changes and a chance to catch up on sleep.

For the sporty dads
If your dad loves all things sports, try to do something active together.  

• If you both like the same sport – play it together! Maybe your whole family enjoys it or you have friends and their dads who enjoy it, too.  Set up a pick-up game and then go out to eat afterwards.  
• If your dad likes to watch sports – watch it with him! Check to see if there’s a game coming up on ESPN and plan a little watch party.  
• Other options include camping, playing paintball, mini golf, hiking, batting cages, or going outside and kicking a soccer ball around. 

For the adventurous dads
If your dad enjoys exploring, take him somewhere new and exciting! There are tons of free things to do and interesting places to see in Houston.  

• Drive downtown – there are tons of interesting places, sculptures and restaurants to visit. For example, consider paddling at Discovery Green, walking along one of the bayous, or eating and shopping at The Shops at Houston Center. 
• Take your dad on a day trip. Some ideas include Brazos Bend State Park, Galveston (consider Moody Gardens), Lake Conroe and Brenham. 
• Another new, interesting activity is iPic Theaters that recently opened on Westheimer. 

For the artsy dads
If your dad enjoys creating things: 

• Take him to paint/create pottery
• Put together a collage of all your favorite memories together – this will be something he can cherish forever.
• Making matching mugs at a pottery place – this is something he can take to the office or use at home in the mornings.
• Consider taking him to The Museum of Fine Arts, Contemporary Arts Museum or The Menil Collection.

For the hungry dads
If your dad seems to love food almost as much as (maybe even more than) he loves you, take him out to eat! Do something food-oriented so he can spend time with the two things he loves most in life.

• Find somewhere new to try together. 
• Take him to a cooking class for a fun, interactive and tasty experience. Central Market offers cooking classes. 
• Spend a day cooking with your dad at home – there are tons of recipes out there waiting to be used. Organic, vegetarian, healthy and unhealthy – all are available. 

For the grumpy dads
If your dad is the kind of dad who always has something to grouch about, try focusing on activities that will keep him busy and laughing. 

• Think back or ask a family member what he liked to do when he was younger – plan out the activity and help him remember his good old days.
• Everyone has a hobby or a passion – figure out his and do it with him or let him tell you about it. Maybe this includes woodwork, collecting things or playing chess. 
• Some other activities you could try include watching his favorite old movies with him or listening to his favorite music with him. You could even try playing the Wii with him.  

For the hands-on dads
If your dad always has some sort of grease or dirt stain on his shirt, don’t be afraid to get dirty for a day!  

• Conduct little experiments – back in the day many dads, as little boys, experimented and caused things to explode. Ask you dad to teach you all the fun, mischievous things he did as a kid. Mom might not like this one though.
• Go fishing – fishing is a classic way to pass time. Whether the fish are biting or not, you get one-on-one time with your dad.   
• Go hunting – rise and shine! Get up early to go hunting with your dad. Shooting is also another fun option. 

I would say my dad, Papa John, is a well-rounded dad. He loves sports, inappropriate jokes, (trying to play) golf and a good carrot cake. However, when it comes to gifts, he doesn’t like surprises, but prefers to make PowerPoint slides of the things he wants.

Every year around Christmas I receive an email titled “John’s Christmas List.” I understand the struggle of finding a surprise for your dad. And so, it has become tradition that every Father’s Day my mother and I bake him a carrot cake and I get to surprise him with a theme. Last year’s theme on the cake was golf. 

There are many other types of dads out there – those were only a handful, but in the end, no matter what type of dad you have, I believe the most important thing is just to spend time with him. Father’s Day is his day and he’s definitely earned it. 

What kind of dad is your dad? What is his favorite activity to do on Father’s Day? Comment below! 

Find unique Father’s Day gift ideas in our gift guide.