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50 Family Father's Day Activities to Make His Day Special

Many of these Father's Day ideas can be pulled together last-minute and done at home.

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How do you repay someone who’s given you everything? When it comes to celebrating dear old dad, the best thing about Father’s Day is giving back some of the time he's given to you over the years. If you’re wondering how to show dad some extra love on June 18 this year, try planning something that you can do together. Our list of the best Father's Day ideas includes activities for every kind of dad.

You can hike at your favorite trail, watch a Father’s Day movie, tackle a DIY project, or go on a picnic. Whether you are celebrating your own dad, grandpa, stepdad, father-in-law, uncle, or son who's a dad himself, figuring out what to do for Father's Day 2023 will be a breeze with these ideas — even if you are planning something at the last minute.

If you still want to get dad a gift, go ahead. There are more than a few unique Father's Day gifts, easy Father's Day crafts, and even printable Father's Day cards you can download at home to save time (and money). Pair with any of the following fun Father's Day activities, and you're sure to make dad's day this year.

1

Go Paint Balling

father's day ideas paintball
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Paint balling is a colorful and competitive way to spend the afternoon with dad. Last man standing wins, but dad still gets to decide where to go for dinner.

2

Go Stargazing

fun things to do with dad stargazing as a family
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Get out the telescope or simply lie down on the grass and gaze up at the night sky. See if you can catch a shooting star. Then trace the season's constellations.

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3

Catch Fireflies

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June means firefly season. Head out at dusk when these little lightning bugs are most active. You can catch a few in a glass jar but don't forget to let them back out at the end of the night.

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4

Build a Pillow Fort

father's day ideas build a pillow fort
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Dads can make some pretty elaborate pillow forts. Test dad's skills and help him build the ultimate pillow fort. Once you're done, climb on in to do some cozy reading.

5

Tackle a DIY Project

father's day ideas tackle a diy project at home
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Tackling a DIY project can be fun if you do it as a family. Whether it's painting a room or building a bird house, working together is a great way to spend Father's Day.

6

Make a New Playlist

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Treat dad to the ultimate playlist featuring some of his favorite songs plus a few new ones that you know he'll like. Put some thought into it and print out a song list with the reasons why you chose each one.

RELATED: Best Father’s Day Songs to Dedicate to Dad

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7

Set Up a Science Experiment

two children near a creek doing a science experiment
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Kids are notorious for asking a ton of questions. Answer some of them with a family science project. Together you can learn about chemical reactions, photosynthesis, and more.

8

Start a New Collection

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Whether dad collects stamps, coins, or another hard-to-find item, help him dig up some new material for his collection. If he doesn't, think about starting a new one that can become a Father's Day tradition, like seashells, model cars, or coffee mugs.

9

Go Shopping

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Take dad on a mini shopping spree. Dads are always hard to shop for but if he picks out his own gift, he's sure to love it.

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10

Learn More About Your Family Tree

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Whether you go through a family photo album or do some research on Ancestry.com, sit down with dad and learn more about his family. Who knows, you just might learn something new.

11

Do Some Gardening

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Spending time in the garden is a relaxing way to spend Father's Day. Plant some new flowers, herbs, or vegetables. Don't forget the cold drinks and sunblock.

12

See Live Music

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Take dad to a good old-fashioned rock concert, or live music event of his choice so he can jam out to his favorite tunes. No time for a concert? If your child plays an instrument, treat dad to a live living room concert.

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13

Volunteer Together

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Giving back feels good. Make it a family affair by volunteering at a local charity on Father's Day. It might just become a tradition.

14

Participate In a Scavenger Hunt

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Prep your own scavenger hunt for dad. Give him a list of items, then let him loose in his own house or around the neighborhood. Let the last item on the list be a Father's Day present.

15

Complete a Jigsaw Puzzle

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Sit down and work on a jigsaw puzzle with dad. There are so many to choose from online that you can definitely find one in a subject he likes.

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16

Have a Water Balloon Fight

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As the weather starts to heat up, you'll need a way to cool down. Challenge dad to a water balloon fight and let the fun begin.

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17

Make a Scrapbook

what to do for fathers day page from a scrapbook of father and on fixing a bike
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Sure, Dad could probably scroll through Facebook or Instagram and marvel at his favorite family photos. And yes, digital picture frames are certainly a thing. But sometimes, there's nothing better than putting together a one-of-a-kind scrapbook that highlights your family in all their hilarious, goofy, loving glory. Dad will no doubt love picking out his favorite pictures and writing descriptions of some of his favorite family memories.

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RELATED: 20 Scrapbooking Ideas to Honor Your Memories In Style

18

Take a Music Class

what to do for father's day father and son playing the guitar
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Maybe your dad isn't ready to leave his garage band playing days in the past. Or maybe he has always wanted to learn to play the piano or the guitar. Either way, if your dad is the musical type, he would no doubt love the opportunity to learn how to play a new instrument or perfect his musical skills.

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19

Take a Virtual Cooking Class

what to do for father's day father and two kids watching virtual cooking class on laptop in kitchen
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If Dad is a foodie, he'll love this. Airbnb offers Online Experiences that you can enjoy from your own home, so he and the kids can learn to make Mexican street tacos with a professional chef or pasta with an Italian grandma.

20

Have a Backyard Movie Night

what to do for father's day dad and daughter watching movie in the backyard
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Make it a special occasion by setting up a projector and big screen to give Dad the cinema experience in the comfort of his own backyard. We promise, the kids will love this idea, too.

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RELATED: How to DIY the Best Backyard Movie Night Ever

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Christina Montoya Fiedler

Christina Montoya Fiedler is a Los Angeles-based freelancer with over 15 years of experience writing for online publications. Her work can be seen in Good Housekeeping and Woman's Day, where she covers everything from gift guides to personal essays. She holds a B.A. in English from Chapman University and is working toward her Early Childhood Education teaching credentials. She is proud to be of Native American (Ohkay Owingeh) and Mexican American descent.

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Elizabeth Berry
Updates Editor

Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.

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