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61 Best Father's Day Activities to Make Dad's Day Extra Special

He can spend the day relaxing alone or trying something new that's fun for the whole family.

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The dads in your life deserve a Father's Day that's all about them. That's why we've rounded up more than 60 ideas for the best Father's Day activities, whether your dad wants a relaxed day at home, a special Father's Day dinner, or an outdoor adventure.

These ideas can be tailored specifically to your father, grandpa, stepdad, or whoever you're celebrating on Father's Day. We've got ideas that are family-friendly, as well as some more adventurous ideas for teens and adult children who want to celebrate their dads. From creative Father's Day craft classes to unique experiences like driving a racecar, there's sure to be something here that ensures your dad has a memorable Father's Day.

1

Go on a DIY food tour.

fathers day activities diy food tour
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Celebrate Dad with a day that's full of his favorite foods. You can make it your goal to try a slice of pepperoni pizza at every slice shop in your city, visit a ton of bakeries and try something new at each one, or come up with another itinerary that's perfect for your dad.

2

Host a dinner party for him and his pals.

best fathers day activities dinner party
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If he's like most adults, he doesn't get to see his friends as often as he would like to. For Father's Day, invite his friends and their families over for a casual dinner party where everyone can spend some quality time together. We've got plenty of ideas for what to make for dinner, or you can order his favorite takeout.

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3

Make a family photo collage together.

fathers day activities make a family photo collage
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So many of our sweetest family photos live in our phones. Why not print some out and make a collage with them for Father's Day? Dad will love reliving some of the fun times you've had together. You could even take it a step further and surprise him by reaching out to his parents or siblings in search of photos from his childhood to add to the piece. He'll be truly touched, and he'll have a new piece of art for his office or other space.

4

Take him to a comedy show.

fathers day activities comedy show
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If your dad loves to laugh at comedy specials on Netflix, why not take him to a stand-up comedy show for Father's Day? Some venues and shows are age-restricted, but there are plenty of all-ages comedy shows that everyone can enjoy, including the younger members of your family.

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5

Have a family video game tournament.

fathers day activities video game tournament
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If your dad is all about video games, celebrate Father's Day with a family video game tournament. Since it's Father's Day, you should probably let him win!

6

Play a game of pickleball.

fathers day activities pickleball
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If your dad has gotten in on the pickleball craze, he'd probably love to play a round with the family for Father's Day. Find out where he usually plays and if you need to reserve a time slot ahead of time.

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7

Take a creative class together.

fathers day activities leatherworking
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In many areas, you and your dad can take unique one-day classes like leathercrafting, glassblowing or woodworking. At the end of it, Dad will have a fun memento like a leather wallet, paperweight, or handcrafted side table to remember this Father's Day.

8

Give him some much-needed solo time.

fathers day activities time alone
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There are plenty of Reddit threads where people ask men what they really want for Father's Day. Many dads especially those with young children shared that they would love to have a few quiet hours where no one is asking for anything. So take the kids out and let him sleep in, or take them somewhere else for the afternoon so he can have a few hours of alone time. He'll be beyond thrilled, and you'll return home to a relaxed, happy dad.

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9

Take a road trip.

dad and daughter singing while riding in a car
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Pile the family into the car, crank up the tunes and take the scenic route. Whether your destination is the beach or your dad's favorite national park, this trip will definitely create a lasting memory.

10

Bake him a homemade dessert.

a father and daughter laughing while making cookies
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The perfect cure for any sweet tooth is a perfectly decadent treat. Whether your dad is a brownie guy or loves a good pie, the way his face lights up will be priceless when you present him with his favorite dessert made with love.

RELATED: Father's Day Cakes That Will Satisfy His Sweet Tooth

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11

Build a campfire.

father daughter campfire
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End his Father's Day on a sweet note by roasting marshmallows over the fire. As people are eating their s'mores, ask everyone in the circle to share their fondest memories with Dad or Grandpa. It'll make this moment even sweeter.

RELATED: Best Campfire Recipes to Mix up Your Camping Menu

12

Plan a family workout.

father and daughter stretching during jogging
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Even if you'd rather spend your Sunday lounging on the couch, Father's Day is a time to do whatever your dad loves most — even if it's working out. Skip the gym and hit the trails or jog along the water. Or if the weather isn't in your favor, let him choose an at-home workout that you can do right in your living room.

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13

Take an online cooking class.

happy smiling african family  in aprons cooking and kneading dough on wooden table
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Since Father's Day falls on a Sunday, there may not be too many in-person cooking classes to attend. If you find that to be true, sign up for a virtual cooking class instead. Introduce your dad to some of the world's finest cuisines with one of Airbnb's online experiences or stick with something more traditional, like an air fryer-focused class taught by Craftsy experts.

14

Get your karaoke on.

father son karaoke activity
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Crank up his favorite tunes, pass the mic, and watch him bring down the house with his serious karaoke skills. Bonus points if your dad busts out his dance moves while he's on stage a.k.a. your living room floor.

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

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15

Serve dad an all-star brunch.

things to do on fathers day   brunch
Mike Garten

The best way to start off Father's Day? A table full of Dad's favorite brunch recipes, of course. Wow him with an all-star spread of waffles, eggs and fruit — and don't forget the coffee and OJ!

RELATED: Father’s Day Brunch Recipes to Make Dad Feel Extra Special

16

Have a family game night.

family playing board game
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This year, let Dad lean into his competitive side during a family game night by playing classics like Jenga, charades or Monopoly. If Dad loves trivia and brain-teasers, you can even host a family trivia night!

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17

Host a wine tasting.

cropped hands of male friends toasting wine at tasting room
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For all wine-loving dads, the ultimate treat on Father's Day is an at-home wine-tasting event. Complete a selection of the best wines with a beautiful spread of cheeses and grapes, along with a scorecard to keep track of all the wines he's tasting.

18

Craft together.

dad and son painting
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Encourage everyone in the family to get creative by making crafts fit for the holiday. While you can always go for something that'll double as a gift for Dad, we're pretty sure he'd love to get his hands in the paint, too.

RELATED: Father's Day Crafts That Make the Perfect Gift

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19

Pack up a backyard picnic.

picnic basket
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Here's an easy way to impress Dad on his special day: Pack up some sandwiches, grab a blanket and then head out to your backyard for a family picnic. He'll definitely enjoy the sunshine and some fun backyard games, especially with all his favorite people around him.

20

Pamper him with a spa day.

laughing senior man in bathrobe sitting in armchair
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Dads deserve some pampering, too! Turn your home into a relaxing spa by lighting candles and playing soothing music. If you or your kids aren't great at giving messages, give him a gift basket full of self-care goodies, including shaving creams, lotions and soaps.

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Jamie Ballard
Contributing Writer

Jamie Ballard (she/her) is a freelance writer and editor who covers news, lifestyle, and entertainment topics, including sex and relationships, TV, movies, books, health, pets, food and drinks, pop culture, shopping, and personal finance. She regularly contributes to Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, and YouGov, among other publications. When she’s not working, you can find her running, traveling, or scrolling TikTok. Follow her on Twitter.

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Cameron Jenkins
Staff Writer

Cameron (she/her) is a staff writer for Good Housekeeping, where she covers everything from holidays to food. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she received a B.A. in magazine journalism. In her spare-time she can be found scrolling TikTok for the latest cleaning hacks and restaurant openings, binge-watching seasons of Project Runway or online shopping.

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