Father's Day comes just once a year, and while you can celebrate your dad the other 364 days, it's especially important to let him know just how much he matters on the one day set aside just for him.
Whether you're recognizing a dad, stepdad, grandfather, husband or other special guy on June 16, you may be contemplating what to do in honor of the big day and, fortunately, we've got a collection of Father's Day activities to help you decide.
Whether he loves the great outdoors and activities like hiking or fishing, or if he's the type who prefers to stay home and chill out, we've got suggestions for pretty much every kind of dad there is.
In this compilation of fun things to do on Father's Day, you'll find activities like building a model, taking a woodworking class, stargazing, golfing, beaching it and, well, pretty much everything else you can think of, along with a variety of new activities to help inspire your plans.
While a Father's Day card or thoughtful gesture is always sweet, the best gift is really time spent with you and, thankfully, many of these ideas provide just that.
Better yet, many of them involve the whole family and include activities for just about every age group, so no one feels left out of the celebration.
With so many to choose from, you'll have no problem finding something that suits the special man in your life. So, read on and get ready make some memories this Father's Day.
Best Father's Day Activities
Spend a day at the beach
You don’t need to live near the ocean to enjoy a day on the shore. Grab a lounge chair, pack a lunch and head to the nearest beach or lake for a leisurely day of lounging in the sun.
Try axe throwing
Channel your dad's inner lumberjack this Father's Day and take him axe throwing. An old-timey sport that's enjoyed a resurgence in recent years, axe-throwing outlets are cropping up just about everywhere. Test his skills, precision and sportsmanship with this fun and challenging pastime. While the littlest ones in your crew may have to sit this one out, older kids, teens and adults are sure to have a blast.
Make music
Is your dad or hubby a musician at heart? Foster his love of music by arranging a jam session. Whether it’s inviting friends or former bandmates over, get the guys (or gals) together and play songs to their heart’s content. Or get the family involved by passing out instruments to help Dad rock out to his favorite tunes.
Volunteer your time
There's no better way to spend time together than volunteering for a cause that's near and dear to his heart. Sign up for a shift at a local food bank or animal shelter, or join a community project like collecting litter or cleaning up a local beach. Not only will it afford you time with your important guy, you'll also feel good about contributing to an important cause while you're at it.
Make him breakfast or brunch
Whether it's scrambled eggs and hash or stuffed French toast, make your dad his favorite breakfast for Father's Day. Serve it up either in bed or break out the nice dishes, cloth napkins and have a nice sit-down meal together. Better yet, invite the whole family or his closest friends and make a day of it.
Rent a sports car
If your special guy loves hitting the open road and has always dreamt of driving a fancy-schmancy sports car, make his dream come true by renting one for the day. Many car rental companies offer high-end vehicles including convertibles and other sleek rides. Reserve one and join him in racking up the miles.
Take a woodworking class
There's something about crafting something from wood that's so rewarding. Whether your guy is already a master carpenter or just interested in learning more about the skill, attend a local woodworking class or sign up for one online. Even if he just ends up making a footstool or chopping board, it's a fun project and he gets to keep the fruit of his hard work as a sweet Father's Day memory.
Try geocaching
Take your dad, grandfather, hubby or any other special guy on a treasure hunt for Father's Day. One of the easiest ways to do it is geocaching. The hobby requires participants to use an app or GPS device to find hundreds of thousands of hidden caches all over the world. Map out a plan, then set out to find the stashes. Once you've discovered your buried "treasure," sign your name in the attached logbook before returning the container to its hiding place before moving on to your next search.
Build a model
Remember the days of carefully making a miniature car, tank, rocket or other model kit? Your dad probably does, too, and would likely love to make one again. Order a kit online or head to the hobby store to find the project that suits him best. If you've got the time, join him in the project. After all, time spent together on Father's Day is the best gift you can give your dad.
Visit an escape room
If you haven't gone to an escape room, there's no time like Father's Day to give one a try. Test your dad's skills and smarts by taking him on one these challenging adventures. There are a variety of themes to choose from like a prison break, museum heist, treasure hunt and so many more. Get the whole family in on the act and the gang is guaranteed to have a blast.
Create a man cave
Does your dad have a space all his own? If not, help him make a man cave where he can retreat to watch all his favorite shows on TV or tinker around without worrying about messing up the throw pillows. No need to have a spare room or basement, just a spot or corner where he can kick back and chill.
Attend a concert
Whether Dad loves good ol' rock 'n' roll or quiet classical, find a local venue that offers music and plan an outing. No worries if you're strapped for cash: With so many towns offering free outdoor concerts during the summer months, just do a little homework and chances are pretty good you'll find one nearby.
Visit a sports and leisure store
Support his favorite pastime by taking him to a nearby sports and leisure store and let him pick out a few new accessories. Fishing lures? Golf tees? New hiking shoes? He knows what he could use and you'll have fun just meandering around. Who knows, maybe in the process the two of you will discover a new hobby you can take up together.
Plan a photo shoot
If your father is an erstwhile photographer, plan a field trip to one or more Instagram-worthy spots in the area so he can add some new content to his photo library. Think nature preserve, hiking trail, historic landmark, local park, scenic vista ... the possibilities are endless. Pack a lunch or go out for dinner after to complete the perfect day.
Seek out some stars
Every night the sky becomes a majestic blanket of sparkling stars. On Father's Day (or any other clear night) take your pop to a park, field or out to the backyard to do some stargazing. Pro tip: To read star charts without blinding everyone, make a night-friendly light by placing a piece of red cellophane on the end of a flashlight using a rubber band to hold it in place.
Hit the track
Does your dad have a need for speed? Let him put the pedal to the metal by taking him kart racing at a local track. Since the odds are pretty good that he'll never cross the finish line at the Daytona 500 (but, hey, you never know), let him experience the next best thing with you by his side or waving him on from the sidelines.
Go golfing
Dads and golf go together like, well, dads and golf. You can't go wrong being his caddy for the day while he practices his chip shot on the fairway. Not much of a golfer? No worries, miniature golf is a blast and an activity the whole family can join in on.
Plan a fishing trip
Catching fish is usually less important than the time spent out on the water taking in the scenery and enjoying the great outdoors. Whether you nab a couple for dinner or just toss back a few beers while hanging out with your dad, you can't go wrong taking him fishing on Father's Day.
Invent a Dad-inspired cocktail
Take Father's Day to the next level by giving your father, grandpa, stepdad, father-in-law, husband or any other special guy a cocktail of his very own. Moscow Mule? Spiced Old-Fashioned? Spicy Margarita? Whatever his preferred drink is, he'll love it even more when you give a fun name and customize it just for him. Dad-tini, anyone?
Soar through the skies
If he's got an adventurous soul, Dad will love a day of zip lining. Just about every state offers the thrilling activity, whether it's at an adventure park or flying over mountain tops. All you need to do is find the one that is best suited to your father and harness up for a fun day of soarin'.
DIY a barbecue sauce recipe
Dads love the grill. Steak, hamburgers, hotdogs ... whatever it is, if the barbie's fired up, your father is sure to be right there supervising. Customize this year's backyard barbecue with your own homemade sauce. Better yet, collaborate with your father on the recipe. Make enough for everyone, jar and label it, and, voila, you have your very own Father's Day sauce.
Throw a surprise party
Surprise parties aren't just for birthdays. Send out invites and gather his best pals or family members for an impromptu get-together. He'll love seeing all his favorite people in one place.
Build a birdhouse
Spend the day building a birdhouse together either from scratch or using an easy DIY kit. Along with encouraging his favorite fowl to nest nearby, the time you spend working together on the project is sure to leave you with lasting memories.
Play pickleball
Think tennis meets ping pong, and you've got the latest sports craze taking over the country. Pickleball courts are popping up everywhere, so find one near you and take Dad for a fun day out in the sun.
Host Father's Day dinner
Sometimes simple is the best way to go. For the guy who enjoys hanging out at home, make his favorite dinner or try a new Father's Day dinner recipe to shake things up. Wrap up the day by watching a dad-inspired movie or taking him out for ice cream.
Host an at-home wine tasting
Pick up a few bottles of vino — white, red, rosé, you name it — and organize a tasting for your wine-loving dad. Pass out scorecards, so everyone can rate the pours (and you can remember their favorites for future gifts).
Build a fort
Make him feel like a kid again by building a fort for Father’s Day. If you’re up to the task, install a shed. After all, everyone knows that sheds are really just forts for grown-ups. For a temporary solution, throw sheets and blankets over a few chairs and call it a day.
Visit an arcade
Almost everyone does their gaming at home these days, which is what makes going to the arcade such a blast. He’ll be reminded of his childhood playing pinball, Pac-Man or another not-so-forgotten favorite.
Rent a boat or kayak
If you’re lucky enough to own a kayak or boat, there’s no better day to take it out — weather-permitting, of course. Otherwise, find a local place with available rentals, so you can spend Father's Day out on the water.
Create a backyard leisure zone
Sometimes, staycations are the ultimate escape. All you need to make the backyard feel like an island getaway is a lawn chair, cool drink (umbrella included) and playlist of his favorite songs. Throw in a kiddie pool for good measure.
Have a campout
June is the perfect time to plan a campout under the stars, whether it's in his backyard or at a nearby park. One thing's for sure: He’ll enjoy telling stories around the fire and spending time with you in the great outdoors.
Ice cream sundae bar
There’s nothing dads like more than ice cream. Nothing. Assemble a sweet spread, complete with an assortment of ice cream flavors and toppings. Hand him a super-size bowl and spoon, then let him eat to his heart’s content.
Host a backyard movie night
Transform your backyard into a movie theater. Pick up an outdoor projector or rent one from a local rental store, so you can get a taste of under-the-stars viewings before you make the splurge. Once you’ve got everything sorted out, invite the neighbors, pop some corn and press play.
Take a road trip
Dads just love hitting the open road. It’s in their DNA. Whether you’ve got the time for an extended vacation or just a single day, hop in the car and head out for a drive. Like the old saying goes, "Life is about the journey, not the destination."
Go to a baseball game
It's baseball season! Find a game to attend, whether it's the majors, minors or just the local softball league playing down the street. A game’s still a game, no matter where it’s played.
Take a trip down memory lane
Where there’s a dad, there’s a story. Ask him to take you to all of his most cherished spots: the house where he grew up, the restaurant he worked at in high school, the place where he first locked eyes with your mom and so on. It's really a gift for the both of you: He’ll get to relive old times and you'll learn something new about his past.
Help with a project or errand
Lend him a helping hand with one of the many projects on his to-do list. Whether he needs help cleaning the basement or finally tackling the pile of recycling, your assistance will be the greatest gift of all.
Take him to a deli
The only thing Dad loves more than ice cream is a Dagwood sandwich. Swing by your local deli for lunch or if you want to make a game out of it, visit a few different locations to find the best sandwich in town.
Go to an antique fair or flea market
Waxing nostalgic is one of dad’s favorite pastimes. With summer in full swing, there are plenty of flea markets and antique shows to attend that’ll help him relive the past. He’ll love examining old gadgets and looking through found items from days gone by.
Foster his green thumb
Take him to a local nursery or garden center and pick out something to plant. It can be as simple as a potted flower or more time-consuming, like a vegetable garden. Either way, you’ll get to watch it grow and remember time spent together.
Explore history
Do some homework and find a new historical site to visit, ranging from victorian homes to colonial forts to national parks. Every state has its own unique history, along with a collection of designated landmarks waiting to be explored.
Attend an air show
If “Top Gun” is his favorite film, then an air show is a must-do. Depending on where you live, there's a good chance that you'll find one within driving distance. Don't forget to bring your camera!
Go bird-watching
Even if he's not the outdoorsy type, he'll enjoy spending a day (okay, an hour or two) in nature. Grab a pair of binoculars, head outside and try to decode what you're seeing by looking through the National Audubon Society's guides.
Watch old videos
Dig up old tapes out of the basement and watch them all over again. You’ll laugh and cry reliving some of your family's most cherished memories.
Host a multigenerational meal
If your family members happen to live nearby, gather them together for a special backyard barbecue. Dads, grandfathers, uncles and brothers will enjoy reconnecting and it’s the perfect opportunity to take that long-overdue family photo.
Take a (new) hike
Going for a hike on Father’s Day is standard fare, which is why it’s time to shake things up and find a completely new trail to blaze. Pack a picnic lunch to make a day of it.
Make homemade pasta
If he's never made pasta from scratch, Father's Day is the perfect time to give it a try. First things first: Give him a pasta maker with the attachments to make his favorite pasta type (think: ravioli and gnocchi). It's totally up to you whether you go the distance and make homemade sauce or settle for the jarred variety.
Play lawn games
Take the Father's Day celebration outside and play a couple rounds of croquet, frisbee and badminton. A warning: These games may bring out his — and everyone else's — competitive side.
Dance the day away
Make a playlist of songs that are guaranteed to get him moving and grooving. Crank up the tunes and convince the whole family to join in on the fun. The best part: Everyone can participate and it doesn't cost a dime.
Visit a brewery or vineyard
If he enjoys his spirits, take dad to a microbrewery or vineyard to see what goes into making his beverage of choice. Test a few samples before leaving or stay for the afternoon to give you ample time to enjoy a glass or two.
Try a new recipe
Dad doesn’t have to be a chef to enjoy cooking. Start by finding a dish you’d both like to try, then pick up all the ingredients at the store. You can be the sous chef and do all the prep work, while he makes the magic happen on the stove. If it doesn’t work out, there’s always takeout.
Plan a scavenger hunt
Everyone likes a treasure hunt, including dad. Stash found items from around the house or, better yet, his Father’s Day gifts, then hand him a treasure map to track them down. He’ll love the challenge of finding the items, one by one.
Host a movie marathon
Even if you’ve seen them all before, binge all of his favorite movies from sunrise to sundown on Father's Day. All the better if instead of sunny skies, Father's Day weekend is an absolute washout.
Bust out the board games
Puzzling or playing a quiet game of backgammon is exactly the kind of chill activity dad needs to decompress after a busy week. Round up a bunch of his go-to games — a mix of puzzles, board games and card games — and let him choose what's on the agenda for the day.
Wash the car
Your dad is very particular about his car. Lend him a helping hand to make this monthly — or in his case, weekly — task less of a chore. A sudsy bucket of soap, a sponge and some old-school tunes are sure to make it a top ten day.
Check out a new restaurant
It’s easy to get stuck in the same old routine, especially when it comes to eating out. Do some research and find a new spot to help shake things up. Who knows, it just might become a new family tradition.
Attend a car show
Not all dads care for cars, but for the ones who do, a car show is the perfect Father’s Day activity. He can spend his day admiring all the classic and vintage vehicles on display, while you enjoy the food, music and other offerings at the show.
Go shopping
He's not always down to go shopping — unless it’s for something he actually likes. Skip the mall and head over to an electronics store, hobby shop or other niche retailer instead. You might be surprised to learn just how much he does like shopping after all.
Sarah Lemire
Sarah is a lifestyle and entertainment reporter for TODAY who covers holidays, celebrities and everything in between.