Many people are trying to find the perfect gift for their dad on Father’s Day. But, you don’t need to spend a fortune or go to a store to get the ideal gift for him (although, if you need a last-minute Father’s Day gift, we’ve got you covered there too)!
Instead, there are many ways you can surprise your dad on Father’s Day. In this article, we’ll discuss some great ideas on outings you can do for Father’s Day!
Participate in His Favorite Hobby
Often, fathers have to do their hobbies by themselves. Wouldn’t it be remarkable if he had someone he cared about to spend some time doing his favorite hobby with him? For example, if he is into fishing, take him out and have him teach you how to fish. Or maybe he likes playing golf, then take him to the driving range and have him show you how to hit those long drives.
Going on a Hike
If you want to give your dad something special, then hiking together would be great. It’s a fun activity that will allow you two to bond and enjoy nature. Plus, it’s a great way to burn calories and stay fit.
Go Golfing
If your dad loves to play golf, then why not join him at the course? Now, if you’re as bad at golf as I am, it might be better to go to a driving range and see if he can teach you a thing or two.
Try Kayaking
Kayaking is another fun outdoor activity that allows you to explore nature while enjoying each other’s company. This is an excellent activity for bonding over. Plus, there’s nothing like floating down a river with your dad.
Go Fishing
Fishing is one of those activities that bring back memories of childhood. It’s relaxing and fun, but it can also be quite challenging. It’s not a bad skill to have under your belt either!
Go on a Bike Ride
Does your dad love getting on his bike and riding for miles on end? Then why not go on a nice bike ride with him? It’ll be like old times, except now, he won’t be running behind you, holding onto your bike’s seat.
Show Dad Some New Hobbies
You’re never too old to find something new to enjoy! Are there any hobbies he has always wanted to do but never found the time to try? For example, does he binge-watch woodworking videos but has never held a trim router? Now’s the time to help him take the next step.
Boating
Have you ever heard the phrase it’s better to have a friend with a boat than to own a boat? Lucky for you, you can hire people to take you out on boats. Whether it’s a dolphin tour, an evening dinner cruise, or a chartered fishing vessel. There are tons of ways to get dad out on the water.
Go Paddleboarding
If you want to give Dad something he will love, then why not take him paddle boarding? It’s a fun way to enjoy the outdoors together. Don’t worry, you don’t have to invest in equipment. Just find a well-reviewed paddleboard rental company and enjoy a memorable day out.
Go Ziplining
Ziplines are becoming more popular every year. They combine the thrill of flying through the air with the excitement of adventure. So, if your dad is a bit of an adrenaline junky, why not zip line with him?
Sign Up for a Woodworking Class
If you want to learn woodworking, you’ll need a place to practice your skills. It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out or already have experience; a local woodworking store will offer you access to tools, classes, and space to practice. My husband did a woodworking class once at a Woodcraft Store and loved it! It wasn’t too expensive either. It was about $60, and he made a beautiful wooden Christmas tree ornament.
Take a Cooking Class Together
Cooking classes are a great way to spend quality time together. You can learn how to make delicious dishes from scratch or even learn new cooking techniques like sous vide.
Enjoy Some Quality Family Time
The following few ideas are about the family spending quality time together. Of course, one-on-one time is lovely, but sometimes, involving the whole family is better to make the events more memorable.
Host a Friendly Family Competition
Is there an activity that the family generally enjoys doing together? For example, bowling. You could take the whole family to a local bowling alley and have a family bowling competition. Is there a cooking rivalry in the home? Maybe a chili cookoff could finally settle the score!
Take a Mini-vacation
The idea behind a mini-vacation is to take a break from your daily routine and enjoy yourself. It doesn’t matter if it’s a weekend trip or a week-long holiday locally. However, suppose you’re looking for something different. In that case, a mini-vacation might be a fun and less expensive way to decompress.
Plan a Family Camping Trip
Camping is one of those things that everyone loves. It’s relaxing, adventurous, and, most importantly, inexpensive. So why not plan a camping trip with the entire family? You can rent a campsite nearby, or even stay in a cabin at a park. Just make sure you reserve far enough ahead!
Pack a Picnic
If you want to give your dad something he will really enjoy, then why not pack a picnic lunch together? This could be an excellent way to spend some quality time together. You can take it easy by choosing foods that are easy to prepare ahead of time or easy to heat up. For example, sandwiches, wraps, salads, fruit, nuts, and crackers are great options.
Explore Ancestral Locations
Does your dad have an interest in genealogy? Take him back to his roots and explore places where his ancestors lived. You can also visit historical landmarks that were important to them. Make sure to take lots of pictures.
Enjoy An Outing to the Park
While it’s a simple idea, sometimes those are the best. If you want to make it more memorable, consider going to a state park or a park he’s never been to.
Road Trip
This is another simple idea, but it’s a classic. Get in the car and drive somewhere new. You can stop along the way to eat, shop, or see a museum. You can make it a single-day outing or plan for multiple days if your dad has the time.
Give Dad Some New Life Experiences
You’re never too old to enjoy some new life experiences. So break your dad out of his daily routine and give him a unique life experience. Here are a few ideas to consider.
Take a Craft Brewery Tour
Why not try a craft brewery tour if you want to take your dad out for a special outing? Nowadays, it’s easy to find a local brewery that offers tours and tastings. In addition, some breweries offer free samples.
See a Concert
Concert tickets are always a lovely gift to give someone who loves music. If you know your dad loves music, why not take him to see his favorite band live? It will be a fun outing for both of you.
Embark on a Food Tour
If you want to give your dad something special this year, why not take him out for a food tour? Most major cities have businesses dedicated to taking you on food tours. Your dad will probably be shocked about the variety in his backyard!
Take Dad Out To Topgolf
Topgolf is a unique golf experience where you play against others using a laser rangefinder. The game is played on an extensive driving range with different obstacles like water hazards, sand traps, and hills. It’s a fun way to challenge yourself and improve your skills. My husband went to Topgolf Nashville once and had a wonderful time (and he’s terrible at golf)!
Give Him The Ultimate “Car Guy” Experience
Many dads are “car guys.” While it might seem like they have all the car gadgets in the world, that doesn’t mean they’ve got it all. Here are a few outings that “car guy” dads would absolutely love!
Take Dad to Drive A Supercar
If you want an experience that your dad will talk about for the rest of his life, then take him out for a drive in a supercar. Of course, the cost of owning and maintaining a car like this would be astronomical, but driving one for an hour is within many peoples’ means. Some places charge as little as $100-$200 to drive a Ferrari, Mclaren, or Lamborghini.
Take a Ride in a Classic Car
Dad will love getting behind the wheel of his favorite classic car and driving around town. Lots of dads trade in their sports cars for mini-vans. So why not get a classic car rental and let dad drive around memory lane for a little while?
Go to a Car Show
You might want to check out car shows if you live near a city. These events usually happen at local fairgrounds, so you can often find them advertised online. Car shows are a great way to bring a smile to a “car guys” face.
Goof Off With Dad
We can all agree that our fondest memories of dad are when he was a complete goofball and made us laugh and smile when we were sad. Relive some of those sill moments by bringing out the kid in your dad again.
Hit the Amusement Park
Amusement parks are a fun way to spend quality time together. Not to mention, you get to hear your dad scream in terror as you both sit next to each other on a roller coaster that he said he would never get on. Make sure you get the on-ride photos.
Test Your GoKart Skills
If you’re lucky enough to have a kart track nearby, take advantage of it. Kart tracks are a great way to bond with your dad and test your racing skills.
Go to an Arcade
If your dad loves video games, you should consider taking him to an arcade. There are arcades in most big cities, and many include go-kart tracks (if the previous idea also sounded appealing to you).
Chase Down a Food Truck
If you want to try something new, why not take a food truck for a spin? They’re popping up all over the place, so it’s easy to find one near you. The best part is that they offer delicious options like burgers, tacos, pizza, sandwiches, and almost every kind of ethnic food you could hope for. Even better, see if you can find a nearby food truck rally to get the ultimate experience!
Final Thoughts
There are many things you can do for Father’s Day, and there are even more things you can do on any given day. If you know what activities your dad enjoys, you can make it memorable for him without spending a ton of money.
The main thing you need to consider is: do you want to take him on an outing for something you already know he likes, or do you want to show him something new? Either way, you’ll probably have a great time.
