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Creative things to do for Father's Day that'll make dad feel extra special

Bring the whole family together for a day full of fun activities.

Creative things to do for Father's Day that'll make dad feel extra special

Bring the whole family together for a day full of fun activities.

I'm Laurie Burgin motto from Good housekeeping magazine. And today I'm gonna show you some great gift ideas that will show all of the dads in your life, just how much you care. I've been doing gift guides for over 20 years, so I know that these good housekeeping picks will hit a home run this Father's Day. This first gift idea comes from amazon. It's a hand held deep tissue massage that allows dad to work out any knots or trouble spots with one of seven different rotating heads. It has a five speed levels and is very easy to operate with just the push of one button. It's so great. In fact, You may want one too. If your dad loves his barbecue, then get him this cast iron smoker box. Now he can give his meats and veggies a delicious smoky flavor without setting wood on fire. Just fill it up with wood chips, add juices or marinades and fired the grill. This is really the gift that keeps on giving because the entire family to enjoy dad's cooking all summer long. Another great gift idea is to make your own hot sauce kid, Since dad can have way more than your average bottle of Tabasco, he might as well make his own hot sauce to his desired heat at under $50 from uncommon goods. This thoughtful gift will allow dad to turn up the heat on his favorite foods. There are also recipe ideas included so he doesn't have to start from scratch for the handy dads in your life. Like mine, this gin Mike magnetic wristband for tools is an absolute lifesaver. It's actually embedded with 20 powerful magnets. It's convenient, it's comfortable and it can easily hold nails, screws, drill beds, washers, bolts. Where was this? When I was in college and my dad was building everything in my dorm room and I was the apprentice, get one of these for your dad and now he can enjoy doing his D. I. Y. Projects with this handy tool to see more of our recommendations for all of your gift guide needs check out good housekeeping dot com.
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Creative things to do for Father's Day that'll make dad feel extra special

Bring the whole family together for a day full of fun activities.

There are so many different ways to celebrate your dad on Father's Day. Picking out the perfect Father's Day gift and writing a sweet message in his card may be a given, but it's also important to make sure that your dad's special day is full of activities that'll bring him even closer to the people he loves most: his kids. Really, if you were to ask him, quality time is the best gift you can give your dad, which is exactly why we've rounded up tons of fun things to do for Father's Day this year.

Before you dive into planning mode, figure out what kind of celebration your dad has in mind: Does he prefer a day jam-packed with activities or something more low-key? Then work your way down this list to find creative ways to make his Father's Day as special as possible. From free activities that you can do from the comfort of your home (a backyard movie, game night and home-cooked brunch) to all-day plans that'll take you miles from home, you're guaranteed to find something that whole family will enjoy — dad, especially.

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i remember every vacation with your granny
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1

Trace your family's roots.

Even if you think you already have a grasp on everything there is to know about your dad, there's so much more to his story. Take a walk down memory lane by flipping through his photo albums and school memorabilia. Then take time to trace your dad's family tree to get a deeper look at your family's past and present.

father daughter campfire
Getty ImagesIppei Naoi
2

Build a campfire.

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 memory with dad or grandpa. It'll make this moment even sweeter.

father and daughter stretching during jogging
Getty ImagesStanislaw Pytel
3

Plan a family workout.

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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happy smiling african family  in aprons cooking and kneading dough on wooden table
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4

Take an online cooking class.

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.

high angle view of multi colored croquet balls and mallets on grass lawn
Getty ImagesJill L Wainright / EyeEm
5

Host a lawn game tournament.

Bring the Olympic spirit to your backyard by organizing an afternoon event with cornhole, horseshoes, croquet and other lawn games. If your dad has a competitive side, keep score at each game and tally up the points at the end to name a winner.

SHOP THE BEST LAWN GAMES

father son karaoke activity
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6

Get your karaoke on.

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.

FATHER'S DAY SONGS TO PLAY

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Mike Garten
7

Serve dad an all-star brunch.

The best way to start off Father's Day? A table full of 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!

MAKE THESE FATHER'S DAY BRUNCH RECIPES

family playing board game
Getty Imagesdiane555
8

Have a family game night.

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!

BEST BOARD GAMES TO BUY

cropped hands of male friends toasting wine at tasting room
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9

Host a wine tasting.

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.

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dad and son painting
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10

Craft together.

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.

MAKE THESE FATHER'S DAY CRAFTS

picnic basket
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11

Pack up a backyard picnic.

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.

PACK UP THESE PICNIC FOODS

laughing senior man in bathrobe sitting in armchair
Getty ImagesWestend61
12

Pamper him with a spa day.

Dads deserve some pampering, too! Turn your home into a relaxing spa by lighting candles and playing soothing music. If you or your kid's 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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dad and son fishing at lake
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13

Get out on the water.

Rent a boat or jet ski for the day, so he can spend quality time on the water. For a budget-friendly option, grab his fishing poles and head out to a nearby lake or pond. Whatever you settle on, make sure the entire family remembers to apply a generous amount of sunscreen.

grilled kebabs and grilled corn
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14

Fire up the grill.

Father’s Day is best celebrated with family and amazing food, so fire up the grill to make a delicious meal that everyone can enjoy. Take the opportunity to learn a thing or two from dad, or simply cheer him on as he serves plate after plate of juicy burgers, grilled veggies and more.

TRY THESE FATHER'S DAY RECIPES

golf ball on golf course
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15

Hit the golf course.

We’re sure if you ask dad how he'd like to spend Father's Day, golf will most certainly be at the top of the list. Make his wish come true with tee time at his favorite golf course. Feel free to go the extra mile by organizing his gear ahead of time and arranging his transportation.

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father and children hiking on a trail
Getty ImagesJekaterina Nikitina
16

Go for a hike.

Enjoy the great outdoors as a family by hitting up your local hiking and biking trails or driving to the nearest National Park in your area. Let dad choose the path and be ready to take tons of family photos.

friends toasting with beer glasses
Getty Imagesizusek
17

Host a beer tasting.

On Father’s Day, serve dad a refreshing pint of his favorite beer. For the ultimate treat, plan a craft beer tasting with an assortment of ales, lagers and IPAs from local breweries. He might just find a new favorite and you’ll be the one to thank!

father's day steak dinner
DANIELLE OCCHIOGROSSO DALY
18

Bring him to a steak dinner.

Give dad what he really wants on Father's Day: a nice dinner served with a glass of his favorite bourbon. Practice the recipe ahead of time to ensure that you can sear the steak just right.

WOW HIM WITH THESE STEAK DINNERS

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19

Plan an outdoor movie night.

Set up an outdoor screening in your own backyard. Shine a projector against a blank wall and pick one of dad's favorite movies to watch as a family.

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20

Make a splash at the pool.

Father's Day happens to coincide with the first day of summer. The only way to celebrate? With a fun poolside hang, of course! Give him his own pool float or let him knock out his first summer read — it's his choice!

father's day activities camping
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21

Go camping.

Whether you head to a campsite for the weekend or decide to set up a tent in your own backyard, dad will love roasting marshmallows and telling scary stories around the fire.

FIND TONS OF FUN CAMPING ACTIVITIES

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