Check out these seven ideas for making this year the best Father's Day yet by celebrating Dad at home.
Father’s Day is almost upon us, and celebrating Dad’s special day might be a little different than last year. With many places closed or on reduced hours and capacities, it may not be possible to take Dad to his favorite restaurant, or out to the annual ballgame, fishing trip, or other awesome adventure to mark the day. However, there are plenty of ways to celebrate dads at home and make the day one they will remember forever.
Here are seven of our favorites:
Camping in the Backyard
Photo by Mac DeStroir from Pexels.
Why not treat Dad to the perfect backyard camping trip? He won't have to do a thing—no packing, unpacking, repacking, unpacking, packing ... Just set up a tent in the backyard, make it comfy inside with blankets and pillows, and then stock it with Dad’s favorite snacks. Make that tent a perfect "dad cave" and enjoy a day or evening in the backyard. Set up a few stations with camping activities (run through the sprinklers, play putt-putt, have a scavenger hunt) and take a Father’s Day photoshoot. You can even roast s'mores over the grill! Get creative with this one—Use what you have, and Dad will have a great time camping, without any of the usual work!
Dad’s Movie Day
With all the streaming apps and services out there, it's pretty easy to access all those movies that dads love: Top Gun, Saving Private Ryan, every Star Wars movie ever made, Field of Dreams, Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, Big, Gremlins, Avatar ... Whatever your Dad’s favorite movies are, set up a "stream-fest," load up on his favorite snacks, and settle in for a day of nothing but movies and chilling with Dad. You can also check out some of the flicks that celebrate dads of all shapes and sizes: I Am Sam. Father of The Bride, The Pursuit of Happyness, Big Fish, Big Daddy, World’s Greatest Dad, and so many more.
Sports/Game Day
This one can be done in several ways. You can set up a backyard bonanza of dad games—like corn hole, badminton, darts, any type of catch, flag football, slip-n-slides, etc. All of that backyard fun is right there waiting to be had. Or, if board games are more Dad's style, let him pick some of his favorites and enjoy some quality time together competing in the battle of the minds. Whichever way a "game day" goes, the time spent together will be priceless.
Backyard Picnic
Image courtesy of Pixabay
Today all Dad has to do is crack a cold beer and kick back. Let the kids plan the menu and help prepare the food. Enjoy a nice picnic in the backyard or at the park. If you want to make it a more social thing, invite the neighbors to join you in a front yard cookout. Everyone can stay socially distant and cook in their own driveways while celebrating all the dads on the block.
Dad’s Day Spa
Believe it or not, dads like pampering too. Set Dad up with a day of relaxation and pampering, and yes, a frosty delicious beer can be a part of it. Create a nice relaxing space for Dad with mediation music and scented candles, then give him a facial and a foot massage or let him take a bath to soak all that stress away. Show Dad what a day at the spa can do to refresh and recharge him, both in body and spirit.
Beer Crawl/Pub Tour at Home
Dads will love this one. Though the regular pub crawl may not be available, that doesn't mean Dad can't enjoy the experience. Mix-n-match six-packs are available at most grocery stores and liquor stores. Pick a few different kinds Dad likes and maybe one or two he's never tried. Create a snack plate to accompany each brew, then set them up in different rooms of the house. Make a map directing Dad to each of the “bars” you have set up in the house. Give each room a fun name: “The Kitchen Sink Brewery,” “Watering Hole at the Den,” “ The Tavern in the Hall”—you get the idea. If you're really creative, you can offer live entertainment in each pub. The kids can put on a different act of a skit in each room, everyone can sing a song, or someone can recite a poem they wrote about everything that makes Dad so great. Dad will love the pub crawl and treasure the effort and compliments, as well as realize just how much he is appreciated.
Let Dad Decide
Photo by Biova Nakou from Pexels
Last but not least, there is always the option of letting Dad decide. If he wants to sleep in and play Xbox all day, or get up early and head out fishing, it's his day to do whatever he wants. Sometimes dads just want a day to relax, have zero responsibilities, and just be free to do whatever they want. Not that dads don't appreciate the efforts and all the fanfare that can come with Father’s Day, but dads work hard, and this is the one day all year that's dedicated just to them, so it should be a day they can just be themselves, even if that means just having a lazy day of doing nothing.
Whatever way you choose to celebrate Dad this year, just let him know that you love and appreciate him. As the world works through a time of turmoil and uncertain changes, health crises, and more, it's important to let those we hold dear know just how much they mean to us and how we appreciate and value them.
If you still need that perfect gift for Dad we have some ideas for you there as well. Check out our guide on the perfect gift for every type of dad, and these nine awesome gifts you can still grab before Sunday.
How will you be celebrating Dad this year? Give us the scoop in the comments and share any other unique and fun ways you know of to celebrate Father’s Day.
