What did you get your dad for Father’s Day? If your dad is anything like mine, he probably already has everything he wants—and if he needs something, he buys it himself. This can make finding the perfect gift a bit tricky. That’s why we’ve started giving experiences instead of things to my dad and father-in-law. I’ve also adopted this approach with my husband. We all have enough ‘stuff,’ and shared memories often make the best gifts. If you’re searching for ideas, here are some great ways to celebrate Father’s Day.
Play At An Old-School Arcade
For some reason, guys love being taken back to their youth. Plus, who doesn’t love playing old-school games like Pac-Man and Astroids?
We did learn that now that we are old, we aren’t so good at these games anymore. However, my husband did act like a little kid again, so it was well worth the blast to the past.
Outdoor Movie Night
Create your outdoor screening! Set up a projector against a blank wall and enjoy one of Dad’s favorite movies together as a family.
Go For A Hike
Embrace the outdoors as a family by exploring local hiking and biking trails or heading to the nearest National Park. Let Dad pick the route, and be prepared to capture many family photos.
Escape From An Escape Room
Let Dad unleash his inner detective with a trip to an escape room. As you work together to solve clues and crack the puzzle, you’ll have fun and learn more about each other along the way.
Have A 3D or 4D Experience
Not all of us can go white water rafting at the drop of a hat. However, if you can find a place in your area, you can experience that without getting wet. Plus, you get to wear these awesome glasses:
Go Skydiving
If your dad loves a good thrill, skydiving could be the perfect adventure for him.
Visit A Museum
Take him to explore a local museum. Many museums offer interactive exhibits that promise fun for the whole family.
Backyard Picnic
Head to the backyard for a family picnic. He’ll love soaking up the sunshine and playing backyard games, especially with his favorite people.
Take A Historical Site Tour
Seek out historic sites that offer tours. It’s an excellent chance for him to share stories about his favorite leaders and events, making the day even more meaningful.
Buy Tickets To Your Dad’s Favorite Team
Thanks to tickets I bought for my husband, father-in-law, and dad, they will attend a football game this fall. There is nothing like experiencing the game at the game (except for the line to the bathroom, which we can all do without).
Take A Road Trip
Gather the family, turn up the music, and hit the scenic road. Whether you’re headed to the beach or your dad’s favorite national park, this adventure will create unforgettable memories.
Go To A Car Show
Explore his favorite classic models from over the years and discover new favorites together.
Karoake
Turn up his favorite tunes, hand him the mic, and get ready to see him steal the show with his impressive karaoke skills. Extra points if Dad shows off his dance moves in your living room!
Fore! Hit The Golf Course
If you ask Dad how he’d like to spend Father’s Day, golf is likely at the top of his list. Make it happen with a tee time at his favorite course. Go the extra mile by prepping his gear and arranging transportation to ensure a perfect day.
These are great ideas. I got my husband tickets to a Braves game one year. He was over the moon.
These ideas are great for Father’s Day. I like the idea of giving experience gifts that can be really appreciated.
Those are great idea. My family went to Pine island for Fathers day.
Great ideas! I’ve been trying to focus on locations to go with my dad instead of gifts becuase he really doesn’t need anything, he’s a simple guy so time with him is the best gift.
These are great ideas, much more personalized than most suggestions I see. I think my hubby would LOVE a trip to the arcade. It would bring back so many great memories for him!
Oh yeah! My son and his dad loved going to games. They both love the arcade too but those are so hard to find now.
Our children are all grown and my husband received lots of gifts. And the most important one of all was spending the day together. These are all wonderful ideas.
An arcade would be an awesome place for Father’ Day! I don’t know of any in our area but that would be awesome! I’ll have to check it out online and see!
These are all great ideas! Arcades are so much fun. I don’t know of any in our area anymore.
So many awesome ideas! But I love going arcades with my dad and then we go to some of his fave restaurants. Thanks for the tips 🙂
I got hubby On Deck Circle seats for Father’s Day once. He was supposed to take us, lol but he took his buds. He had such a fabulous time I didn’t have the heart to tell him they were family tickets.
What great ideas for that father and son bonding sessions of play! I think dad’s should be appreciated for what they do every day!
These are awesome ideas. The memories you make from going places are so much better than gifts.
I love the idea of places to go versus things to buy. It’s so much more meaningful to me to share an experience together whenever possible .
Great ideas here. Tickets to a sport event are always a good hit, but even for a pedicure or massage!
Great ideas! We don’t usually do much we celebrate at home but hoping to change it up a bit next year!
Great tips! My husband is not much into sports so we usually just celebrate at home with the kids. I would like to take him somewhere in the coming years though.
How fun! We watched a movie on Father’s Day and then had dinner at an Asian resto. It was a spectacular Father’s Day for the hubs. 🙂
I am thankful that my husband and father-in-law are really easy to entertain for fathers day. The day is really hard on me so I try to put my best foot forward. Thankfully my husband, FIL and kiddo are all very understanding.
These are great fathers day ideas. We spent the day at my Dads house and had a delicious BBQ.
The old school arcade idea is great. I know my husband would love it … I probably wouldn’t be able to tear him away!
This is a great list of places that you’ve put together. I definitely would want to go with my dad to a 3D or 4D theater. It’s been a while since we did something together – we should make up for lost time.
This has to be the best Father’s Day idea list ever. Definitely bookmarking for next year.
These are super fun ideas. I know I loved the old games and wouldn’t mind going to the arcade. I remember spy hunter too.
We didn’t really get to do anything for Father’s day this year. He had to travel.
Tickets to a game are a great idea. My in laws are really hard to shop for so now we buy them tickets to shows. I never thought about sporting events.
What great ideas! We always go fishing on Fathers day because its something he used to do with his dad!
These are great ideas. My husband just wanted to hang out at the house since we’ve been so busy lately. We all appreciated the relaxing day.
My husband would have loved to have us buy him tickets to a ball game. We bought him new shirts and made him dinner.
These are all great ideas! I love the idea to provide an experience over an item, I try to do that as much as possible.
We took my husband to see KISS in concert a few years back. That was his favorite Father’s Day present ever! He love KISS and he loved the concert. If you don’t believe me, just look through the pictures on my personal Facebook page!
These are such wonderful ideas. We didn’t do much because my husband had to work on Father’s Day so we celebrated the night before.
We went fishing and to the beach. My husband also loves hitting baseball games and bowling. Nice ideas!
Sadly, I was gone out of town for Father’s Day with my family. However, I know my dad would have loved some of these ideas!
SO many fun ideas. We really didn’t do too much. It was a low key day but we kind of needed that this year.
these ideas are awesome – our dad are special and these are good ideas to have during this day.
Great ideas. My father still stick to dinner at home but I am trying to push him outdoors. Hopefully when I have kids my husband would enjoy fathers day out with kids in some exciting place..