Father’s Day is just around the corner (first Sunday of September), but don’t sweat it, we know you’re busy and so we’ve put together some simple (and cheap!) ideas from around the internet that you can pull out the bag last minute, while still making memories and leaving dad feeling special.
Get outside
It may be winter, but don’t let that stop you doing something cool with dad in the outdoors. What about having a DIY backyard fire – either in a fire pit or use a chiminea and toast marshmellows together. Maybe get dad his favourite drink or snacks to go with it, and play games.
Or maybe head out for a winter walk somewhere. Find a track nearby and go on a wander if that’s something dad enjoys. Top it off with a hot chocolate together afterwards.
Is your dad into golf? What about setting up your own super fun DIY backyard mini golf course? Use things like buckets, cardboard, tins and pool noodles to build it. You could even theme each hole!
Then there’s always going on a good old-fashioned picnic. But make it one with a twist and get dad to do a blindfolded taste test of his favourite snacks. Or you could play the chocolate game with him (roll the dice, whoever gets a six gets to try to eat chocolate blindfolded, with a knife and fork). Whatever you do, make sure you’ve got all his favourite treats there too.
Indoor ideas
If it’s too icky to venture outside, then why not have a picnic inside! Lay out a blanket in the lounge, or make a fort and cook up some pancakes, or bacon and eggs, maybe bacon butties and eat together in your PJs!
Have a movie night, where dad gets to pick the movie. Set up the lounge to make it special and have popcorn and treats on hand.
Go camping – inside. If you’re getting the blankets out for indoor picnics and other adventures, why not go a step further and all camp out in the lounge for the night with movie and treats!
Anywhere options
Now here’s a fun option – the Dad Olympics! You create the events to be whatever you like. What about a gumboot toss event? Best dad joke? Who can fly the paper plane the furthest? Wheelbarrow or sack race? Egg and spoon? Or even….who can eat the hottest chilli sauce? You’ll be limited only by your imagination. Make sure there’s a sweet treat prize and a nice homemade trophy for the winner. (You should maybe let dad win…)
Create a special playlist just for dad and have a dance party with him! Treats available afterwards of course. (There’s a treat theme here…)
If you’re inventive and perhaps want to make dad work a bit harder for his treats, try a Scavenger hunt with a twist. It could be just around your house, or the whole neighbourhood, but make sure the clues lead to some of his favourite things – snacks, places, or maybe just place around some special handwritten notes, cards and creations from the family.
The sentimental option
Is your dad the sentimental type? Then the DIY Memory Jar could be what you’re looking for. Decorate a jar for him and fill it with notes of all the things you love doing with him, what you admire about him, funny things he’s said and done and memories of the favourite times you’ve spent together. You could even slip in a few of his favourite dad jokes.
Read more: << Spotlight on How to Dad’s Jordan Watson >>
