Looking for a Way to Celebrate Father’s Day? This List Has an Experience for Every Type of Dad

Father's Day is right around the corner, and you know what that means: it's time to think about gifts for dad. You could stick with the tried-and-true gift card and grill burgers like you do yearly. Or, you could think outside the box and give dad something he'll remember and appreciate for years. We're sharing ways to celebrate dads this Father's Day rather than just treating them. And trust us – these Father's Day memories will last longer than the Ryobi drill set you got for him last year.

Club Day For Golfing Dads

A golfer's day out is perfect for all the dads who wish they could attend the PGA for real. If dad isn't a member of a club, get him a membership. If he is, plan a full day at the club! This could include booking a lesson to sharpen his skills, booking lunch, or throwing in a gift card to the club's shop. Some golf clubs have membership perks, and if dad already has one, consider upgrading his membership as a Father's Day gift.

Budget-Friendly Option: If you're on a budget, book some time at the driving range rather than on the course. The driving range is just as much fun but much cheaper — one large bucket of golf balls is usually no more than $15-$20. Finish the day with homemade sandwiches and a picnic near the green.

Family-Friendly Option: If your kids are too young for the golf course, book a day at a mini-golf park. Dad will get in plenty of putting practice while the rest of the family tries their hand at a hole-in-one. If you have teenagers, make reservations at a fun spot like Topgolf for a slightly more challenging game.

A Father's Day Game For Sports Dads

If you're lucky enough to live near a stadium, taking dad to see his favorite baseball team is a great experience. If this is a gift from the littles to their dad, they can decorate the envelope or create a special card with the tickets. Letting them pick out a jersey, t-shirt, hat, or other sports memorabilia for him is a fun way to jazz up this gift.

Budget-Friendly Option: You don't need to attend a sporting event to have fun watching one. Planning a Sunday game day is just as exciting. The entire family can help with this! Sports-themed decorations, dad's favorite foods, and his closest buddies make for a memorable Father's Day.

Family-Friendly Option: If your kids are just a little too young for their first game, bring the game to your backyard. Invite your kids' friends and their dads over for a neighborhood game of wiffle ball. Moms can keep score, while the kids tee off against (or with!) their dads. It's a great way to create memories while including the entire family in Father's Day fun.

Bonus Activity: If your kids are old enough, booking time at the batting cages is another fun way to celebrate baseball-loving dads!

Food Hop For the Foodie Dads

Everyone loves food, right? Well, dads might love food just a little more than anyone else. That's why Father's Day is the perfect time to plan a food hop. First, find some restaurants that dad will love. Then, plug the directions into your GPS and make a day of it! This also works well for breweries or food trucks. It's a step up from the typical barbecue or dinner out, and creates an experience rather than just a meal shared.

Budget-Friendly Option: To save money, stick to appetizers only, or go during lunch rather than breakfast or dinner. Opting for food trucks can also help, as many have lower prices than restaurants.

Family-Friendly Option: Make dad's favorite foods at home as an interactive smorgasbord! This is the perfect activity for kids. It's a little more work, but it will go by quickly with some extra helping hands. Start with breakfast and make all of his favorites until dinner. End with a big finale — dessert! — and be sure to leave time for gifts.

Celebrate Father's Day in the Great Outdoors

For the outdoorsy dads, Father's Day is a time to commune with nature. Camping is a great bonding activity. It takes some time to plan, but seeing the smile on dad's face when you're sitting around the campfire making s'mores is worth it. You can surprise him with a new tent, upgraded sleeping bag, or another cool camping gadget to improve the experience.

Budget-Friendly Option: No camping? No problem! A day hike is equally as fun with kids and costs practically nothing. If camping gear isn't in the budget, consider buying dad hiking boots, poles, or a guide to the Great Outdoors. Even without a gift, giving dad the gift of some beautiful scenery is priceless.

Family-Friendly Option: Camping out in the backyard is a great memory for little ones. Many remember the first time our parents let us sleep outside under the stars. Father's Day is the perfect excuse to set the whole family up with sleeping bags, spooky ghost stories, and campfire grilling. It's easy, fun, and an ideal summer activity for kids.

Nerdy Father's Day For Tech-Loving Dads

Techie dads might be challenging to shop for, but we've got you covered. If an experience is what you're seeking, look no further than the LEGO store. This is fun for kids and adults, with plenty of fun displays and sets that will blow their minds. If you live near a LEGO museum, this is another fun way to spend Father's Day! No LEGO store nearby? Not a problem – try looking for Discovery or science-themed stores or museums instead.

Budget-Friendly Option: There are plenty of affordable high-tech sets out there. These include magnetic building sets, robotics sets, and even some affordable drone gadgets. Plan a tech-filled day with dad. Pop on his favorite Sci-Fi movie, order takeout, and work on gadget-building. If your heart is still set on LEGOS, sign up for their rewards program and watch for sale days.

Family-Friendly Option: Order tech sets in advance to avoid the store crowds at home on Father's Day. If your kids are eager to leave the house, treat them and dad to a local museum with tech or science-themed exhibits. Many museums have kids' centers with interactive displays!

Father's Day Fishing Extravaganza

A day on the water is the best gift for all the fishing dads. You could get him a new fishing rod or rent a fishing charter for the day! If it feels like a pricy option, consider going in with some other dads or making it a sibling gift. Many state and national parks offer rowboat or canoe rentals for something less extravagant but equally fun. Check your local state fishing laws before breaking out the hook and reel!

Budget-Friendly: Taking dad to a new fishing spot he's never been to adds excitement to an ordinary fishing day. It could be local or worth a day trip, as long as it's someplace he's never fished before. Packing a picnic lunch is a great way to save money on a trip like this.

Family-Friendly: If your kids aren't as keen on reeling in fish like dad is, make it a virtual experience! Many game consoles have fishing games that feel like the real thing. You can have fishing competitions to see who can “reel” the biggest fish, and plan a fish dinner to make it feel authentic.

The Perfect Car Lover's Father's Day

Whether dad is a fan of classic muscle or zippy sports cars, there's a way to celebrate him and his passion. June is famous for car shows, and finding one near you is the perfect way to get him up close and personal with his favorites. If there's no car show, try finding a raceway nearby. He might not be up close and personal, but he'll be close enough to appreciate each car zipping by.

Budget-Friendly Option: Some museums also have classic car exhibits. Depending on the historical period, they might have restored cars on the premises. This is a more affordable way to get up close and personal and learn about all the cars dad loves. Pack a lunch and make a day of it!

Family-Friendly Option: Car shows can often be loud and disorienting for young kids. If they're not a fan of revving engines, opt for a kid-friendly festival with classic cars on display. The festival will be fun for the kids while dad checks out the car lineup.

For the Film-Loving Dad

Planning a Father's Day experience is easy for the dad who loves movies. Splurge on tickets to see a feature film in IMAX or with Dolby surround sound to make the movie-watching experience even better. Or, find a movie cafe that serves food and drinks in the theater for an elevated experience. If any movie theaters within travel distance are showing a classic, that's another way to gift dad with a nostalgic memory!

Budget-Friendly Option: Movie nights at home can be just as much fun, if not more. Grab snacks from the dollar store and set up the living room like a cozy theater. The more pillows and blankets, the better! Fairy lights add a warm glow, while popcorn can be jazzed with flavor powder. This is also an excellent way for kids to help plan the night and pick the movie!

Family-Friendly Option: June's weather is perfect for an outdoor movie night. Projectors and outdoor screens are relatively affordable and can quickly transform your backyard into a movie theater. Streaming makes projecting a movie easy, and a blow-up mattress doubles as a cozy movie seat. If you already have outdoor patio furniture, that's half the work done!

Bonus Activity: If you live near a drive-in theater, this is another family-friendly way to spend Father's Day. It's an easier way to bring kids to the movies without worrying about other people, and you get to bring your own snacks.

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