I’m going to be honest here. Father’s Day is hard. Coming up with ideas for gifts isn’t easy. I want to make the day special for my husband, and I want my kids to be involved, but shopping for a man is not… fun. Am I allowed to say that? Going to a hardware store, or a golf store, or a sporting goods store is not my favorite way to spend an afternoon (or even 20 minutes). But I get it. It’s not about me. It’s about the guy I love. And I put it off as long as I could.
We want kids to be excited about celebrating their dads. So instead of making the prep work feel like a chore, try taking another route this year. Here are 30 last minute (but awesome!) Father’s Day gift ideas that’ll be fun for you and the kids and will also make your husband feel extra special and loved.
Father’s Day Gift Ideas for the Dad Who Needs to Recharge
1. Give him time alone to chill. Plump up the couch cushions and let him put up his feet. If there’s a game, a race, or a movie he wants to watch, let him.
2. Take over the yard work. Get outside with the kids, and do the tasks he normally does. Pick up fallen branches. Spread mulch on the flower beds. Pull weeds. Mow the lawn (or hire a service just for today).
3. Tackle the indoor chores with your kids. Assure them that a tidy kitchen and home will help Dad feel loved. Take out the garbage and recycling. Dust the surfaces. Pick up the toys.
4. Inspire the kids to speed-clean their rooms. Have them stack their toys, put clothes in the hamper, and make their beds. Tell them it’s a gift for their dad, and maybe they’ll feel motivated to do it and then show off their work to Dad later on!
5. Give Dad a free pass to leave the house. Don’t send him on errands, but encourage him to go for a run, meet up with another dad, or head to the movies by himself.
We want kids to be excited about celebrating their dads. Click To TweetFor the Dad Who Likes to Stay Active
6. Spend one hour at his favorite store with no complaints. Let him pick a store he loves and head out with the family. Tell him he has an hour to peruse the shelves and pick out something he likes. The kids will promise not to complain!
7. Take a garden center trip. Head to the local garden center and pick up shrubs or flowers for the yard. At home, work together to get the planting done. Play music and have fun getting dirty!
8. Have an afternoon of yard games. Pull out the summer garage toys that’ve stayed hidden for months. Play frisbee, bocce ball, or cornhole. Toss the football or play kickball. If competition makes your family fight, don’t keep score. Just play for fun!
9. Build a pillow fort. Use the cushions and blankets in the living room to make some memories with Dad. Don’t forget to take pictures!
10. Take a family bike ride. Go for a ride as a family and stop for ice cream on the way home.
Father’s Day Gift Ideas for the Kids who Like to Create
11. Make some DIY coasters. All you need are some tiles, Mod Podge, pictures, and sealant. Kids can even use their own artwork for the design.
12. Make “Dad Rocks” paperweights. Find a rock that will look nice on Dad’s desk. Have your child imagine the rock is Dad’s face and personalize it with glasses, a beard, freckles or whatever makes Dad unique. They can use a black Sharpie to write “You Rock!” at the bottom, “I love you!” or “#1 Dad!”
13. Create a picture book with your child that makes Dad the superhero. You can fold some blank pages in half and staple them together or go all out with a handmade, hardcover creation. Sit down with your child to help her come up with a story. You can even write the words, and she can provide the illustrations.
14. Decorate a grilling apron. Buy a plain, white apron and dress it up with puffy paint or fabric markers. Here’s one idea to make dad “King of the Grill!”
15. Make him a friendship bracelet. They were popular when we were little, and now they’re back in style. A bracelet for dad would be so cute, and he’d think of her (or him!) whenever he looks at his wrist.
For the Foodie Dad
16. What’s a celebration without a cake? Pull the kids into the kitchen and have them help you make something sweet. A cake from scratch is great, but a box cake works too. Since it’s summer, you could try making some quick strawberry shortcakes or some easy fruit pies.
17. Prepare a charcuterie board with your kids and gift it to Dad! Pick food that will appeal to his tastes and also be kid friendly. Show your children pictures of your idea and make a grocery list. They might enjoy shopping for the ingredients and creating the board. It doesn’t have to be perfect for everyone to enjoy it.
18. Assemble a movie themed food box. Get a bowl and fill it with bags of popcorn, M&Ms, Twizzlers, soda cans, and a towel to wipe those sticky fingers. Wrap it up in cellophane and start planning your next movie night.
19. Put together a snack box for him to bring to work. He’ll be grateful for this thoughtful gift. Some things to add include beef jerky, crackers, trail mix, candy, mixed nuts, raisins, mini chip bags, nut butter, and sunflower seeds.
20. Create a grill master bundle. You could use an ice bucket and stock it with new spatulas, an apron, hot sauces, seasonings, and spice rubs. I also bought my husband a fun grilling t-shirt to roll up and place inside. There are so many funny ones out there. Don’t forget, this gift is also a great incentive for him to cook more, which is a win for you too!
For the Sentimental Family Guy
21. Have a movie marathon. Watch as many Star Wars, Marvel, or Harry Potter movies in order as you can. Or binge on some new shows no one has seen.
22. Make it a board game day. Drag out all the games that’ve been collecting dust and spend some quality family time re-learning the rules. If your family’s into puzzles, make today the day to start a new one.
23. Spend time on the water. Would Dad enjoy renting a canoe or are fishing poles more his thing?
24. Make a photobook of memories from the past year. Tailor it to feature him with the kids. You can even include pictures of the kids’ artwork.
25. Help the kids create a coupon book of activities they like to do with their dad and new activities they want to try. Some ideas could include bowling, mini-golf, karaoke, axe throwing, spa day, escape room, or going out for ice cream.
Father’s Day Gift Ideas Only Your Child Can Give
26. Host a musical performance. If your child takes piano lessons, Father’s Day would be a great time to give him a private concert.
27. Have your kids fill out the All About My Daddy questionnaire.
28. Create a homemade Father’s Day card.
29. Make a painting or drawing of Dad and me. (He’s going to love this one.)
30. Create a Father’s Day handprint t-shirt. OK, this one needs a little help from you. But it’s so easy. Just use a white shirt, fabric paint, and fabric markers. Your kids will love seeing their dad wear their artwork, and he’ll feel super loved too!
What Father’s Day gift idea will you use?
