Being a father is his own reward. But, you know, sometimes other rewards are nice too. That’s why we’ve put together this list of little, fun things you can do for fathers this Father’s Day. We are not talking about spending money (though, if you want to get something, check out these gifts for dad). We rather mean to find little things to do for Dad for Father’s Day that make the celebration all the better. Like giving him a little bit of extra sleep. Or to buy the flashy lunch he loves but will not flush out. Or setting up a ridiculous rough housing call so we can have all the fun of tossing the kids around with none of the work. Any of them will do. Father’s Day means different things to different fathers, but we think there’s something on this list that almost every father will appreciate – on this day, or whenever. Because it’s the little things that matter.
49 Little, Fun Things to Do for Dad’s Father’s Day
- Let him sleep. Late. Like, up to 830am or 9am if you feel generous.
- After waking up, bring him some coffee and give him 15 minutes to scroll through his phone mindlessly
- No to-do lists for the whole day.
- Does he want to watch the ball game? A cooking program? Burn through some back episodes of Falcon and Winter Soldier? Maybe he just wants to play video games. Whatever it is, give him an hour of straight TV time.
- Let him choose the menu for dinner.
- Keep a six-pack of his favorite beer waiting in the fridge. If he does not dig beer, sub in wine, ice cream, cheese, or whatever his thing is.
- Get the steak even if you do not care for the steak.
- Get him new soap that smells good. Even male men like a new cookie soap.
- Buy him new underwear. He will not buy it himself and probably needs it. However, this does not count as a real gift. Just a thoughtful purchase.
- Give him a bouquet of flowers. It’s great to get flowers and men rarely get. If the kids chose them, all the better.
- Does he want to fry? Get the good meat. A spice.
- Clean his laptop. Chances are good that it is full of dirt.
- Does he love keeping rough with the kids? Set up a wrestling room. Put mattresses on the floor. Lay all the foam weapons. Arrange the pillows in a ring. Let them nut.
- Show him an old photo of the two of you doing something memorable. Memories.
- Just find a way to break the routine of an ordinary Sunday – a day trip, a special visitor, breakfast ordered from a great place.
- Order in his favorite takeaway after the kids go to bed so he does not have to share.
- Send him a nude. The longer you are married, the more daring.
- Was he regularly washing dishes? Take him off dishwasher for the whole day. In fact, doing the one task he normally does.
- Do Sunday’s tasks on Saturday so he can really have a day without any unfinished tasks lying in the back of his mind.
- Work out the knots in his back. Like really going in there. Whatever you think is too difficult is probably not difficult enough.
- Breakfast in bed? Big. What about lunch on the couch?
- Speaking of lunch: Go big. Get that crusty bread, that delicious lunch meat, the finest aioli.
- Let the children draw a superhero cartoon with dad in the lead role. Let them give him cool powers that match his everyday heroism, such as his ability to find monsters under the bed or make amazing mac and cheese.
- What was the thing he liked to do before you had kids? Make future plans to do that thing.
- Should he go to work today? Put something small but touching, in his work bag or next to his laptop. Can be a nice note. Could be a drawing of porcupine wearing a funny hat.
- Take out the trash – or at least bring it to the garage, because it’s probably not trash day. Feels like a weird thing, but it’s hard to have a special day when garbage is just lying around.
- When he leaves the house and then comes back, let the children run to him and greet him with big hugs. Few things are better than having your kids excited about your arrival.
- Go running with him. Or to the driving range. Whatever his exercise thing is, do it with him.
- Does he like the cigar now and then? Get him a nice one of his choice and, this is the right gift, the time to smoke it in the garden.
- Write a nice note in which you tell him how much you love him, and why he is such a wonderful father. Be juicy. It works.
- Bathroom block the kids so he can poop in peace.
- Speaking of the bathroom. No “are you done?” knock too. Let him linger.
- Wear that outfit you know he likes. Yes, that one.
- Help the children make dinner for him.
- Do not just tell him he is sexy. Be specific about it. As in “It’s so sexy when …”
- Invite his friends for a Zoom call. Chances are he wants to see them. Do not worry that this is a surprise. In fact, tell him a few days ahead of time so he can look forward to it.
- Do that sex thing he likes.
- Just show appreciation for his hard work – whether at work or at home. And do it for someone else.
- Take a family ride to a place he would love to visit, but everyone thinks it’s going to be boring.
- Did he just complete a workout? Surprise him with a delicious smoothie.
- If he likes in public love shows, post something on social media about how amazing dad he is along with your favorite photo of him. Tag him in it. Collect all the likes.
- Does he hate public display of love and does he get uncomfortable when you post about him on social media? Do not post anything on social media all day. In fact, put your phone in a shoebox.
- Give him a framed picture of him and the children you love. Tell him why you love it so much.
- Open a nice bottle of wine for special occasions. Of Scotch.
- Pick up the snack he loves but never buys because he knows it’s terrible for him. Even if it’s a bath of cheese balls. Even if it’s a bag of chocolate balls. Even if it’s pork, which is coarse.
- Late. Him. Sleep. For at least an hour. If he snores, let him snore. If he falls asleep while watching TV with the children, take them somewhere else so he can nap quietly.
- Even if you streamed and watched it Really cool show, you guys are both in, do not tell him and just enjoy the look.
- Do not talk about money or planning for the whole day. No budget talks. No future plans speak.
- Just tell him that you like him, and make him feel valued in whatever way he feels right.
