Life
What Should You Get Your Dad For Father's Day? 9 Experiences To Share On Sunday Instead Of Gifts
Standard Father's Day gifts usually include a repertoire of grill accessories, bar wares, power tools, business attire, and techy gadgets, but few things beat sharing really great Father's Day experiences with your dad — especially if he is one of those guys who already has all of that stuff and buys the things he wants before you get a chance. This year, treat your dad to the one thing that he never gets enough of and definitely won't forget: quality time with his kid(s)! I've assembled a list of nine great gift experiences, tailored perfectly for your dad's personality and interests. You also might want to bookmark this page so that you don't leave yourself hanging for ideas next year. Just saying.
Image: Tord Sollie/Flickr
Take Me Out To The Ballgame — For The Sporty Dad
If your team is lucky enough to have a home game on Father’s Day and your dad is a sports fan, this is a fun family-friendly activity that you can design a whole day around. As Father’s Day is always on a Sunday, teams will likely throw out the first pitch sometime shortly after noon.
Take a page out of the Southern daughter’s Father’s Day manual, and plan a champaign (or beer) brunch picnic in a tailgate-friendly area near the stadium. Bring a battery-powered radio to listen to the pre-game broadcast while you enjoy a frittata or pre-toasted bagels with cream cheese and lox. Don’t forget to leave room for the obligatory sixth inning hot dog and beer.
A lot of Major League Baseball teams will also be handing out cool Father’s Day gifts when you enter the stadium (like the Los Angeles Dodgers grill-master tool set).
Image: John Liu/Flickr
A Classic Barbecue — For The Dad Who's Always Hungry
Sometimes, it’s best to just stick to what you know the man loves — and dad doesn’t love anything more than he does a good burger and beer. Get your dad a shiny new toy to play with (this Weber One Touch charcoal kettle grill is a safe bet, and will only put you back $99 at Walmart), and then have him show you the tricks of the trade as the two of you put together a perfect summertime meal.
Image: Swire/Flickr
A Pirate's Life For Me — For The Sea Dog Dad
Spend a day on the high seas with your dad in a sailboat. Sail to a nearby destination, or just cruise the waves shouting “Aaargh,” and keep an eye out for adorable dolphins playing in your boat’s wake.
Rum and Oreos are mandatory sailboat dining staples, but bring along a bag of chips and an extra large serving of guacamole to snack on too. When you make landfall, enjoy a burger and a piña colada at your favorite beach bar.
Image: Christine Olson/Flicrk
Kiss The Cook — For The Foodie Dad
If your dad lives to wear the chef hat, take him to a cooking class, and learn how to make an entirely new cuisine. Learn how to construct a structurally-sound sushi roll, or prepare a Moroccan feast. Learn how to fry wontons, roast the perfect chicken, or create delicious soups. Seriously, the possibilities are endless.
Cooking classes that you take together can also be parlayed into future dinners and family hangouts, which is what your dad really wants for Father’s Day anyway.
If you’re in Southern California, Seattle, and Portland, check out Hipcooks (my favorite for group cooking classes)!
Image: Rollence Patugan/Flickr
A Day On The Green — For The Golfer Dad
If your pop is more of the tee-time type, take him to his favorite golf course with some cold beer, a couple of deli sandwiches, and a brand spankin’ new set of Titleist golf balls ($29.99 at Walmart). Make sure to come dressed for the occasion, and get some Instagram-worthy photographic evidence of the two of you cruising in the golf cart or avoiding the double bogey with a bold trick shot from the sand trap.
Image: Tord Sollie/Flickr
The Need For Speed — For The Thrill Seeker Dad
Get some serious air-time when you take your dad to the amusement park for Father’s Day. Surprise him with some inexpensive croakies that will hold his shades perfectly in place while you experience the G-force of the craziest thrill rides around. Nothing shows your dad that he’s still just a kid like three inversions and a 415-foot drop. Grab a turkey leg or a slice of pizza for lunch (maybe once you finish with some of the the bigger drops).
Image: Brian Brodeur/Flickr
All That Jazz — For The Musical Dad
Take your cool cat dad to a jazz or funk show. Check your favorite concert apps to see which bands are coming to your town, and make a day of it. Get loose before the show over an extended wine tapas food adventure.
If you happen to be in Chicago, I’m jealous, because the Taste Of Randolph Street Festival has some truly amazing bands lined up (check out Lettuce and The New Mastersounds, for sure).
Image: jgullo/Flickr
A Dog Day This Summer — For The Dad With A Canine Kid
Bring your old man’s best friend along for your Father’s Day celebrations. Load up all of the family pups, and go for a dog-friendly adventure. Hikes are a great way to exercise the humans as well as the doggies, and there are even off-leash parks and beaches where Fido (or Scout, Zuma, Herbie, and Olive in our case) can have a wild rumpus with a little bit more freedom to roam.
After the dogs have worn themselves out, you can take Dad for a steak or a burger while the furry contingent naps off their exciting Sunday.
Image: Jessica Learish
Automatic, Systematic, Hydromatic — For The Car Guy Dad
Your dad is probably too young to have driven a classic car when it was hot off the assembly line, but you can get pretty close when you rent a classic sports car and take it for a spin this Father’s Day. Assuming you are over 25, or have a sibling that is, most places will allow you to rent some pretty amazing wheels.
Prepare a route that cruises by water, a large crowd (so that you can pretend you’re in a parade, obviously), your dad’s friends’ homes (*honk honk*), and an era-appropriate meal at a 50s diner.
Image: Billy Wilson/Flickr
