Fatherhood is a journey filled with countless joys and precious moments, each one shaping the unique bond between a father and his child. Research shows that active and involved fathers play a crucial role in their children's development, fostering social, emotional, and cognitive growth from an early age. As Father's Day approaches, it's the perfect time to celebrate this special relationship and honour the significant impact fathers have on their children's lives. Whether it's through outdoor adventures in nature, creative activities at home, or heartfelt gestures of appreciation, there are endless ways to make this Father's Day unforgettable. Join us as we explore a variety of fun-filled activities designed to bring fathers and children closer together, creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime.
Benefits of Active and Involved Fathers
1. Social and Cognitive Development: Studies indicate that a healthy father-child relationship promotes better social and cognitive development in young children. When fathers engage in activities like reading, playing, and talking with their children, they help stimulate brain development and improve their children’s ability to solve problems and interact socially.
2. Emotional Security: Fathers provide emotional support, which gives children a sense of security and well-being. This emotional bond is crucial for developing trust and a safe base from which children can explore the world around them. Knowing they have a supportive and loving father figure helps children navigate their emotions and builds resilience against stress and anxiety.
3. Better Relationships: Children with supportive fathers tend to form healthier relationships with peers and other adults. The interactions and relationships children observe and experience with their fathers teach them important social skills and how to form positive, respectful relationships with others.
4. Impulse Regulation: Having a father figure helps children regulate their impulses and behaviour more effectively. Fathers often engage in physical play that teaches children how to manage their emotions, follow rules, and understand boundaries, which are critical skills for school readiness and social interactions.
5. Self-Confidence: Children who receive abundant love from their fathers often develop higher self-esteem and confidence. When fathers praise their children and show appreciation for their efforts, it fosters a sense of achievement and the belief that they are capable of succeeding, which encourages them to take on new challenges and persevere.
Fun-Filled Father’s Day Activity Ideas for Toddlers
Are you looking for exciting things to do with Dad on his special day? Here are 40 activities to fill Father’s Day with joyous moments to remember.
Pick from a selection of the best Father’s Day activities
1. Make a Father’s Day Card: Get the paper, pencils, and crayons out with your little one to create a masterpiece for Dad. Encourage your child to draw something special for Dad and talk to them about what they’re drawing. Let them take the lead and name the things they’re drawing. If they’re able to say the names themselves, try and extend their sentences: ‘Yes, that’s a football – Daddy likes football.’ Use different craft materials like felt, cotton wool, or shiny paper to add textures and encourage your child to describe how they look and feel, like ‘sparkly’, ‘soft’, or ‘fluffy’.
2. Create Crafts for Gifts: Tap into your child’s creativity by making Father’s Day-themed crafts. Personalised greeting cards or photo collages make heartfelt gifts. Encourage your child to use their imagination to create something special, whether it’s drawing pictures, painting, or glueing together a collage of fun memories with Dad.
3. Complete a DIY Project Together: Engage in a simple DIY project, like building a birdhouse or bookshelf. This hones fine motor skills and fosters creativity. Choose a project that is age-appropriate for your child, allowing them to participate actively and safely, whether it’s painting, hammering nails, or decorating the final product.
4. Create a Keepsake Scrapbook: Collect several memories and make a scrapbook for Dad. Use family photographs, mementos, and drawings to create a lasting keepsake. This family project will be a treasured reminder of the love and fun times shared together.
Outdoor adventures that promote exploration and discovery
5. Arrange a Scavenger Hunt: Put a twist on gift-giving with a scavenger hunt. Let Dad and your child team up to find clues and discover the present. Use loud and soft sounds to let Dad know he’s getting hotter (moving closer) or colder (moving away). End the hunt with a special gift and perhaps a small celebration meal.
6. Visit a Local Park: Take Dad to a local park for a picnic with his favourite dishes and enjoy the fresh air. Bring a ball for fun games like family-friendly dodgeball or catch, and plan activities such as flying kites or a leisurely walk. Include teddy bears or dolls for a special picnic, practising social skills through role play.
7. Take a Hike with the Family: Explore nature by hiking to a nearby lake, mountain, or hill. It’s a great way to connect with nature and get some exercise. Make the hike educational by pointing out different plants, animals, and natural features along the way. Bring along a nature journal for your child to document their findings.
8. Build a Sandcastle: Head to the beach or a sandbox in your backyard to build sandcastles together. Let your child's imagination run wild as they create their own sandy masterpiece with Dad.
9. Go on a Bug Hunt: Explore the backyard or a local park and look for interesting insects. Bring along a magnifying glass and a jar to observe the bugs up close, teaching your child about different types of insects and their habitats.
10. Visit a Farm: Spend the day at a local farm, petting animals, picking fruits, and learning about farm life. Many farms offer interactive experiences that are perfect for young children. Click here for Singapore Farm recommendations.
11. Go Bird Watching: Bring binoculars and a bird guidebook to a local park or nature reserve to observe different bird species. Make it a game by seeing how many different birds you can spot.
12. Plant a Garden: Spend the day gardening with Dad. Plant flowers, vegetables, or herbs, and teach your child about the importance of caring for plants.
Fun things to do with your dad at home
13. Organise a Family Game Night: If you prefer staying indoors, arrange a game night with board games or card games. Raise the stakes with a fun prize for the winner. Choose games that everyone can enjoy, and perhaps introduce a new game to keep things exciting. Make sure to include snacks and drinks to keep the energy up.
14. Watch Dad’s Favorite Movies: Create a cosy movie night at home with Dad’s favourite films. Build a pillow fort for extra fun and relaxation. Prepare a selection of movie snacks like popcorn, nachos, and candy, and let Dad pick a few movies to watch in a mini-marathon.
15. Whip Up a Meal Together: Cooking together is a great bonding activity. Let your child help with small tasks like washing produce or stirring ingredients. Choose recipes that are simple and fun, such as making homemade pizza, baking cookies, or preparing a special breakfast.
16. Plan a Staycation: If travelling isn’t an option, create a staycation with fun activities and special meals that Dad and the kids can enjoy together. Set up a schedule that includes activities like movie marathons, backyard camping, or themed dinners to make the day feel special and different from the usual routine.
17. Prepare a special performance for Dad: Combine a puppet show with a musical act. Use homemade puppets or stuffed animals to create a storyline, and change the words of a nursery rhyme or favourite song to be about Dad. Encourage older preschool children to come up with rhymes and sounds, and let toddlers make homemade instruments to play along. Dad can decide if the music is 'loud' or 'quiet', 'fast' or 'slow', making it a fun and educational activity for the kids.
18. Build a Fort: Use cushions, blankets, and pillows to create a cosy fort for pretend play or reading together. Turn the fort into a castle, a spaceship, or any imaginary place your child dreams up. It’s great for letting their imaginations run wild and can be a fun, snug spot for storytelling and bonding.
19. Make a Masterpiece: Get out the paints and create a work of art together. Set up a mini art studio with easels, aprons, and plenty of supplies. Display the finished artwork prominently in your home.
20. Create a “Dad Den”: Build a den with your little one as a cosy retreat for storytelling and bonding. Fill it with pillows, blankets, and favourite books. Spend time reading, talking, and enjoying quiet moments together.
21. Indoor Obstacle Course: Set up an obstacle course in the living room using pillows, chairs, and other household items. Time each other to see who can complete the course the fastest.
22. Science Experiments: Conduct simple science experiments at home, like making a volcano with baking soda and vinegar or creating a homemade lava lamp. This is a fun way to learn and play together.
More fun ideas for Father's Day
23. Play Backyard Games: Engage in outdoor activities like croquet, capture the flag, three-legged races, and mini-golf. Organise a mini-Olympics with different events, homemade medals, and a putting green with obstacles to keep things competitive and fun.
24. Make Coupons for Dad: Create coupons that Dad can use when he wants, such as help with cleaning the garage or a Saturday morning to sleep in. These personalised coupons are thoughtful and practical gifts that show Dad you care.
25. Water Balloon Fight: On a warm day, have a water balloon fight in the backyard. This playful activity is sure to result in lots of laughter and fun.
26. Baking Session: Bake Dad’s favourite cookies or cake together. Let your child help with measuring, mixing, and decorating the treats.
27. Treasure Hunt: Create a treasure map and hide small treats or toys around the house or yard. Guide Dad and your child on a treasure hunt adventure.
28. Craft a Time Capsule: Gather items that represent the current year and seal them in a container. Bury or store the time capsule to open in the future and reminisce about the special day.
29. Home Photoshoot: Get the family involved in a home photoshoot. Dress Dad and the kids in fancy clothes, add some glamour, and create fun and loving photos and videos to keep as memories.
30. Give Dad Some Time Off: Allow Dad a couple of hours to play his favourite video games, watch a documentary, or enjoy sports on TV. Have the children serve him his favourite refreshments like iced coffee or a veggie smoothie.
31. Clear Out the Garage and Garden Shed: Help Dad clear out the garage and garden shed. He’ll appreciate the extra space and the time spent organising tools together.
32. Donate and Repurpose Old Clothes: Fill a bag with Dad’s old clothes and shoes for donation to local charity shops, and use some items for DIY projects like building a scarecrow for the vegetable garden.
33. Gardening Together: Encourage the children to help Dad with gardening, growing herbs in pots if space is limited. Create garden plant pots from natural materials and repurposed items, painting images or labels for Dad's garden. If Dad is already growing vegetables, create a nearby flower sanctuary to attract birds, bees, and butterflies.
34. Woodworking Class: Set up a woodworking class at home. Dad and the children can make a model aeroplane, boat, or a new planter box for a raised garden bed.
35. Tidy Dad’s Home Office: Surprise Dad by helping tidy his home office. Encourage the children to assist with sorting papers, recycling old envelopes, and organising pens and pencils.
Here are some Father’s Day activities for preschoolers
36. Serve Breakfast in Bed: Have your preschooler help make Dad’s favourite breakfast and serve it in bed. Little ones will love contributing to the meal. Choose simple tasks like spreading butter, arranging fruit, or stirring batter so they can feel proud of their efforts.
37. Go Camping (or Pretend): Set up a tent in the backyard or living room and enjoy a night of camping. Stargaze and read books by flashlight. Include traditional camping activities like making s’mores, singing campfire songs, and telling stories.
38. Make a Family Band: Bring out the instruments and jam together, with preschoolers playing simple instruments like tambourines. Teach Dad a new instrument or use old pots, pans, and spoons for a percussive twist. Create a family song or just have fun making noise together, and record your jam session to enjoy later.
39. Give Dad a Fancy Makeover: Who says makeup, nail polish, and new hairstyles are only for Moms? Dads love to be pampered too. Let your kids give Dad a fancy makeover, complete with nail polish and a fun hairstyle.
40. Cooking Lessons for Dad: Organise an online cooking class for Dad and the kids. There are several free and paid options, or you can be their lesson instructor. Gather the ingredients and cook up a storm together.
Unlimited Fun for Father’s Day
If movement isn’t restricted, here are more activities you can enjoy:
- Take Dad to his favourite fishing spot.
- Visit a museum or art gallery.
- Attend a community Father’s Day event.
- Board a boat for a river or ocean trip.
- Enjoy a road trip to the countryside.
- Eat out at Dad’s favourite restaurant.
- Volunteer at Dad’s favourite charity.
- Walk through a tropical rainforest.
- Go to the beach for a picnic and swim.
Whether you're exploring the great outdoors or staying snug indoors, Father's Day is about cherishing the shared moments and exchanging love between father and child. From crafting together to outdoor escapades and heartfelt gestures of appreciation, the day brims with chances to celebrate and honour the special bond they share. Embrace the joy, create lasting memories, and treasure each moment spent together, for these are the moments that illuminate the essence of Father's Day.