Father’s Day Experience

Homemade cards and adorable crafts made with love from the kids are always cherished, but the growing collection from their childhood years can become a pile of papers to sort through someday. Perhaps the gift of an experience instead will be a refreshing surprise this year! The kids can still be involved and help with planning some lasting memories and unforgettable experiences that the whole family can enjoy on Father’s Day.

Customize this sample itinerary for Father’s Day and choose your own adventures filled with quality family time and a whole lot of love.

BY JESS WEISCHEDEL

Early Morning: Breakfast in Bed

Surprising Dad with breakfast in bed is a sure way to start the day off right. Let the children come up with a breakfast made up of Dad’s favorite foods, whether it’s pancakes, bacon, eggs, sausage, or all of the above. Don’t forget to let your kids add their special touches to the plating and presentation. Include a handwritten note explaining what else is in store for the day.

Mid-Morning: Family Bike Ride and Nature Scavenger Hunt

The night before, plan a nature scavenger hunt by making a list that includes things that can be seen while biking on the local bike trail, such as a bird feather, pinecone, rock, wildflowers, and certain animals. Then after breakfast on Father’s Day, pack some lunches along with the list of items you created, grab your bikes and helmets, and head to the bike trail for a family bike ride. Search for items as you ride, stopping for the kids to explore and enjoy the outdoors.

Lunch Time: Family Picnic

Stop for a refreshing break and picnic lunch at a playground or a scenic spot located along the bike trail. This is a great way to pause, have some conversation, and recharge for the remaining planned activities ahead. Enjoy some sandwiches, fruit, and other easy picnic foods. Don’t forget to include plenty of water.

After Lunch: Fly a Kite

After lunch, pull out the kite you were sure to pack. If there aren’t any open areas where you had the picnic, get back on the bikes on a mission to find one for another pit stop of fun. Once you are done taking turns flying the kite, while Dad helps to get it up in the air, get ready to ride the bikes again. This time it will be a non-stop trip back to your car or your home for rest and reflection on what items everyone found and other highlights that were enjoyed.

Supper: Skewers on the Grill

Once the day winds down, venture into the backyard and fire up the grill. Skewers are a great option for kids to help with, choosing their favorite meats, veggies, and fruits to prepare and cook customized to each person’s preferences. Play some of Dad’s favorite tunes and partake in a yard game or two.

Dessert: Ice Cream Bar

Gather all of Dad’s favorite toppings and set up an ice cream sundae bar for a customized dessert experience. Let everyone invent their own unique sundae, complete with whipped cream, sprinkles, nuts, chocolate sauce, and more. Experiment with different toppings that aren’t as popular, such as crushed crackers, cereal, various fruits, and other flavors.

Bedtime: Backyard Camping

Dad and the kids can pitch a tent together in the backyard for camping under the stars for the night. A fabulous opportunity for telling flashlight bedtime stories, this is a great way to end an action-packed day. Bring out the sleeping bags and pillows, and if stars are visible, set up some chairs or blankets outside of the tent to collectively gaze for constellations in the night sky, and maybe even catch a falling star.

Don’t forget that this sample schedule is only an example. Creating a day that the whole family can enjoy together and that includes some of Dad’s favorite things is the most important thing to remember. Involving the kids in the planning process will make them feel especially responsible for that never-ending smile on Dad’s face this Father’s Day.