Father’s Day Ideas (Messages, Gifts, and More)
Plan a Father’s Day dad will love with our big selection of ideas. We’ve got you covered for Dad’s big day, including what to write in his card, some great gift ideas, and some last-minute ideas if you haven’t decided what to do yet.
Make Father’s Day special with some very simple ideas. It should be about having some quality time with dad!
Ways to Celebrate Dad on Father’s Day
Sweet Gestures
Frame a meaningful photo for him.
Get him a sweet Father’s Day greeting card.
Create a photo book or scrapbook.
Get him a gift basket with all his favorite snacks.
Get him a gift that’s been on his wishlist for a while.
Create a time capsule (with meaningful items from the past) for him to open.
Make him a ‘reasons we love you’ jar with notes from the whole family.
Activities
Host a backyard BBQ with family/friends.
Take him to a live sports game.
Go for coffee at his favorite coffee shop.
Take him for brunch at his favorite restaurant.
Make one of his favorite dishes.
Book a brewery tour and tasting session.
Sign up for a class he’d enjoy (e.g., photography).
Go for a sunset walk with ice cream.
Book an event or hobby class for him and his friends to enjoy together.
Weekend Trips
Take him on a golf trip.
Go on a fishing trip together.
Go camping for the weekend.
Visit family for the weekend.
Go on a weekend road trip to a scenic place or National Park.
Have a weekend at the beach or at the lake.
Have a weekend getaway in a small town nearby.
Get the Ways to Celebrate Dad on Father’s Day printable here.
Things to Write in a Father’s Day Card
- Thanks for being there for me through it all.
- I hope the rest of the year has plenty more joy in store for you!
- You make life so much better, dad.
- You taught me to be strong, and I’ll always be grateful for that.
- Even when you’re grumpy, you’re still the best dad!
- Thanks for being such a great role model.
- I’ll always cherish our good times, and I’m excited for many more.
- I really hope you have a fantastic day: you deserve it!
- Just wanted to wish you a very happy Father’s Day!
- Dad, you deserve so many good things.
- Thanks for being my biggest fan.
- Thank you for everything you’ve taught me.
- I’m really grateful for all the times you were there for me.
- Thanks, truly, for looking out for me.
- You always find a way to cheer me up and make me laugh.
- Just wanted to say thanks for always being there for me, dad.
- You always know how to make me smile.
- I’m grateful for everything you do; always remember that.
- I’m excited for plenty more laughs and great memories together.
- Thanks for always believing in me.
Get the Things to Write in a Father’s Day Card printable here.
Last-Minute Ideas for Father’s Day
Simple
- Send him a playlist.
- Send him a collection of jokes and memes.
- Send him a slideshow of photos and videos.
- Send a digital gift card.
- Send him a photo of you holding a handmade message.
- Send him a Zoom invite for an online get-together later in the week.
- Record a short podcast-style interview of you talking to the camera telling him why he’s awesome.
Thoughtful
- Send him a heartfelt voice message.
- Call him and have some conversation prompts ready to have a fun conversation where you reminisce.
- Post a photo carousel online and tag him in it.
- Record a video message of why you love him and send it to him.
- Make a photo collage using an app and send it to him.
- Write a ‘why I appreciate you’ list, design it in Canva, and send it to him.
More Ideas
- If geographically possible, surprise him with a visit.
- Get event tickets for you to go together at a later date.
- Book a table for lunch or dinner at a later date.
- Plan a family or ‘you and dad’ road trip for a later date and send him the route on a maps app.
- Send him a ‘Father’s Day gift option’ list with options like ‘dinner’, ‘scenic walk’, ‘trivia night’ and other activities that he can choose from and you plan later.
Get the Last-Minute Ideas for Father’s Day printable here.
Father’s Day Gift Ideas
Great Gifts
- Gift card to his favorite store
- Gift card to his favorite restaurant
- A gift basket with his favorite snacks
- A bottle of his favorite drink
- Something that’s been on his wishlist for a while
Budget-Friendly
- Travel tumbler
- Multi-tool
- A list of why he’s an amazing dad
- Books he’d love
- A ‘best dad’ coffee mug
Personal
- Cologne
- Clothing
- Sunglasses
- Watch
- A wallet he’d love
- Skincare set
- Hobby accessories
- A trip to his dream destination
- His favorite home-cooked meal
- A photo book/scrapbook with fun photos
Grilling/BBQ
- Grill
- Grilling tools set
- Meat thermometer
- Assorted seasonings & BBQ sauces
- Engraved custom BBQ board
Outdoors
- Cooler
- Pizza oven
- Fire pit or outdoor heater
- Patio furniture
- Gardening tools
Gadgets
- Fitness watch
- E-reader
- Magnetic tool holder
- Bluetooth tracker for keys
- Noise-canceling headphones
Experiences
- Concert tickets
- Sports game tickets
- Movie tickets
- Stand-up comedy tickets
- A day off to enjoy his favorite hobby
