Father’s Day. The day that to celebrate all things Dad. But what is the best way to spend that holiday? Do you veg out in front of the TV? Do you play 18 holes with your buddies? No. The best way to celebrate being a Dad is to do the very thing you do best. Get out there and Dad it up. Father’s Day falls in June, the perfect time to get outside and enjoy a beautiful summer day. Here are 5
suggestions on how to get outdoors and make the most of your time with your family.
Get Back to Nature
You can enjoy nature without having to strap on a heavy pack and hiking the Appalachian Trail. You would be surprised how many great hiking trails, nature parks and natural bodies of water there are within your area. Getting out into nature is a great way to spend Father’s Day. Lace up your sneakers, fill your cargo shorts up with granola bars and hit a local trail with the family. Find yourself a creek and let your kids splash around in the water. Teach them to skip stones across a lake, or better yet, bring a few
fishing poles and cast a line. Leave the electronics at home and just take in the beauty around you. Find a spot to lay out a blanket and have a picnic followed up by a stop for ice cream on the way home.
Backyard BBQ
Few things create the perfect bonding experience like firing up the grill for a family barbecue. Nothing says Father’s Day like enjoying a frosty beverage while grilling up the perfect burger. Break out the yard games and have a family corn hole tournament. Turn the music up and teach your kids about the glorious tunes of the 80’s and 90’s while showing off some of your sick, and not at all embarrassing, dance moves. Dig out the old Slip and Slide and show the kids how it’s done. Take out a little parental
frustration by lighting your kids up in an epic squirt gun battle. When the sun goes down and everyone’s worn out from all the backyard shenanigans, bust out the fire pit and make some s’mores. Then, after you’ve sent the kiddos off to bed, snuggle up with that special someone in your life under the stars.
Play Ball
There will come a time in every Dad’s life when their kids will be less interested in hanging out with their old man and more interested in their friends. Take advantage of the time you do have and get out and play some sports with the kids. Take them to the park and shoot some hoops. Get a game of street hockey going in the driveway. Get out and toss the football around and teach your kid how to throw the perfect spiral. Some of the best bonding you’ll ever have with your children will come from the joy of the conversation during a simple game of catch or the playful banter of competition. Slap on your knee brace, take an extra Ibuprofen and get out there and play with your kids.
Take in a Game
Maybe you’re more of a spectator than a player when it comes to sports. One of the most underrated summer activities is attending a minor league baseball game. Compared to the pros, tickets are relatively cheap. Let’s face it, when you’re going with young children, its not really about the quality of play. It’s about getting a hot dog, some nachos and a giant soda and just enjoying the pure pleasure of the sport. Typically, these games have lots of activities geared toward children including special themed games or family friendly entertainment between innings. Sunshine, sports, junk food and an afternoon spent bonding with your kids. What more could a dad ask for?
Make a Difference
The greatest trait we can pass on to our children is kindness and empathy toward others. There is no better way to teach a lesson than by example. So why not spend your Father’s Day making a positive impact with your kids. Go help an elderly neighbor with some yardwork. Go clean up litter on a local trail. Find a way to make a positive impact in your community. Choose a cause that is important to you and explain to your kids why that cause is near and dear to your heart. Ask them what kinds of causes might be important to them and then make a plan to get them involved. Teach your kids that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a huge impact.
However you choose to spend this Father’s Day, do it with your family making those memories that last a lifetime. Enjoy the time you have with your kids because one thing every Dad will tell you…it all goes by way too fast.