Sonora Louise Smart Dodd is credited with originating the idea of honoring fathers in 1909. After listening to a sermon on Mother’s Day, Mrs. Dodd thought it would be nice to have a day to honor her father, who had raised his family as a widower. Mrs. Dodd’s idea took hold, but it was not until 1972 that Father’s Day was finally made an official holiday.
Here are a few ideas to help you make this Father’s Day a special one.
Suggestions
- Make Dad breakfast in bed Sunday morning.
- Make and fly paper airplanes!
- Take a hike in a national park.
- Create a coupon book redeemable for a day of help around the house, meals, hugs and kisses, or everyone pitching in to complete one of Dad’s chores. (See resources below.)
- Make homemade ice cream.
- Share a joke!
- Create a custom-made Father’s Day card. One fun idea is to feature a Father’s Day acrostic.
- Build a birdhouse.
- Write a heartfelt letter to Dad.
- Learn about Dad by interviewing him. Where did he grow up as a child? What was he interested in when he was little? Stumped for ideas? You’ll find help below.
- Explode, erupt, or launch something!
- Take Dad camping!
Further Investigation
Father’s Day
History of the holiday from the History Channel.
Activities
Printable Father’s Day Coupons
Coupons already created for you, including taking out the trash and cleaning the garage, for example, with a couple of blank coupons for those special ideas.
Father’s Day Coupons
The Martha Stewart version with free downloadable template.
Father’s Day Craft Stick Roll-Up Card
Great craft from Michaels.
3D Tool Box Card
Adorable printable to fold and personalize.
Father’s Day Tool Box Gift Card Holder
If you decide to give Dad a gift card, assemble this unique gift card holder! From FamilyFun.com.
My Daddy Questionnaire
Cute download from Kinzie’s Kreations that is sure to inspire some original answers!
A Family History Questionnaire
For writing your own or interviewing a family member. Great ideas for getting those important details down.
Dad’s Day Shirt and Tie Cake
Admittedly not for the faint of heart, but cute! From Betty Crocker.
Make a Virtual Father’s Day Tie
Dad always gets a tie for Father’s Day? Fun alternative….
10 Things to Do With Your Child’s Artwork
Use one of these ideas to make something special for Dad.
Books
Just Me and My Dad by Mercer Mayer
A modern classic from a favorite series.
Father Bear’s Special Day by Else Holmelund Minarik
Part of the Little Bear series for young readers. A family favorite!
A Perfect Father’s Day by Eve Bunting
Fun look at the “perfect” Father’s Day from the view of a 4-year-old from a favorite author.
4 Awesome Dad DIY Books
Fun books to do something with Dad!
Unit Studies & Lesson Plans
Father’s Day Sample
Sample from Amanda Bennett Unit Studies featuring two writing activities.
Printables & Notebooking Pages
Father’s Day Notebooking Pages
Free in time for Father’s Day, 30-page download of thoughtful Father’s Day notebooking pages at NotebookingNook.com.
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