9 Fun Father’s Day Activities
Have you been budgeting for Father’s Day? Last year Aussies spent around $820 million on their dads, with food and alcohol being the most popular presents. If you’ve got something in mind, a quick cash loan might help you get it sorted fast. But the cost of living crisis has hit us all, and Father’s Day isn’t about finding the best craft beer or experimental hot sauce. It’s about celebrating your dad, looking back on old memories, and finding an excuse to make some new ones.
So with that in mind, we’ve put together some of the best fun Father’s Day activities you can enjoy on the cheap! Whether you’re planning something for yourself, your partner, or your old man, we’ll help you find something to make the day extra special.
Overview:
History of Father’s Day
Father’s Day hasn’t always been as widely celebrated in Australia as it is today. In fact, before the 1900s, it wasn’t celebrated at all!
The very first Father’s Day happened in America in 1908 to honour the lives of men killed in a mine explosion. From there, Father’s Day grew slowly to honour all fathers and fatherhood as a whole. It also spread around the world, with small celebrations happening throughout Australia in the 20s and 30s.
But it wasn’t until 1958 when the government officially recognised Father’s Day that it became more widely embraced and celebrated. Over the following decades, more and more families started celebrating Father’s Day alongside Mother’s Day as one of the major events of the year. By the 2000s, it was widely recognised in schools, churches, and other institutions.
9 fun Father’s Day activities
It’s nice to show dad how much you care all year round, but Father’s Day is specifically set aside to show him some love! Here are some ideas for things the whole family can enjoy to make this a Father’s Day to remember.
1. Camping trip
Pack up the car and head into the great outdoors! With Father’s Day guaranteed to fall on a Sunday every year, going for a weekend away is always a nice option to give your dad a break from ordinary life. Taking a break from technology and spending some quality time together can be the best gift of all.
Plus, Australia is no slouch when it comes to beautiful camping sites, and most of them won’t blow your budget. You might even find some free ones in your area, but even the ones that come with a cost won’t set you back much. If you’re heading somewhere popular, make sure you book a site in advance to avoid disappointment on the day.
2. Beach holiday
Whether you go for the day or for the whole weekend, the beach is guaranteed to put a smile on your dad’s face (unless he’s not fond of the sand). A bit of sun, surf, and fresh sea breeze can do wonders! Grab some fish and chips for lunch, and check out the nearest ice cream shop for dessert.
September is a great time for a beach trip with spring bringing warmer temperatures perfect for swimming. If you’re bringing the whole family, make sure you follow basic beach etiquette while you’re there to make sure your trip doesn’t ruin anyone else’s.
And if you’ve got the budget for a bigger trip to spoil your old man, check out our blog 12 Best Holiday Destinations in Australia.
3. Family picnic
A picnic makes a great Father’s day activity on its own, but you can easily incorporate it into your camping trip or beach getaway too. Bring some food from home, or find a nearby takeaway spot to get some hot food. Picnics are a great option to mix things up a little and explore your local area, giving you the option to spend as much or as little as you want. Make sure you pack all of your dad’s favourite snacks to enjoy before and after!
Want to turn your picnic into an adventure? See if any companies in your city do mystery picnics! They’ll take you to different locations to solve riddles and clues, with the answers revealing artisanal producers where you can stock up for your picnic. It’s a great way to add an extra element of fun for the dads out there who love solving puzzles.
4. Hiking
Like picnics, this activity can be incorporated into other Father’s Day plans. You might want to run this one by dad first–nobody wants a surprise hike when what they really wanted was a relaxing day at home. But if your dad loves getting outside for an adventure, this can be a way to share his passion for the great outdoors.
Look up the best local trails in your area, and remember to pack some snacks and water for the journey. If your dad is into birdwatching, you can download a bird ID app and see who can spot the most different species by the end of your walk.
There are beautiful landscapes to explore no matter where you live, so lace up your hiking boots and take dad for an adventure this Father’s Day!
5. Movie night
We’ve been pretty outdoors-y in this list so far, so we thought we’d take the energy levels down a few notches with a relaxing movie night at home. How often does dad get to pick the movie and enjoy it uninterrupted? With kids around, we’d say the answer is less often than he’d like.
Line up a double feature of your dad’s favourite movies–-whether it’s old John Wayne westerns, classic 80s comedies, or 2000s action movies. Even if they’re not your cup of tea, watching someone else enjoy their favourite movies can be a joy in itself.
You can even make themed meals and snacks to go with the movies you’re watching. But if all else fails, or you want a night off from cooking yourself, popcorn is a cheap and easy snack you can make at home. Just cook it up in your biggest pot, then sit back and relax with dad.
6. Cook dinner together
You’ll have to make dinner anyway, so why not turn it into a fun activity to enjoy with dad! Ask him to teach you how to make his signature dish, or learn how to make his favourite meal together. Cooking is a fun activity you can get the whole family involved in, from peeling potatoes to stirring the pot–-just don’t leave dad with all the washing up!
We all know grocery prices have been on the rise lately, but there are still some meals you can make to keep costs down. If you’re trying to cut down on junk food, we’ve got some tips for making healthy family meals on a budget to give you some ideas.
And if you’re really struggling to come up with a meal, head online for some creative inspiration. You might even be able to find free online cooking classes you can take together to whip up something extraordinary!
7. One-day class
Struggling to think of a hobby you share with your dad? Try making a new one together! There are classes on almost anything you can imagine to help you and dad beat the boredom. Pick your favourite cuisine and take a cooking class together, or take up painting with a beginners watercolour class.
With all the options available out there, you’ll be able to find a class to fit the mood and energy level you’re looking for and give dad a day to remember. You’ll leave not only with some great memories together, but also a fun new creation and a shared hobby for the future!
8. Fishing
It wouldn’t quite be a Father’s Day list if we didn’t mention fishing, would it? It’s the quintessential dad hobby. Even if you’ve never lived near the ocean or a waterway before, your dad might still dream of one day landing the big catch. So grab a few rods and head out to the best fishing spot to make his dreams come true!
Make sure you check local laws and guidelines to see if you need a fishing licence. You wouldn’t want Father’s Day to end before it’s even begun. If you get lucky, you might end up catching dinner!
9. Dad’s favourite hobby
Now this might seem like a cop out, but the best fun family activity you could do for Father’s Day is probably ask him what he wants to do! Maybe he’ll want to do one of the things we’ve mentioned already in this list, or maybe he wants some alone time to enjoy his own hobbies. He might even just want a quiet day at home with the family. Either way, the day is named after him, so it’s only fair that he should get to choose the activity.
If your dad’s taken up a new hobby or sport, offer to tag along and learn the ropes. It might not be for you, but he’ll likely appreciate the effort you’re putting into learning his hobbies and spending time together.
Planning a Father’s Day to remember? Swoosh can help!
Making memories on a budget is easy if you know how, but sometimes putting in that extra bit of effort can make a big difference. If you’ve come up with an idea that’s bigger than your budget, Swoosh can help. Our quick cash loans can turn your dream dad weekend into a reality faster than you can say, “Happy Father’s Day!” Tell us what you’re planning to see if we can help, or apply online today.
FAQs
When is Father’s Day?
Don’t get confused by our friends in the US and UK where Father’s Day is celebrated in June. In Australia, Father’s Day is always celebrated on the first Sunday in September.
What should you buy for Father’s Day?
Ask any dad what they’d like most, and they’ll probably tell you it’s time with their family! But if you want a gift to show your appreciation, you can always make a card, pick up something they’ve wanted for ages, or sign them up for a coffee or food subscription service.
What is the best thing to make for Father’s Day?
Nothing says “dad” like a BBQ! Fire up the burners, get outside and try making some smoked ribs or chicken wings. Or you can always go for burgers, snags, and steaks to keep things simple.
