15 ways to switch up your Father’s Day ritual

This year is flying by! I just returned to Chicago from a week-long trip to Germany with Matt (for a friend’s wedding) and realized we’re already halfway through June. I’m finally getting over the jet lag, settling back in (aka laundry), and reconnecting with my family. It turns out that everyone’s plans are sending them to different towns this weekend, so it will just be me and dad for Father’s Day. I love a good daddy-daughter date!

 My dad and I both stay up late – I’m a total night owl, and I definitely get it from him! We are both big movie fanatics, and our favorites have always been scary action movies or a good psychological thriller. Dad and I have a sweet tooth too. He would always take my sister and I to get ice cream when we were little, and he never got mad when I would (apparently ALWAYS) spill my melted ice cream in the back seat of his car haha! :)

 The summer months ahead already seem packed with activities, so I’m super excited to spend this time with dad and catch up. We’ve been talking about going golfing for months, so I think we’ll finally get out on the golf course (just like old times – though I don’t think my skills have gotten any better over the years so keep your ears open for someone yelling “FORE!”). I will definitely be insisting that we snag a golf cart for our adventures on the greens, because let’s be honest, that’s the best part.

If you’re also doing a one-on-one Father’s Day celebration with your dad or that special father figure in your life, here is a quick list of 15 ideas for things to do that aren’t golfing, BBQing, or seeing a baseball game. All awesome classics, but if you want to switch it up – keep reading!

(Most of these are even great if you’re with a family group too.)

1.     Go for an adrenaline rush at the race track if dad likes speed + nice cars (*Check out: Xtreme Xperience)

2.     Challenge him to a cook-off…Iron Chef style (have a relative grab the secret ingredient)

3.     Try something out of the ordinary like axe throwing (*Here’s a good spot: Bad Axe)

4.     See the city from above with an exhilarating helicopter tour

5.     Go kayaking at your local lake

6.     See a double feature at the movies & space out the times so you can chat between flicks

7.     Head to the woods for the weekend and go camping (don’t forget the s’mores)

8.     Get a little old school and search for a drive-in movie. Snag all of dad’s favorite treats, and turn it into a mini road trip if the theater is a few towns over

9.     Treat dad to a grooming day together (Haircut, beard, MAN-icure, the whole 9-yards…)

10.  Organize a simple brewery hopping tour to some of your favorite local spots

11.  Partner up on the paintball field and get out of your comfort zone

12.  Get artsy with a tour at the art museum + painting class

13.  Rent a boat for the afternoon (Good for groups/families too)

14.  Buy tickets to a fun show or concert that you’d both enjoy (*Think: Cirque du Solei)

15.  If you normally do a lot, keep it simple this time with a walk around your town + ice cream, and actually catch up one-on-one

*Suggestions only. Use vendors at your own caution.

Quick Tip Gift Idea: Snap a picture of you and dad doing whatever fun activity you decide on. Then, surprise him with a photo post card about a week later to remember the fun day you had. (Try using an app like Ink that makes this super easy!)