Last Updated on May 28, 2024
Do you have your Father’s Day game plan ready to go? Father’s Day is one of those special days where we want things to go off without a hitch. But when it comes to helping your kids honor fathers or the father figure in their life, it can be hard to land on that one idea that feels absolutely perfect.
To help, we’ve compiled a list of ideas that are all an excellent way for the whole family to show dad how they feel about him this Father’s Day.
And remember… you don’t have to limit these to just one day! Most of these ideas are a great way to show dad how much he’s appreciated by all the family members any day of the year!
Be sure to save this post as a bucket list for future Father’s Day celebrations too – you’ll be glad to have it to fall back on!
Ideas to help your kids honor dad
- Purchase small artists’ canvases like these ones. Let your kids paint pictures of themselves doing things with dad and sharing quality time.
- Give him a jar filled with slips of paper on which you’ve each written things you appreciate about him. This is a unique and fun option if you don’t want to just do Father’s Day cards like you do every year.
- Talk about the things you love about their dad or that he does well, even when he’s not there to hear. Share stories about their dad and remind them of the kind of father he is.
- Express to him the things you love about him when the kids can hear. These words of affirmation are so important!
- Have fun making a “sneaky snack” to surprise Dad—one of his favorite food choices.
- Even when you disagree with him, demonstrate respect in the way you respond. (They’re watching.)
- Pick up his favorite drink or snack while you’re out and about with your child.
- Let them help brainstorm Father’s Day gifts he’d love. Get them excited, and let them help purchase it, wrap it, and make cards to go with it.
- Compile a CD or playlist together of songs that bring back great memories and express your relationship with him. These are the kind of keepsake items you don’t forget!
- When he comes home from work, tell him, “Thanks for working hard today to take care of us.”
- Let your children send him an email about something exciting that happened in their day.
- Help your children leave a voicemail telling him they love him and can’t wait till he gets home.
- If he would find it helpful and not harmful, wash and vacuum his vehicle with your child.
- When a child asks a question, give Dad the opportunity to give his input first. It’s little things like this that can help in building a close relationship between father and child.
- Before he comes home, put your young children on a mission to find ways to take care of Dad. Maybe they can rub his back, take his briefcase, or pour him a drink.
- With his help, set up a date when you can bring in a special lunch to his workplace so you can all enjoy it together. Bonus points if it’s his favorite meal!
- Take pictures of your kids with their dad and frame them in prominent places—including their rooms. And don’t forget to occasionally look through those favorite old photos, too.
- If you’re home with the kids when dad is at work, continue to talk about him and build anticipation for when he comes home.
- Help them develop compassion for their dad and all he carries as the leader of their home. Encourage them to give him time to recharge.
- Let them work together on writing a poem about their dad. It’s so cute and funny to see what kids come up with. You might even consider framing it.
- When you’re talking about God’s Word with your children, point out areas in which their father is a great example.
- Encourage them to ask for one-on-one time with him. (If he has a lot going on, you can offer to help with some administrative details to make a special time.)
- When he fixes something for them or otherwise serves them, encourage them to say, “Thanks, Dad!”—and model it for them, too.
- Talk with them about things you’re doing to honor him. “Let’s stop and fill up the car with gas. I bet that will really help Dad.”
- Discuss the things he does well. Tell them about his accomplishments and why it’s so good that God gave him to your family.
- Try to create a space free of toys and kids’ belongings where he can relax or focus.
- Encourage your kids to ask Dad about his day.
- Refrain from comments that belittle the male gender. This can be a hard one for some of us, but it is so important!
- Help them to be considerate of their dad: to wake him up gently; to keep from interrupting him; to be mindful when he’s in the middle of a project; to give spontaneous hugs.
- Last but certainly not least, Pray for him as a family, especially for events going on in his life.
All of these ideas will help your kids to not only honor their father, but will also further strengthen your family structure and help them to recognize the powerful influence of a dad in their lives!
What special things do you have planned for Father’s Day? Do you have any additional unique ways to show honor to dad?
Whether it’s for your children’s father or your own dad, share your ideas with us in the comments!