Father’s Day is a special day. It’s one day we’re provided an opportunity to drop everything and focus on our husbands. To let them know how much we appreciate them, how much the children appreciate them, and how much they are loved. How you celebrate Father’s Day is super important.

As mom’s we’re often given a lot of the credit. Everyone always talks about how hard a mom’s job is. How we “do it all.” But what about a dad’s job? In our home, there is no division between mom’s or dad’s job. Our home is about family and that’s how we function. As a unit. As a team. So it’s equally important to me to celebrate Father’s Day with as much enthusiasm as we celebrate Mother’s Day.

Detached fathers aren’t a thing of the past, but it’s no longer the norm

When our parents were young, Mom did all of the work in the house. She did all the work with the kids and had help with the discipline portion. That part was pretty much dad’s job.

Dad was the ruler. He made the rules and ensured they were followed, doling out punishment as necessary. It was his job to bring home the money that paid the bills. That was his primary role. There wasn’t a whole lot of affection and quality time in a lot of households. He was a good father, but not really present and involved a lot of the time.

To celebrate Father’s Day back then, you bought dad a tie (because they all wore them to work), maybe made him a cake or his favorite meal, and then it was back to business as usual. Dad’s today deserve more.

More and more, dads today share in the responsibility of raising the children. They discipline and they nurture. They prepare meals, kiss boo-boos, and act silly. They’re elaborate, enthusiastic story tellers. And they still help pay the bills, often by working long hours at jobs they hate, especially if it means that Mom can stay home with the kids.

Dad’s today do what is necessary to get the job done, just like moms. On Father’s Day, they deserve every bit the praise and affection that moms receive on Mother’s Day. Because just like Mom, they’re doing it all, too.

For all of you mamas out there that are looking for some great ideas on how to celebrate Father’s day with your partner in this life, here are 5 great ideas. They’re sure to make Dad’s day super special and give you all tons of memories and fun.

5 Simple, fun and inexpensive ways to celebrate Father’s Day

1. Dad’s favorite hobby All dads have a hobby that they don’t get to do as much as they’d like now that there are children. Give them the day to do whatever they want while you either watch the children or all participate in the activity with him! Does dad love to bowl? Take the whole family and have him teach the kids. There is nothing a dad loves more than doing what he loves, with who they love, while passing on their expertise!
2. A trip to the zoo A trip to the zoo is relaxing and enjoyable for the whole family. And it’s not an activity that we think to do on a regular basis. In lots of areas, the weather is only nice enough to visit the zoo for a few months of the year, and June is a great time for it!
3. Help him with yard work Some dads love yard work. Others hate it. Whichever your husband is, he’s guaranteed to love the whole family pitching in to help. Mowing, weeding, planting, watering, or working on a landscape project, Dad will appreciate the assistance and family time. And this is another activity where Dad can show off his knowledge and teach the kids, and probably Mom, a few things!
4. Rummaging/antiquing This one isn’t just for moms! Dad’s love a good bargain, too. Even better if you can find an old barn sale or an estate sale selling lots of tools, woodworking equipment, or other things that a dad might love! My husband loves looking at old war memorabilia and old technologies. It’s not something we do often, so offering to peruse several antique shops, barns, estate sales, and rummages is exciting!
5. An outdoor day Use your imagination on this one. You could be as active or relaxed as you want. Picnics, hiking, boating, canoeing, kayaking, a day at the beach, a visit to a park, or nature photography are all outdoor activities. Choose one, or several, things that he’d enjoy and spend the day as a family enjoying the beautiful weather and beginning of Summer.

Get Dad’s input!

If you know what Dad would love to do, plan the day as a surprise. If there is any doubt, ask him what he wants! A lot of times, this works best even if you do know what he would love.

Sometimes our husbands surprise us with what they want most. You might be expecting him to say he’d like you to take the kids while he does his favorite hobby. What he might really want, however, is to spend the day with the family goofing off at a theme park. You never know until you ask! He’ll appreciate that he gets to decide what to do that day, and will probably ask for family input as well!

What are some other simple, fun and inexpensive ways to celebrate Father’s Day?

-To your Better Life-

Kira