How to Sustainably Celebrate Father’s Day 2022
It’s almost Fathers Day and if you’re like a lot of people, you’re probably scouring the internet for last minute Father’s Day gifts that will let him know how much you appreciate him. If that sounds familiar, then you’re in luck: from Father’s Day gifts to fun things to do with dad, we’ve got you covered with 21 unique and sustainable ideas to help you say Happy Father’s Day.
Whether he’s the resident grill master or prefers to supervise with a cold one in hand, has a corny joke queued up for every occasion or never misses a teachable moment, rides a Harley or a Husqvarna, is a thrill seeker or prefers to keep things low key, all of the different ways to celebrate Father’s Day are as unique as the special person you call “dad”.
21 Things to Do For Father’s Day
1. GET YOUR HANDS IN THE DIRT
Whether your dad has a green thumb or a black one, getting your hands in the dirt together can be a great bonding experience. And since Father’s Day falls in early summer in North America, this is a great time to help him with gardening tasks like weeding, burying growing potatoes, fertilizing plants that need a boost, mulching or working in fresh compost, or even planting mature seedlings (hint: some gardening stores will sell them at steep discounts around this time!).
2. COMEDY SHOW
If your dad has a corny joke prepared for every situation, tickets to a comedy show are sure to make him smile. Better yet, take him to a Father’s Day themed comedy show and you’ll be treated to an evening of dad jokes that will have you both doubled over in laughter. As an added bonus, he might even pick up some new material, so you don’t have to listen to the same jokes. every. single. time. 😉
3. BBQ WITH LOCAL INGREDIENTS
If your dad loves to man the grill — or just loves to eat freshly grilled food (I mean, who doesn’t?), then a Father’s Day cookout is the way to go. If you can, source ingredients from local farms for a meal that is better for the environment and taste bud-friendly too. Whether he’s a vegetarian, a full-on carnivore or somewhere in between, there are plenty of ways to green up your grill up. And if he’s never tried a grass-fed burger on a home-baked (or locally baked) bun, well, he’s in for a treat!
4. LIVE MUSIC
Whether you take in a local band or get tickets to see one of his favorite musicians, attending a concert together (or giving him one to look forward to) is a great way to celebrate Father’s Day. Find an outdoor venue that allows you to bring your own refreshments, and prepare a some delicious apps and beverages for a picnic that will bring the experience to the next level.
5. GIFT AN EXPERIENCE YOU CAN SHARE
Sometimes, the best gift is simply quality time spent together learning something new and making memories. So look into any local offerings that align with his hobbies, or sign the two of you up for something that’s outside his comfort zone. This could mean anything from fly fishing lessons to writing workshops, cooking classes, timber framing or woodworking workshops, and more.
6. Plant a tree for HIM!
Planting trees is a great way to celebrate everything your dad does for you and your family. That’s because just like our dads are always doing whatever they can to help us out, trees silently create the conditions for life. They clean the air, stabilize the soil, improve water quality, provide habitat and food for biodiversity, absorb and sequester carbon, moderate local temperatures and more.
7. Go for a nice, long bike ride
Bike rides are a lot of fun, and as a low-impact activity, they’re something that the entire family can enjoy. And with the right bike, even those with limited mobility may be able to partake. Scope out local trails ahead of time, and plan to stop for food once you reach your destination. If you don’t have enough bikes for everyone, look into rental offerings from a local bike and board shop.
8. Try Your Hand At Axe Throwing
Is your dad a man’s man who never turns down a challenge? While we never want to encourage people to use axes to chop down trees, taking your dad to an axe-throwing range is a fun, out of the box activity that will let him flex a new (or old) skill. And you never know, he might end up kicking axe at it (sorry, we couldn’t resist including at least one corny joke!).
9. Help HIM WITH YarD WORK
Does your dad take pride in having a perfectly trimmed lawn, without a single blade of grass out of place? Or does he prefer to let nature take its course? Regardless of where he falls on the spectrum, there’s probably something that he could use help with around the yard, be it tidying up tools, adding a fresh layer of mulch, raking up and removing leaves, or trimming overgrown brush.
