For me, Mother’s Day planning is a breeze. I know exactly what my mom likes and how she would love to spend the day. On the off chance I’m coming up blank, she’s also happy to share what’s on her wishlist or offer up some ideas for what her ideal day would look like. Planning Father’s Day activities, on the other hand, is a completely different story.
Every time I ask my dad what he wants to do, I’m usually met with some sort of noncommittal grunt that I can assume means he doesn’t care. If I need Father’s Day gift ideas? He has no thought starters. Want a suggestion on where to book a dinner reservation? He doesn’t have an opinion. While I’m glad there’s no expectation for elaborate parties or over-the-top celebrations, having exactly zero input to go off of makes planning Father’s Day activities a little tricky—especially when I’m trying to stick to a strict budget ahead of summer. If you’re also struggling to plan Father’s Day for the father figure in your life (or your children’s), here are 16 inexpensive ideas.
1. Have a backyard cookout
A backyard cookout is peak dad energy and the perfect low-key activity to plan this Father’s Day. Whether he prefers to man the grill himself or take a night off from cooking, get the whole family together and plan a meal around his favorite grilled foods. Even if you splurge a little on a fancy steak or some fresh seafood, it’ll still be way cheaper than a meal at a restaurant.
2. Go fishing
If the dad in your life loves to fish, make his day by offering to accompany him to his favorite fishing hole. Wake up early (the early bird gets the fish… or something like that), pack some snacks, and head to a local lake, river, or creek to post up for the day. Even if fishing isn’t really your thing, spending a chill day relaxing by the water is not a bad way to kick off the first official day of summer. Just be sure to check if you need a fishing license in your area before you head out.
3. Take a hike
For the dad who loves to be out in nature, a hike could be the ideal low-cost Father’s Day activity. Depending on which trail you choose, you may need to pay a small park entrance fee, but otherwise, enjoying nature is completely free. It’s also a great bonding activity you can do one-on-one or with the whole family in tow. Grab some comfortable walking shoes, a water bottle, some SPF, and maybe some bug spray, and you’re set to go!
4. Go on a picnic lunch
I love picnics because they’re a meal and an activity all wrapped up into one. It feels more special than dinner at home or the same go-to restaurant, but it can still be thrown together quickly and without breaking the bank. I love picking up all the picnic fixings at Trader Joe’s to make the prep even easier. Plus, if you’re celebrating with young children, heading to a park is a great way to keep them entertained.
5. Host a family game night
It’s been a long time since my family had a game night, but when we do, it’s always a blast. Set out some of your family’s favorite games and let the guest of honor choose which ones to play. If game night is already a regular thing in your household, buy a new board game or learn the rules for a new card game to shake things up.
6. Head to a comedy show
This activity may not be ideal if young kids are part of your celebration, but if not, there’s no better way to spend Father’s Day than laughing together. Look up local comedy clubs and snag tickets to a show that appeals to you. Some comedy clubs have a two-drink minimum, so be sure to include that in your budgeting.
7. Play pickleball
Pickleball has been the sport for a few years now, and if you still haven’t tried it, Father’s Day is the perfect opportunity. Look up community courts near you and aim to go early; others will likely have the same idea. It’s a fun break from your normal routine, and there’s nothing like a little friendly family competition.
8. Watch a movie at the theater
Luckily for us, Father’s Day falls during summer blockbuster season, so there are usually plenty of options at the theater. If you live somewhere with already scorching temperatures in June, it’s also a perfect activity for avoiding the heat. Whether he loves a good action movie or tears up at every rom-com, there’s bound to be a movie you’ll love watching together.
9. Spend the afternoon at a museum
If the person you’re celebrating this Father’s Day isn’t much of a sports fan, heading to a local museum is another great option. Tickets are usually affordable, and many museums offer student, senior, or resident discounts that make it even easier on the wallet. Explore an art museum, history center, or even art galleries featuring local artists.
10. Do an at-home wine or beer tasting
Heading to a vineyard or brewery can get expensive, but you can recreate the experience at home on a budget. Depending on whether your family is more into wine or beer, head to the grocery store to pick up some bottles or local brews. If you want to go the extra mile, serve appetizers based on recommended pairings for each beverage.
11. Float on the water
There’s nothing more relaxing in the summer than floating on the water with a drink in hand. Whether you have access to a pool, lake, or beach, find the nearest body of water and block off the afternoon for nothing but kicking back. Just bring plenty of snacks, drinks, and sunscreen.
12. Complete a project with him
If your dad is anything like mine, he has a to-do list full of unfinished projects he’s been procrastinating. For a gift he’ll truly appreciate, check one of them off for him. It can be as big or small as you want, but pulling some weeds in the yard or helping clean out the garage will make his day.
13. Go golfing
It might be a stereotype, but I’ve yet to meet a dad who doesn’t enjoy golfing, so it must be at least partially true. Whether or not you have golfing experience yourself, renting clubs and heading to a golf course is a great way to spend time with loved ones doing something they actually enjoy. To keep costs lower, opt for just nine holes instead of playing the full 18, which will also keep the afternoon moving if you’re not much of a golfer. And if traditional golf feels like too much of a splurge, disc golf makes a great (usually free-to-play) alternative!
14. Enjoy some live music
These days, concerts often bring to mind stadium tours, Ticketmaster wars, and hundreds of dollars shelled out per ticket—but not every show has Cowboy Carter–level pricing. Plenty of local venues offer live music for super affordable prices. Research upcoming concerts near you and find an artist your family will enjoy. You could even head to a bar or brewery with live music to keep things even more cost-effective.
15. Plan your own food crawl
Instead of booking a reservation at a fancy, expensive restaurant for Father’s Day, why not grab small bites from multiple favorite spots? A food crawl full of their go-to restaurants can be totally tailored to whoever you’re celebrating. Pop into one place for drinks, grab appetizers at the next, then dinner, and finish with dessert at the final stop. To keep it budget-friendly, stick to more affordable restaurants (yes, fast-food chains totally count). The activity makes it just as special as a steak dinner.
16. Pull out old family photos
If your dad is the sentimental type, he’ll love taking a trip down memory lane by looking through old family photos or watching home videos. If your family photos are stashed away somewhere in boxes, take the time to pull out some favorites and arrange them in a photo album so you can easily look through them together. It’s both a gift and an activity in one!
Lauren Blue, Associate Editor & Book Club Co-Host
As an Associate Editor for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives, from must-read books and behind-the-scenes interviews to beauty products she can’t live without. When she isn’t sitting in an AMC watching the latest buzzy release, she can be found scouring Goodreads for the perfect pick for The Everygirl Book Club. There, she co-hosts discussions with members, debating plotlines, fancasting characters, and, of course, tossing in her own recommendations.
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.
Feature graphic images credited to: Malia Lipsey | Dupe, Matheus Rodrigues | Pexels, Molly Jackson | Dupe, Kendal Dean | Dupe, Cora Pursley | Dupe, Tanya Staton | Dupe
