Father’s Day

Play Activities

Young Children’s Learn and Play Ideas for June

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The moon’s in June, summer vacation comes soon, and parents and caregivers are ready to swoon–could you use some play ideas for kids this month? Here are some ideas that rock.

Below, there is a page you can print off for your fridge or bulletin board with an entire month of play ideas. Use these to fit with your family needs and as an inspiration for other ideas. Kids will come up with their own plays and with their own things to use for play. Rocks seem to hold a special attraction for kids and little ones will often stop just to pick up a stone or bit or gravel. Fortunately, there are so many ways to play with rocks and just like a building that goes up stone by stone, learning can be built rock by rock. Go ahead, rock on, with PLAY.

June play activities for kids

 

Holiday Activities

10 Ideas for Father’s Day Family Fun

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Father’s Day and summer fun go together like…well, like kids and dads. Here are ten ideas for Father’s Day family fun. What does your family do?

  1. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, right? How about a plate of some of dad’s favorites like waffles or pancakes. Kids can slice soft fruits and set the table. Little hands can help both with food prep and clean-up afterwards.
  2. Strap on helmets and put feet on the pedals for a ride on bikes. Instead of Row, Row, Row Your Boat, you can sing…Ride, ride, ride your bikes,
    Gently down the route.
    Merrily, merrily, merrily,
    Life is but a hoot.Father's Day family fun
  3. Rather than helmets, grab a sun hat (hopefully not an umbrella) and head out for a hike.Walk , walk, walk your feet,
    Gently down the path.
    Merrily, merrily, merrily,
    Life is but a laugh.
  4. Any parks close to your house? Kicking a ball around the park is a game where no one has to keep score, because everybody wins.
  5. Pack some of dad’s favorite foods for a picnic. Being outside adds another level of taste and turns a meal into a celebration.adventures for kids
  6. Going thru the car wash cleans the outside of the car, but who does the inside? Although this doesn’t sound like play, when we all help it’s not work either. Fill a pail with soapy water for the outside, fill a bag with trash from the inside, and dad will get to take out a clean car on Monday morning.
  7. Weather sometimes means we need to have inside Father’s Day family fun instead of outside. Bowling is doable for wee ones and big ones.
  8. Father’s Day is just one day but a cookie in a lunch bag says, “We love you Dad!” A sort of edible hug, bake up a batch of cookies dad can take with him all week. Again, little hands can help with the dough and the dishes.
    cooking with kids
  9. Water is a sort of clean mess. Throw some towels and dry clothes in a laundry basket and put it right beside the door—inside that is. Fill up some water squirters and get ready for action. Ready, aim, and get wet.
  10. At the end of a busy, active day, how about a pizza and a movie with ice cream cones for dessert? Which one is dad’s favorite to watch?

Sometimes, families have traditions they like to do each year; sometimes, they like to try a new activity. Hope this list has an idea for some Father’s Day family fun at your house.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!

P.S. Special thoughts to the dads who are in the military and can’t be home with their families. We are thinking of you and sending hugs!

 

Nature Activities

Play-of-the Day: Take Dad Outside for Fathers Day

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Could there be a particular reason Father’s Day comes along in mid-June? Maybe, it’s so we can take dad outside for Fathers Day and spend time in nature.

take dad outside for fathers day

If the weather is cooperating, Father’s Day can start with a breakfast picnic outside. Sticky cinnamon buns, breakfast tortilla rollups, and coffee, hot or iced, in a thermos are great menu items. Of course, other meals outdoors are just as much fun. For lunch, pack dad some fresh bread and a choice of fillings. Include a yummy dessert. Besides the picnic cloth and dishes, take a Frisbee or ball for some active fun and play.

Father's Day play

Does dad have a favorite park or outdoor destination? With weekdays pretty busy, a walk or hike can give dads time to unwind. Some communities have trails that are both walk and bike friendly. Any lakes or beaches close by? Sand is great for building castles or for burying dads. Either one takes lots of digging. Instead of throwing Frisbees, dads and kids can toss some rocks in the water. Can anyone in the family beat dad’s count for skipping rocks on the water? If the weather is cool and windy, dress for the weather and go fly a kite. Fishing doesn’t need sun either and many dads like to fish.

activities kids can do for dads

Nature time is a present we can give our dads, wrapped up in blue sky and green grass. It reduces stress and worries and gives energy levels a boost. Other health benefits include lowering pulse rate and blood pressure and increasing calm brain waves. Connecting to nature restores our own nature, helping both children and adults to be more creative and positive.

take did outside for fathers day

Spending time together in nature is a present for the whole family. Is there a way you can take dad outside for Fathers Day? Happy Father’s Day!

Science Activities

Transportation Activities #14: Father’s Day Paper Airplane

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Kids love to make something for their dads. This Father’s Day paper airplane combines a simple gift with an invitation to spend time together and play. (The following instructions are from an earlier blog post.) 1. Fold an ordinary piece of printer paper in half, the long way or hotdog fold. Open it back up. … Continue reading Transportation Activities #14: Father’s Day Paper Airplane →