I’m not sure when saying Happy Father’s Day meant handing him a tie or a bottle of cologne, but this year, why not think a little out of the box. Don’t get me wrong, a new tie or cologne are great gifts, but so is spending quality time with Dad and the family, or maybe giving him some new fitness equipment, to inspire him to stay fit or if he’s been off the "Fitness" wagon, so to speak get him started on taking care of his life by getting himself in shape, so he will be around for years to come! This Father’s Day let’s honor all the dads by planning some fit and fun activities to do together.
Here are a few ideas on what we can do as a family to celebrate "Dad”
How about a game of miniature golf? We’ve all done it, and maybe we haven’t gone to a mini-golf course in years, all the better to finally put that challenge to rest of who is the better putter, or go to the driving range and see who is better at hitting a bucket of balls. What ever happens, you can bet it will put a smile on everyone’s faces just to be together as a family having fun together…
Take Dad out to a ball game
Like Father’s Day, seeing a baseball game is right up there with some of the best events to go to. What's the old saying?? Baseball is American as apple pie? Why not get some tickets to your dad’s favorite pro-team or if you have a minor team in your area, that is sure to be a hit also. Enjoy the feeling of being in the ballpark, enjoying a hot-dog, or a bag of peanuts while routing your dad’s team on. Something even better, if you’re having a family gathering to honor dad, why not get a ball game going and pair off into teams with the losers doing all the cooking on the family grill? Its sure to help create the memories that both your dad and your family will remember for a long time to come!!
How about a game of bowling?
I bet your dad would jump at the chance to show off how good a bowler he is. This is a great way to spend some fun time with your dad, especially if the day turns out to be in-climate. Make sure you go the extra step and get your dad a loud,,,, I said really loud bowling shirt…you know the type, the same kind that Guy Fieri wears, on his hit show, Diner’s, Drive-In’s and Dives!! Let him be the “King Pin” for the day!!
Go Fishing:
You may never find a more relaxing way to spend a day then to grab your fishing poles, a bucket of bait, a couple of lawn chairs and take your dad off to the favorite fishing hole. Just by being there with your dad can help bring back the great memories you had a kids when dad showed you how to bait your hooks and help you real in your “catch of the day” even if it was only a sunny! This is a great time to open up with your father and just let the both of you catch up on what is going on in both of your lives,,,, Remember, Dad can always be count on to offer some “Sage” advice, cause you know,,, he’s been around the block a time or two.
Places of Interest:
If your father is a history buff or veteran, visiting a history museum, war memorial, or other historic site in your area will probably be a hit for his Father's Day wishes. We are fortunate that our country has an abundance of historical sites, parks and commemorative battlefields throughout the country that for most of us are only a few hours’ drive away. Most of these historic sites have trails that you can all take to see the many points of interest that took place in our countries early history. This is another great way to have dad get some hiking in that will elevate his heart rate and get his blood pumping. Pack his favorite sandwiches and snacks, and enjoy a picnic nearby. Spending the time with Dad and getting re-acquainted with the historic sites will be sure to be a cap for a great Father’s Day.
Get Dad Moving and Active:
Recent studies have only confirmed that people who sit for most of the day — as most of us do — were 54% more likely to die of a heart attack? Let’s make sure that dad is not part of these stats!
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking or biking. If he doesn’t have one, make arrangements to rent a bike for the day or weekend and put together a bike excursion that will get his blood flowing, but be careful not to overdo it the first time out. You can make it a family participation, which is a great way to do something out of the box this Father’s Day that you will all remember for a long, long time.
No matter what you do this Father’s Day, keep in mind that you may be able to get Dad interested in being more active, which will help him in being fitter and healthier for the long term. Along with the above, why not give your dad a way to track his progress, no matter what he’s doing to be active and fit. Surprise him with a Garmin Heart Rate Activity tracker. This might be just the additional incentive to keep him being active. Some of us like to see how well we are doing and create goals for ourselves that can help us stay motivated to keep up the healthy lifestyle you helped him with this Father’s Day.