It is time to celebrate the Man with the Plan! Father’s Day is the perfect day to spend with Dad by indulging in one of his favorite activities. Whether it is hiking, golfing, fishing, or biking, there are so many choices to make his day special and fun, but most importantly, engaged in an outing with the kids.
To ensure a successful day, select an activity that is enjoyed by everyone involved and make it age-appropriate for the kids; then check out some of the suggested activities below for all-out fantastic fun to honor Dad.
Bountiful Biking Trails
Learning to ride a bike is a right of passage, and once everyone in the family has mastered this skill, there are a plethora of area trails to choose from. The distances and scenery vary, so select a trail that is attainable for little legs and one that offers either a place to stop for a picnic or a hidden gem to discover such as a creek or pond. Exploring together as a family is priceless, so get the legs pumping and hit one of these top bike trails to make Dad’s day!
Oh, and if the littlest one is too little to ride a bike on his own, strap him into a bike seat and take him along. No one gets left behind!
Hiking Never Felt So Good
If Dad is an outdoor enthusiast, treat him to an afternoon of hiking one of the area’s many parks or nature preserves where the trails are inviting and the fresh air is free! As with biking, pick a trail that offers a distance fit for the whole family, and set off for some great exercise and family bonding time. Pack a lunch and a blanket for some spontaneous leisure time – maybe even a nap for Dad – in the great outdoors.
The choices abound so have fun deciding which of these inviting trails you want to explore!
Gone Fishin’
You do not have to be cast away at sea to go fishing with Dad. Instead, there are plenty of fresh water fishing opportunities within a simple drive. If a catch-and-release afternoon of fishing is appealing, your fishermen (and women) may want to try Valley Creek located in Valley Forge Park. A quieter spot for anglers is the Loch Alsh Reservoir located in Upper Dublin fully stocked with bass and sunfish by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat commission.
Whether the fish are nibbling or not, it is still a perfect way to spend a few hours with Dad.
Fore! Teeing It Up Mini-Style
If golf is your dad’s game but the kids aren’t old enough to make it around the links, keep the golf theme going anyway with a round of mini golf at the delightful courses that are available for your family outing. Always colorful, always nostalgic, mini-golf is at its finest when played together. Choose from one of the area’s best mini golf courses for a friendly golf game where the goal is always aiming for a hole in one!
For the Love of Food
No matter how you decide to spend the day with Dad, food will be part of the plan. An old fashioned cookout at home or a family meal at his favorite local place (consider take out as well!) will be the perfect ending to his day. But to completely cap off the day in style, take the family to one of these spectacular ice cream parlors for a delicious Father’s Day treat.
Make it a Father’s Day like no other by selecting one of these activities and celebrating with Dad. It may turn into a new family tradition for years to come, but regardless, you will definitely be making memories that will last forever.
First published June 2021, updated May 2024