How To Celebrate Legends in Lockdown This Father’s Day

Father’s Day might look a little different this year (thanks again 2020, it’s been a real pleasure), but that just means it’s time to flex those creative muscles and get inventive with how we celebrate our incredible dads, stepdads and grandads on June 21st. His favourite restaurant, football stadium or pub can all wait until next year, because this is the year of the DIY Father’s Day.

We’ve taken a break from our latest 1,000 piece puzzle (a.k.a torture device) to put our heads together and think of some fun ways to surprise him and put a huge smile on his face, whatever his personality. So, whether you’re with him in person this year or sending love through the post, we’ve got just the ideas for you to do from your own home to spoil him rotten and make this Father’s Day really one to remember.

For the Foodie Fathers

For the dad who likes a snack...or two...or go on then three if you insist (same tbh) we’ve thought of some fun foodie related Father’s Day activities the whole family can enjoy. At the top of our list is an absolute Summer classic, the good old BBQ. Did you know that it’s scientifically impossible for a dad to smell a BBQ cooking without saying the words “Ooh someone’s having a BBQ”? Well, it is. You can try this out first hand by surprising him with a surprise BBQ in his very own garden, so when he says ‘Ooh someone’s having a BBQ’ you can reply, “Yes! It’s you, Dad! Happy Father’s Day!”

• If he’s got a bit of a sweet tooth you could try the blindfold chocolate taste test challenge. Does he know his Cadbury from his Toblerone? Can he spot Galaxy from a mile off? Or is he a die-hard Thorntons fan boy? Find an old sock, tie it round his face, and find out!

• Or, if he likes the idea of growing food just as much as eating it, you could get him set up with his very own vegetable garden! Thank god for the internet because you can buy seeds for just about anything from the comfort of your own home, and he’ll be serving up his home grown veggie stew in no time!

For the Sporty Dads

For the dads that are up at the crack of dawn for a casual 20-mile run, the dads that follow the religion of Formula 1, the dads that love their football team like their actual child and the dads with all the cycling gear and no idea. It’s time to slap on the sun cream, tie up your trainer shoelaces and head sportily into the great outdoors, or ya know, the garden.

Whilst we’re dealing with the restrictions of social distancing, the good news is there are plenty of outdoor activities you can still do and at the same time take advantage of this glorious weather:

• You could try a mini-game of rounders in the park.

• A little local treasure hunt.

• A long-distance tennis match.

• Heck, or even dust off the pile of maps in the corner of the kitchen and plan a Father’s Day hike for him!

• Or you could just put on a Joe Wicks and do some star jumps in the garden.

For the Sci-fi Superhero Dads

Is your Dad comic book crazy? Does he know every line to every superhero film ever made? Is he as obsessed with Baby Yoda as we are? Well, if the answer to those questions is a resounding ‘heck yeah’, we’ve got some cracking DIY stay-at-home Father’s Day plans he’ll absolutely love.

• You could marathon every single Marvel film and see who can last the longest without taking a toilet break.

• You can take it in turns to see who can do the best Joker impression.

• Or perhaps, with a printer and a dream, rustle up your own pin the cape on Batman game.

• And finally, if you’re feeling especially artistic you could design your very own comic book starring the one and only Super Dad. Some special power ideas for you. Ability to soak a dish in the sink for up to 48 hours! Superhuman shelf-putting-up strength! Radioactive snores! Have some fun, and make him chuckle.

For the Pint-loving Dads

The local pubs might be closed (don’t worry we’ll wait for you Wetherspoons, we’ll be together again soon) but we can still enjoy a cold pint or a fruity cocktail in almost every room in the house and raise a glass to the old man! Apart from the bathroom, let’s keep it classy, people.

• Father’s Day cocktail or mocktail making can be a great way to fend off the boredom and sample some delicious bevs all at once. So, if your Piña Cola-dad is a bit Old Fashioned, bring him into the modern day with a trendy Quarantini! When he’s back from shopping for essentials Negronly, he can enjoy the great Gin-doors or spend the afternoon working on his Cosmopoli-tan in the garden with a fun cocktail in hand.

• Another idea for a fun Father’s Day activity for the whole family is the nation’s favourite: the pub quiz! But never fear, if Dad can’t go to the pub quiz, bring the pub quiz to Dad! If your general knowledge is a bit sketchy, try googling ‘best pub quiz questions of all time’ and hey presto you’re a fully qualified quizmaster.

• If quizzes aren’t his thing, or he’s already done about 100 since March, you could try brewing your own family beer, or creating your own infused spirits! Or failing all that, just make him do a shot of vodka for every year he’s been a father. Cheers all round!

For the Dads That Love a Joke

As a homage to all our terrible-dad-joke-telling dads, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite (and most cheesy) dad jokes.

• What did the 0 say to the 8? Nice belt!

• I went to a seafood disco last week! Pulled a mussel!

• What do you call a man with a rubber toe? Roberto!

• What did the police officer say to the belly button? You're under a vest!

• What's Forrest Gump's computer password? 1forrest1.

• What kind of magic do cows believe in? Moodoo!

You could tell him one joke on the hour every hour for the entirety of Father’s Day? Write them on post-it notes and put them inside all his socks as a fun foot surprise? Or perhaps if you’re feeling adventurous and enjoy inflicting pain on yourself, you could give him a book full of dad jokes and spend the next year hearing them constantly! Gift at your own peril.