Though it may be tempting (and perhaps simpler) to just go pick out a gift from the kids for dear old Dad this Father’s Day, consider these ways to help your children celebrate their dad their way instead. Gifts from the heart of their children are likely to mean more to Dad anyway.

Ways to Help Children Celebrate Their Dads on Father’s Day

1. Give them a journal or notebook and craft supplies needed to let them write their own “Dad and Me” book. Encourage them to include pictures, stories and mementos (for example, ticket stubs or pieces of sporting event programs).
2. Help your children give the gift of themselves. Give them the opportunity to choose an activity to do with Dad. Maybe they can go fishing together or to a ballgame together.  Help them choose something they know Dad likes to do.
3. Let your child make a big crown for Dad to wear all day. Then treat him like a king. He gets to pick the food all day. He chooses the activities. He gets to be in charge. Make it a fun thing for the family to show Dad extra love!
4. Give children some special chores to do so they can earn money to buy Dad a gift. Knowing it was their money and that they got to pick it out makes it even more special to the kids and more meaningful to Dad.
5. Suggest ideas for a coupon book for Dad. Help kids make a list of ways they could help Dad around the house or yard. Let them decorate the coupons however they’d like and remind them to do the tasks cheerfully when Dad redeems the coupons.

Our Fathers do so much to take care of and love us. Let’s be creative this year in ways to celebrate him. Instead of buying him yet another tie, consider ways to help our kids find unique ways to shower Dad with appreciation.

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