Activities to make Father's Day special

11 Activities to do with kids on Father's Day

Switch roles with them

Let them be the dad and you, the kid.

Tell them a story, but not one from a book

Make something up or tell them a few anecdotes from your childhood -- especially ones where you got into trouble.

Do something important in the community

Volunteer at a homeless shelter. Help Habitat for Humanity build a house. Or, if the kids are older, do some work for a cause they support.

Make a movie of the day

If you don't have a movie camera, take a few rolls of regular film, get them developed at a one-hour photo place, and make a scrapbook.

Make them proud of themselves

 Pretend you like the tie they got you and wear it all day.

Take (don't send) them to a concert

They get to pick the music and you resist the urge to complain about it.

Listen

Set aside some time and let the kids know that you're available to listen to anything they have to say on any topic at all. Give advice only if they ask for it.

Visit or call or write your own father to wish him a happy Father's Day

If he's not alive, spend some time telling your kids about him.

Write the kids a thank-you card -- not for the gifts, but just for being.

After all, you wouldn't be a father without them.

Let them meet the secret you

Tell them something about your self that they've never heard before -- could be favorite place or a secret dream you had as a kid.

Best of all: Do absolutely nothing

Spend a completely unstructured day with the kids doing exactly what they want to do. Ignore the distractions of the phone, e-mail, bills, work and errands, and focus completely on them. Top off the day with an ice-cream sundae.

Tell us What is your favorite childhoold memory of your Dady? Share with us in the comments section below.

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