Activities of the Week
Take Time to Be a Dad Today! Here are some suggestions for easy, no-cost or low-cost ways to spend meaningful time with your family. Everyone’s circumstances are different, so some of these activities might not be possible for you and your children.
February 6, 2011 - February 12, 2011
Take a trip: Take a trip – “Travel” to Spain, China, or Australia. Borrow a library book with photos and facts about your destination, prepare a local-inspired meal, rent a documentary or movie that takes place in that country, and imagine yourselves there.
January 30, 2011 - February 4, 2011
Watch your kids’ favorite TV shows together: Watch your kids’ favorite TV shows together – If you can’t figure out why they like the programs so much, ask them.
January 23, 2011 - January 29, 2011
Play a video game: Play a video game – If your video game skills aren’t great, don’t be ashamed to ask your children to teach you.
January 16, 2011 - January 22, 2011
Help with homework: Help with homework – Check with your children’s teachers to find out what their class is working on and how you can support them.
January 9, 2011 - January 15, 2011
Wish upon a star: Visit a planetarium or check out the night sky from your own front yard. Search together for a book or Web site with information on stars and constellations.
January 2, 2011 - January 8, 2011
Care for a pet: If you have a family pet, share its care. Caring for your pet together will teach your kids about nurturing and responsibility.
December 26, 2010 - January 1, 2011
Bake a cake: Baking together is fun and can be educational. Improve children’s reading and math skills when you follow directions and measure ingredients. Plus, after all the learning, there’s cake.
December 19, 2010 - December 25, 2010
Unplug: Working all the time? Always on your phone? Turn off that laptop, leave your phone behind, and spend some uninterrupted time with your children.
December 12, 2010 - December 18, 2010
You-and-me time: If you have more than one child, plan special time alone with each of them.
December 5, 2010 - December 11, 2010
27. Work on a puzzle: Find a crossword or Sudoku puzzle in the newspaper, or pick up a book based on your expertise.
November 21, 2010 - December 4, 2010
Fix It Together: Work through your list of home improvement chores together and show your children how to repair household items.
November 14, 2010 - November 20, 2010
Catch a Movie: Check the rating and the description to make sure the film is appropriate for your child’s age. Remember your favorite scenes and talk about them on your way home.
November 7, 2010 - November 13, 2010
Visit the Library: Get library cards for each member of your family. Share the joy of reading without the financial commitment of buying books. Help your children pick out books you can read together.
October 31, 2010 - November 6, 2010
Let fatherhood go to your head: Take your son to the barber or learn to braid your daughter’s hair.
October 24, 2010 - October 30, 2010
Read the Sunday Comics: No time on Sunday? Save the comics and read them together when you have time.
October 17, 2010 - October 23, 2010
Eat out: Pick a place where you can sit and chat while you eat.
October 10, 2010 - October 16, 2010
Draw a picture: Choose a coloring book or plain paper, add crayons or paint, and create a work of art straight from the heart.
October 2, 2010 - October 9, 2010
Go grocery shopping: Buy healthy foods and treats. With younger children, work on alphabet and reading skills as you walk the aisles.
September 26, 2010 - October 2, 2010
Learn something: Learn something – Whether you read a biography or watch a National Geographic special, experience something new together.
September 19, 2010 - September 25, 2010
Listen to music: Listen to music – Select some songs and let your kids pick some of their favorites. Explain to each other what you like about each song. If you’re up to it, go ahead and dance.
September 12, 2010 - September 18, 2010
Double dad: Double dad – Hang out with another father and child. The kids can play together and the dads can share parenthood stories.
September 5, 2010 - September 11, 2010
Reminisce!: Reminisce – Share memories of our children’s youngest years or even before they were born. Ask them to talk about some of their favorite memories.
August 29, 2010 - September 4, 2010
Play cards: Learn new games and card tricks together. Make sure the game is appropriate for the children’s ages.
August 22, 2010 - August 28, 2010
Play a board game: Pick an age-appropriate game and remember to play by the rules.
August 15, 2010 - August 21, 2010
Ride a bike: Grab your helmets, map out a route, and take in the fresh air.
August 8, 2010 - August 14, 2010
Hit the playground: Swing, slide, jump, play. Have fun but stay safe.
August 1, 2010 - August 7, 2010
Volunteer in your community: Your child will gain a better understanding of the importance of helping others.
July 25, 2010 - July 31, 2010
Visit the zoo: Learn about a variety of animals and habitats, and talk about what makes them different (and similar) to us.
July 18, 2010 - July 24, 2010
Play an old-school game: Teach your children some of the classic games you played as a kid. Hide and seek, tag, kickball, and other low-tech games can be particularly fun in our digital age.
July 11, 2010 - July 17, 2010
Go camping: No need to head to the wilderness, brave the cold, or buy a tent. Just camp out in the living room with blankets draped over chairs.
July 11, 2010 - July 17, 2010
Go camping: No need to head to the wilderness, brave the cold, or buy a tent. Just camp out in the living room with blankets draped over chairs.
July 4, 2010 - July 10, 2010
Go to the hardware store: Share this classic experience with the next generation.
July 4, 2010 - July 10, 2010
Go to the hardware store: Share this classic experience with the next generation.
June 27, 2010 - July 3, 2010
Play ball: Or Frisbee, or soccer. Invite other dads and their kids to make it a team sport.
June 20, 2010 - June 26, 2010
Call another dad: And wish him a Happy Father’s Day. Help your children become comfortable speaking to adults and others on the phone.
June 13, 2010 - June 19, 2010
Call your father: Share what’s been going on in your lives – even if it’s just to talk about a TV show or a sporting event.
June 6, 2010 - June 12, 2010
Read together: Read a book, newspaper, magazine, the comics, anything will do as long as you are with your children.
In response to President Obama’s call for a national conversation on responsible fatherhood and healthy families, learn how you can join the President's Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative.
Información en Español
En respuesta al llamado del presidente Obama para una conversación nacional sobre la paternidad responsable y las familias saludables, aprender cómo usted puede unirse a la Iniciativa Presidencial de Padres y Mentores.
