Find 2021 Father’s Day Gift Ideas and Events here.
Father’s Day is Sunday, June 21, 2020 and, like all other celebrations happening during the pandemic, will look a bit different this year. Whether, you’ve decided you’re ready to be out and about or if you’re still staying close to home, we’ve put together some fun ideas for you to celebrate your favorite Father in Des Moines.
To find even more family-friendly summer fun, be sure to visit our Calendar and Summer Fun Guide.
Here’s some ideas for socially distant Father’s Day fun in Des Moines:
Cook (or order) a delicious brunch. Whether you want to whip up some eggs or waffles, or support a local restaurant (Mullet’s, Waveland Café, St. Kilda), there’s no better way to celebrate Dad than over breakfast food.
Go for a bike ride. A great way to get outside while still social distancing is to go on a family bike ride. Even if it’s just around your neighborhood, riding bikes will give everyone some (let’s be honest, much-needed) exercise.
Reminisce about sports. Love bonding with your dad over Iowa Wild hockey? Make his Father’s Day even more fun with Iowa Wild drink accessories and tickets to next season’s games. Their Father’s Day Pack includes: four Father’s Day ticket vouchers (valid for any 20-21 regular season home game), two free home opener tickets, one hockey stick bottle opener and a Iowa Wild pint glass.
Organize a beer tasting. Bring the brewery to your home or take Dad to the brewery by organizing a beer tasting in his honor. Visit Twisted Vine Brewery, Firetrucker Brewery or Peacetree Brewing Co. and let the sipping begin. If your dad is more of a wine guy, feel free to swap the beer for vino.
Grill or order BBQ. If your dad is a grill master, he’ll love the Oink Gift Box Pork Lover’s Assortment, from Allspice Culinarium. It includes four fun flavors: Basque Seasoning, Pig Powder BBQ Rub, Rotisserie Rub and Smoked Peppercorn Sage Rub. Or, order up some BBQ from Smokey D’s and have a great Father’s Day dinner.
Take Dad fishing. Instead of Dad taking you fishing, turn the tables and take him fishing for Father’s Day. Go ahead and bait his hook, take the fish off the line and fillet them too, while you’re at it. We’ve listed a few places where you can go fishing in the Des Moines area here.
Handmake something. AR Workshop Ankeny has some easy and fun DIY kits for all ages, so that you can make your Dad something unique and handmade for Father’s Day.
Guzzle some root beer. Barn Town Brewery in West Des Moines is a great local brewery with many fine beers, but if your Dad’s just not into that, they also make a great Root Beer that you can buy in a two or four pack. It’s great to drink, but it would also make a good marinade for ribs.
Buy Dad some cool duds. Visit Badower’s on Ingersoll, an upscale local men’s shop and complete Dad’s new look with some cool accessories from Fontanelle Supply Co. in the East Village.
Celebrate the Solstice. Did you know that Father’s Day falls on the first full day of summer this year? And, there’s no better way to kick off the season than at the lake. Des Moines area lakes and beaches offer great opportunities for family fun swimming, boating and fishing.
Sip another local brew. If your Dad’s preferred brew is more dark roast than IPA, local small batch coffee roasters will peak his taste buds. Order online from Kingman’s Coffee or Corazon Coffee Roasters. You can also find them both at local farmers’ markets.
Put together a puzzle. Bozz Prints in Valley Junction is known for their Des Moines centric shirts and prints, but they recently started selling puzzles with their cool designs. They’ve been selling fast, so be sure to place your order sooner rather than later.
Paint together. Five Monkey’s Inc. is offering Pottery-to-go Kits. Pick out your project on-line, pick it up curbside and take it home to paint. Return it to the studio to have it fired. They offer a variety of DIY paint-your-own-pottery projects from mugs to decorative items. Check out the pottery options that Five Monkey’s offers!
Make a donation. If your dad is an outdoorsman who has everything, consider giving a gift in his name to help protect Iowa’s parks, wild lands and waterways. Donate to the Iowa Parks Foundation and the 2020 Centennial Celebration of the Iowa state parks system.
Have a movie night. A great way to bring Father’s Day to a close is with an outdoor movie night. You have plenty of choices of Father’s Day themed movies to choose from “Father of the Bride” to “Field of Dreams”.
How will you be celebrating Father’s Day this year? Inspire us…we’d love to hear!
