Activities for Dads & Kids

The first full week in February is Children's Authors and Illustrators Week. What a great time to read some great books as a family! Reading together is fun and helps create enthusiastic, strong readers. Even older children enjoy being read to, and they may want to take turns reading to younger siblings. So, turn off the TV, gather the family, and spend some time enjoying children's books together! Celebrate Black History Month by taking part in the National African American Read-In. Take a look at the African American Read-In Toolkit to help plan your Read In!

January 29 is National Puzzle Day! Did you know that puzzles are a great math and spatial awareness building activity at any age? Puzzles also develop your child's problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Find the appropriate puzzle size for your child’s age and spend some time this week putting some puzzles together.

Monday, January 18 is the observance of the life, work, and teachings of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This is also observed as a day of service. What a great opportunity to show your children the value of service by finding an opportunity to help others.

January is a great time to get lost in a good book! Children who read from a young age tend to do better in school, and reading also helps to boost creativity and imagination. Reading together is also a great way to bond. So pick a great children’s book to read to your children or cuddle up together and read your own books. Then spend time discussing what you read.

January 7-10 is celebrated in Memphis as Elvis Presley’s birthday, which is January 8. So, put on some great classic Elvis Presley music and dance like a dad with your kids! #dancelikeadad

Card Playing Day is celebrated on December 28 and is a great reminder to spend time playing cards with your kids. Once the holiday hustle and bustle are over, it's may be time to turn to card games for a calmer, relaxing, and slower-paced form of fun and entertainment. Teach them some of the classic games like Go Fish for the younger kids and maybe Hearts for the older kids. Or teach them your favorite card game. There’s so many to play. Get playing and show us your hand using #CardPlayingDay and #fatherhoodgov to post on social media.

Regardless of what holidays you celebrate, cookies are a popular way to mark festivities in many cultures. This year try baking cookies from around the world! What a great way to explore other parts of the world and expand the variety of cookies in your home or that you give to others.

Chocolate lovers rejoice! December 16 is Chocolate Covered Anything Day and what a great way for kids to experiment with dipping and eating things in chocolate! Try healthy snacks like carrots or cauliflower. Try different chocolate flavors! Pour, spread, or drizzle chocolate over fruit, nuts, cakes, or pretzels. Experiment with all types of food! Show us your creations using #ChocolateCoveredAnythingDay and #fatherhoodgov on social media.

December 7 is designated as National Letter Writing Day so take the time to teach your kids the lost art of writing letters by hand. In the spirit of giving, you might want to write letters to our military sending messages of appreciation and support. Or maybe you and your child would like to reconnect with an old friend or distant family member or express something to a sports hero or political figure you look up to. The United States Postal Service and educational publisher Scholastic have teamed up to promote letter writing as a critical English language skill for U.S. schoolchildren Their website includes templates and lessons on letter writing. Make someone’s day, especially during the holidays.

Get a head start on holiday cooking by baking something with your kids.  Cooking with your kids has many benefits, including helping to build confidence as well as providing rich sensory experiences. Try one of these easy recipes together.