Father’s Day does not seem to be celebrated quite the same as Mother’s Day. There are definitely far less events on the calendar – especially brunches. The traditional Father’s Day celebration seems to be a cookout at home more than going out for brunch. Dads also benefit from a summer day – head to the local pools and water parks, hit the lake or river, or other fun summer activities.
Father’s Day Activities for Different Dad’s
Every Dad is different, so the best Father’s Day Activity in Ann Arbor will depend on Dad himself. We’ve combed through all of the events and activities and assembled them into itineraries for different types of Dads,
Enjoy Sports with Dad for Father’s Day
Does Dad love sports?
- Detroit Tigers host the Chicago White Sox at 1:40p
- Historic Baseball at Greenfield Village
While there aren’t many options for watching sports in person, you can also play sports with Dad.
- Hit the Golf Course, Putting Range, or Mini Golf Course
- Head to a local playground with soccer, baseball, or basketball facilities.
Father’s Day Activities for the Car Guy
Does Dad love cars? He’s in luck. There are a couple of great options.
- Greenfield Village hosts Motor Muster on Father’s Day Weekend. Or head indoors to The Henry Ford Museum for their car displays.
- Visit the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum while you’re there you can also head to the Michigan Firehouse Museum to see old firetrucks.
Ideas for the Dad who Loves History
We have a lot of overlap for the History loving Dad.
- Michigan Flight Museum
- Ypsilanti Automotive History Museum
- Greenfield Village
- Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
Kelsey Museum of Archaeology- Wednesday Activity Review
This review of the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology is part of our Summer Series: Wednesday Activity Reviews. Did you know that University of Michigan has its own Museum of Archaeology? The Kelsey Museum of Archaeology on the University of Michigan campus focuses on archaeology from the Mediterranean region. Kelsey Museum of Archaeology The museum is […]
Father’s Day Activities for the Music Lover
The Music Loving Dad is in luck this year. Every year June 21 is Make Music Day…and that is Father’s Day this year. Sign Dad up to make music, or plan to make several stops throughout the day
Jam Along at Make Music Day
Make Music Day is a live, free musical celebration that takes place on June 21 every year—the longest day of the year. Cities across the world – including Ann Arbor – celebrate with concerts by professional and amateur musicians. This year allows for more events with June 21 falling on a Sunday Make Music Ann […]
Top of the Park is also a great option for the Music Loving Dad.
Outoorsy Father’s Day Activities
Father’s Day is perfect for the outdoors loving dad – as long as the weather cooperates.
- Take a Kayaking Trip
- Tube the Huron
- Visit a lake for swimming
- Take a Hike through one of Ann Arbor’s many parks
Father’s Day Activities for the Geeky Dad
Is Dad more into the “Geeky” Activities?
- Visit Pinball Pete’s which reopened in their new location in April
- Check out events at Ann Arbor District Library
- Visit a Comic Book or Game Shop
- Take on an Escape Room
- Check out the movie list! The Mandalorian & Grogu, Masters of the Universe, and Toy Story 5 will all appeal to different types of geeky dads.
Introduce the Kids to Retro 80s Fun At Pinball Pete’s
My husband and I grew up in the 80s when visiting the arcade was a regular activity. There were arcades in every shopping mall – often right outside the food court. No trip to the mall with friends was complete without time in the arcade. Pinball Pete’s is reminiscent of the classic arcades we grew […]
Make with Dad on Father’s Day
Is Dad a maker or tinkerer? We’ve got ideas beyond a trip to the hardware store.
- Head to SCRAP Creative Reuse to find materials for a new project.
- Maker Works has a workshop that is suitable for ages 12+
- AADL has Collage Making
Foodie Ideas for Father’s Day
Whether Dad’s a foodie (/beer afficianado) or not, we all need to eat on Father’s Day! I miss the days that Ann Arbor had a Summer Restaurant Week that started on Father’s Day. But, all is not lost.
- Ashley’s Lobsterfest – wraps up on Father’s Day
- Top of the Park is a great choice since everyone can get their pick of cuisine at Culinary Row. And you can make a stop at the Beer Garden for adult beverages.
- Enjoy dinner downtown at Dad’s favorite restaurant, then walk down to Top of the Park.
Father’s Day Activities for the “Family Guy” Dad
I’m not talking about the Family Guy show, I’m talking about the Dad who just wants to enjoy some great family time doing things everyone will enjoy.
- Swimming is always a great idea for family time.
- Go see a movie – Toy Story 5 is great for all ages
- Take a Trip to the Zoo
- End the day at Top of the Park
All Father’s Day Activity Ideas:
Since so many of our ideas crossed different types of Dad’s we’re including more complete descriptions of some of these ideas here.
Top of the Park
Be sure to check out the fun at Top of the Park on Father’s Day. Reserve your FREE tickets for the show Kif-Kif Sisters: Returns Department indoors at Lydia Medelssohn Theatre, watch David Zinn making his chalk art, They’re celebrating all types of music with SOUSAPALLOOZA:, Ann-Hua Chinese Ensemble and Ann-Hua Choir, Dragon and Lion Dance Parade, and Afro Brazilian Capoeira Parade. Stop by the KidZone to Meet Certified Therapy Dogs, and stay for the movie – Coco.
Swimming with Dad
My family has celebrated Father’s Day at Rolling Hills Water Park in the past. It was not as crowded as other Sundays. Other options are any of the other pools in the area – Buhr, Fuller, Veterans, or Rutherford Pool.
On the Water
Spend Father’s Day on the Huron River! Are you into tubing, kayaking (still or hitting the rapids)? It’s a great way to spend time together.
Dining with Dad
I miss the days when there was a summer Restaurant Week that started on Father’s Day. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some great dining options. Ashley’s annual Lobsterfest ends on Father’s Day – I suggest making reservations. Or, consider these places where Kids Eat Free on Sundays.
Ann Arbor’s Best-Kept Secret: Where Kids Eat Free
There are a number of restaurants that offer Kids Eat Free in Ann Arbor and surrounding towns. These deals are available on various days of the week. Please verify with restaurants as they sometimes change their promotion. When I hear about changes, I will update the list. Free kids meals typically are only free with […]
Father’s Day Events
Father’s Day Themed Events in June
| Date/Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 💙🎟 | May 30 2:00pm-3:00pm | Wild About Dad - Kids Painting pARTy at Whitepine Studios, Saline Michigan |
Other Events on Father’s Day
| Date/Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 💙🎟 | June 19 3:00pm-12:00pm | Family Campout at Kensington Metropark, Milford Michigan |
June 21 9:00am-1:00pm | Tot Splash at Buhr Park Pool, Ann Arbor Michigan | |
| 💙🆓 | June 21 10:00am-12:00pm | Make Music Day: Musical Petting Zoo at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 🆓 | June 21 10:00am-2:00pm | Whitmore Lake Farmers Market at Northfield Community Park, Whitmore Lake Michigan |
| 💙🎟 | June 21 11:30am | Paddington in Peru - Summer Kids Series at Emagine Saline, Saline Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | June 21 12:00pm-2:00pm | Collage Making at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | June 21 12:00pm-4:00pm | U-M Medical History Exhibit
at Museum on Main Street, Ann Arbor Michigan This free exhibit celebrates the Medical School's 175th anniversary, and the 100th anniversary of the "Old Main" hospital that was U-M's flagship for more than 60 years. It runs on weekends through August 30. Kids and grownups can explore artifacts including 1800s surgical kits, a 1910s wheelchair, early scientific equipment...Read More |
| 💙🎟 | June 21 1:00pm-5:00pm | Fairy Doors (May Edition) at SCRAP Creative Reuse, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | June 21 1:00pm-3:00pm | Make Music Day: Folk Song Jam Along at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | June 21 3:00pm-4:30pm | Make Music Day | Intro to Home Recording at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓🎟 | June 21 4:00pm-5:00pm | Kif-Kif Sisters: Returns Department at Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | June 21 4:00pm | Make Music Day: Free Organ Concert at Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor MI |
| 💙🆓 | June 21 4:00pm-6:30pm | Top of the Park KidZone: Experience the Love - Meet Certified Therapy Dogs at Top of the Park, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | June 21 4:30pm-6:00pm | Make Music Day - DJ Workshop at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | June 21 4:30pm-6:45pm | SOUSAPALLOOZA: Make Music Day at Top of the Park, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | June 21 5:00pm-10:00pm | David Zinn at Top of the Park at Top of the Park, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | June 21 5:00pm-10:00pm | Top of the Park Music at Top of the Park, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | June 21 5:30pm | Top of the Park Annex - Ann-Hua Chinese Ensemble and Ann-Hua Choir at Top of the Park, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 🆓 | June 21 5:30pm | Top of the Park Retreat at Top of the Park, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓🎟 | June 21 6:00pm-7:00pm | Kif-Kif Sisters: Returns Department at Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | June 21 6:30pm-8:45pm | Dragon and Lion Dance Parade - Top of the Park Spectacle at Top of the Park, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | June 21 7:30pm-9:45pm | Afro Brazilian Capoeira Parade at Top of the Park, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | June 21 9:45pm-11:30pm | Coco - Top of the Park Movie at Top of the Park, Ann Arbor Michigan |
Now Playing
New this weekend is The Breadwinner. Other movies in Theaters include
- The Breadwinner – PG
- The Mandalorian & Grogu – PG-13
- Michael – PG-13
- The Devil Wears Prada 2 – PG-13
- The Sheep Detectives – PG
- Pressure – PG-13
- Project Hail Mary – PG-13
- The Super Mario Galaxy Movie – PG
Emagine has showings of Batman (1989) on Saturday and Sunday.
Upcoming Movies
Check out the list of movies coming soon for kids, teens, and families.
- June 5 – Masters of the Universe
- June 19 – Toy Story 5
- June 26 – Supergirl
- July 1 – Minions 3
- July 10 – Moana
- July 17 – The Odyssey
- July 31 – Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Not This Year
Ann Arbor Comic Arts Festival
The Comic Arts Festival is often on Father’s Day weekend. But, with the way the calendar falls in 2026, it is the weekend before Father’s Day. In 2016, my daughter and I attended the Ann Arbor Comic Arts Festival. We had a great time – it would be a fun time for a comics loving dad and kids!
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Those are such a fun things to do with the kids. I can’t wait to watch Cars either with the family.