7 Father’s Day Activities for Daycare Centres That Strengthen Family Engagement

May 29, 2026

Father’s Day is a wonderful opportunity for childcare centres to build stronger family connections while creating meaningful memories for children and their families. The best part is that you don’t need a huge budget or complicated planning to make it special for the children and their families.

Simple, thoughtful activities can help fathers, grandfathers, stepdads, uncles, and other important caregivers feel welcomed and involved in your childcare community. These moments often leave a lasting impression on families and help strengthen overall parent engagement.

Here are 7 simple and low-cost Father’s Day activity ideas your daycare centre can try this year.

1. “Donuts with Dad” Morning Drop-In

One of the easiest and most popular Father’s Day activities is hosting a casual morning snack event before drop-off. It doesn’t require a huge time commitment and is the perfect start to the morning for everyone! Families can spend a few extra minutes together in the classroom before starting the day. It creates a relaxed opportunity for caregivers to interact with educators and see the classroom environment firsthand. If you want to try baking your own, this recipe from Chocolate Covered Katie is sure to be a winner!

Serve simple items like:

  • Donuts or muffins
  • Coffee or tea
  • Fruit or juice boxes

Low-cost tip: Ask local bakeries or coffee shops if they would like to donate or sponsor treats for community exposure.

2. DIY Father’s Day Gift Station

Children love creating handmade gifts, and families treasure them for years. The goal is not perfection. Families appreciate thoughtful, child-made keepsakes much more than expensive gifts. Use Pinterest for tons of inspiration!

Set up a simple craft station where children can make:

  • Handprint art
  • Painted picture frames
  • “My Favourite Things About You” cards
  • Decorated mugs or flower pots

Bonus idea: Display photos of children making their gifts inside your parent app or family portal to increase engagement.

3. Outdoor Family Picnic or BBQ

If space and weather allows, organize a short after-school picnic or mini BBQ. This type of event encourages casual conversations between staff and families while helping parents connect with one another too. It also works well for centres that want to strengthen their sense of community without hosting a formal event.

Keep it simple:

  • Bubbles and sidewalk chalk
  • Music playlist
  • Hot dogs or popsicles
  • Outdoor games

Tip: Ask families to bring along a dish or snack to share with their friends if they’d like.

4. “Special Guest Reader” Day

Invite fathers or caregivers to visit the classroom and read a favourite children’s book. Children absolutely love seeing their family members participate in classroom activities, and it gives caregivers a chance to feel directly involved in their child’s learning environment. You can also ask the child to bring in their favourite book from home.

To make participation easier:

  • Offer flexible time slots
  • Allow virtual participation if needed
  • Include grandfathers, uncles, older siblings, or family friends

5. Father’s Day Photo Booth

Create a simple photo backdrop using inexpensive decorations like:

  • Construction paper
  • Balloons
  • Printable signs
  • Dollar store props

Take quick photos of children with their caregivers during pick-up or drop-off. These photos create lasting memories, increase event participation, and provide easy content for newsletters or parent communication apps. You can also use these photos to create sweet Father’s Day gifts!

6. “Build Together” Activity Table

Set up a collaborative station where children and caregivers can complete a quick activity together. You can do this at drop-off or pick-up, or even set it up during the same time as the donuts or picnic. The activity itself does not need to be elaborate. The goal is simply creating quality interaction time between children and caregivers.

Ideas include:

  • LEGO building challenge
  • Wooden block towers
  • Simple puzzles
  • Paper airplane decorating
  • Mini birdhouse kits

These shared moments often become the highlight of the event.

7. Create a “Wall of Appreciation”

Invite children to answer prompts like:

  • “My dad makes me laugh when…”
  • “I love spending time with you because…”
  • “My favourite thing we do together is…”

Display the responses on a bulletin board or hallway wall. Kids absolutely love seeing themselves and their family reflected in the space where they spend so much of their time. They’ll also be excited to show and share with their little friends. This activity is not only extremely low-cost and easy to prepare, it is also meaningful for families and great for classroom displays.

Parents often stop to read every single response, making it one of the most impactful activities despite being one of the simplest.

Why Father’s Day Activities Matter in Childcare

Family engagement is not built only through large events. Often, it grows through small, consistent moments where families feel welcomed, included, and appreciated. A large event is really just the icing on the cake and a fun way to bring everyone together. Simple activities that encourage connection can make families feel more engaged with your centre all year long. These simple yet meaningful Father’s Day activities for daycare will help to:

  • Strengthen parent relationships
  • Build trust with families
  • Increase classroom participation
  • Create positive childcare experiences
  • Foster a stronger childcare community

Remember: he most successful events are usually the ones that feel relaxed, genuine, and easy for busy families to attend.

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