Father's Day, Sunday 6 September, is fast approaching, and I’m determined that this year we’ll think of something better than socks! One of the best things we can gift the special people in our lives is our time, so why not consider gifting Dad a shared experience or family fun day. Of course, you can choose to celebrate any special person at this time of year – honouring grandparents, mums and others who’ve played a special role.

Your “day out with dad” may take place on Father's Day itself or any suitable day following; just tell him all about the plans in his Father's Day card. Be sure to take photos of your adventures on the day as those images will evoke memories in the future. 

Is he a sports mad dad?

Does Dad live for the result of the big weekend match? Whether it’s rugby, cricket, basketball, netball or anything else, a family day together watching his favourite sport is bound to be memorable. Give him a chance to explain the rules and strategies to the kids, while you all eat hot chips and fizzy drinks and make some noise supporting your local team. Check out what’s coming up at eventfindastadium.co.nz and aucklandstadiums.co.nz/whats-on

Maybe Dad’s sport of choice is golf. If you have slightly older or adult kids, a day on the golf course can give them time to talk with each other as well as offering Dad a chance to share golfing tips. If you’re new to golf, consider gifting Dad and yourself joint coaching sessions; you will learn a new sport and have a new shared interest to enjoy. We have beautiful golf courses on the North Shore, all of which offer coaching sessions. Check out pupuke.co.nz or waitematagolf.co.nz for options.

Or the king of the barbecue?

It takes skill and patience to create delicious low and slow barbecue. If Dad has a taste for smoky flavours, why not join him in a masterclass? Barbecueing is a hobby all of its own, with many styles and types of equipment with which to experiment, as well as festivals you can attend together. Spend a delicious and fun day with award-winning pitmasters 'BBQWar' and acquire skills you can use again and again to impress (and feed!) your family and friends. Check out their BBQ Shop for equipment and supplies and their Facebook page to sign up for one of their monthly masterclasses. 8A Kaimahi Road, Wairau Valley bbqwar.co.nz Facebook: Team BBQWAR Instagram: teambbqwarnz

Is he a crafter or good with his hands?

A crafty dad would love to join you in learning to make something new, especially if it’s informal and fun. Making mistakes together while you’re learning can be hugely funny, and when you do manage to craft something correctly, you can both feel proud. Why not make cups together at Mead Ceramics, which hosts a 'Date with Clay' session that is all about the fun of squishing clay and giving the wheel a go. (Minimum age 15, up to six people) 8 Henry Rose Place. meadceramics.com

You can also check out the range of classes at Lake House Arts Centre and Mairangi Arts Centre for other classes that might appeal to him. lakehousearts.org.nz or mairangiarts.co.nz

Or a piratical rum-loving dad? 

Does Dad love the complexity of flavours in a good rum? Spend a few hours together at Rum School (or Gin School if he’s a gin drinker) with D:STIL Project in Coatesville. They have an amazing range of botanicals and copper alembic stills for making rum along with clear instructions and advice to help you. And you get to take your masterpiece home to show off to your friends! dstilproject.nz

Does he love to get out on the sea?

If you’re a family with a boat, gift Dad a new fishing lure and head off for a fishing day. Make it a competition and award certificates or prizes – for younger kids you might want funny awards like the smallest or ugliest fish, or a prize for the best baiter of hooks and the best fishing spot finder. If you haven’t got a boat, consider our great North Shore wharves. Pack up a lunchbox, fishing gear and bait and make sure Dad tells you his most whopping fish stories. Find out more about wharf fishing here: fishing.net.nz/fishing-advice/general-articles/aucklands-top-spots-techniques-for-wharf-fishing

A more adventurous option for a dad who has older or adult kids is a jet ski tour from Sea Auckland at Bayswater Marina. See the harbour or the Hauraki Gulf from a new perspective and experience the thrill of speeding through the water alongside an experienced guide. Tours range from 1 to 3.5 hours. (Minimum age 16 years old for driving a jet-ski, 8 years old for a passenger with their legal guardian) sea-auckland.nz

Is he a history buff? 

Does Dad love finding out more about days gone by? Spend an afternoon together on a guided tour of North Head/Maungauika. Run by the Auckland Coastal Defences Historical Trust, the tours explore a complex of tunnels, guns, searchlights and fortifications. One of the most interesting items is the eight-inch disappearing gun built in 1886. Either book a private tour (minimum of 10 people) or make a date for the Auckland Heritage Festival, where there will be set tours (26 September–11 October) on Saturdays and Sundays at 10am or 2pm. (Tunnel tour is not suitable for prams or wheelchairs) Find out more: forts.org.nz/north-head 

Or a gamer dad?

Computer gaming doesn’t have to be a solitary pursuit; you can have a hilarious 'gaming afternoon' for Dad in your own lounge with the family participating in younger-focused games or have your teenagers teach Dad their favourite, harder to master game. Then there’s the whole wide world of board games. Set up a retro-themed board game day in your lounge and play games Dad remembers from his youth like Monopoly, Scrabble and Twister, accompanied by a feast of his favourite classic snacks. 

If Dad and the kids have energy to burn and are amping to compete, why not try something with a little more adrenaline? Thrillzone in Takapuna offers laser tag, VR games, racing car simulators and escape room adventures, to name a few of their many options. Thrillzone at 28 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna. thrillzone.co.nz

Is he busy with littlies?

Spending time playing, laughing and joining in with your under-10s is special because these young years really do pass so fast. With a little organisation, play-time can be turned into a Father's Day event, rather than just a regular weekend morning. Involve the kids’ creativity and humour in your plans, and get them to create a backyard sports day for Dad after his special Father's Day breakfast. They can set an adventure course to compete on against Dad, following their own rules, jumping through hoops, balancing on a board, and hopping through a chalk-drawn hopscotch, for example. Or host your own World Cup of backyard soccer, cricket or basketball, or gift Dad a yard game like Finska, Kubb or Cornhole and crown a champion after a few practices! It’s an easy way to get everyone outdoors laughing and bonding, and the games can come out again at the next family gathering.

Don’t have a backyard? You can play frisbee golf for free at Rosedale Park (find out more at udisc.com), or head for an exciting game of mini golf at Gloputt at 28 Barrys Point Road, Takapuna. gloputt.co.nz

Or an elderly dad?

If the dad you’re celebrating is frail or infirm, it can be hard to think of activities they would like to do that are both safe and comfortable for them. A great option is to spend time reflecting on happy memories, going through old photo albums, and asking them to explain the stories behind the photos or treasures they’ve collected. Why not gather the whānau for a shared meal, have some of Dad’s favourite foods, and let him be the guest speaker for a ‘show and tell’ of family memorabilia?

There are just a few days a year where we celebrate and honour parents. Whether you spend it having an exciting adventure, learning a new skill or hobby, or doing something quieter and more poignant together, you’ll be creating a memory that is longer-lasting than a tangible gift.