Photo courtesy of the Moonstruck Drive-in

1. Catch a Drive-In movie

Indulge in some nostalgia with a family trip to one of Houston's drive-in movies. The kids will be entertained, and Dad can relax and eat popcorn!

2. Play at Kemah Boardwalk

We can all agree that most dads are basically big kids anyway, right? With that in mind, a trip out to the Kemah Boardwalk riding amusement rides and playing arcade games is sure to be the perfect way to spend the day.

3. Enjoy the outdoors at Huntsville State Park

Fishing, boating, hiking and camping are just a few of the activities at this state park an hour north of Houston. Or visit Lake Livingston state park, with one of the largest lakes in Texas.

4. Catch the last day of P-6 farms Blooms and Berries festival

This fun spot keeps kids entertained with rides and activities as well as fruit-picking.

5. Attend Magical Dads Day at The Woodlands Children's Museum - June 18

We can all agree that dads are pretty magical, and Monty the Magician and Professor Hughdini are two of the acts performing magic shows throughout the day at The Woodlands Children's Museum to celebrate. Kids can also create crafts for Dad while at the Museum and listen to a special book reading. 

 
Photo courtesy of Good Company BBQ

6. Eat out at a traditional Texan BBQ restaurant

If your dad loves to eat out, why not take him for a delicious meal at a Houston family-friendly barbecue restaurant? Or check out these Tex-Mex restaurants with free ice cream.

7. Drive a digger at one of Houston's new attractions

This hands-on family attraction in Katy allows young and young-at-heart family members to enjoy the fun of construction vehicles. A covered pavilion and refreshment stand allow dads to take a break while the kids play in the sandbox and playground.

8. Visit a local brewery

And while we're on the subject of craft beer, Houston has no shortage of local craft breweries to visit, most with great outdoor patios and play areas for the kids. Father's Day is an ideal time to let Dad chill out with a cold one while the kids burn off some energy.

9. Get out of town for the weekend with a Texas Road Trip

Head out of town for the weekend without leaving the state by visiting one of these awesome Texas destinations with Dad. Whether you're hauling an RV or just trekking across the great Lone Star State because of the enjoyable drives, there are a number of places to go with attractions along the way.

  
Photo courtesy of Emancipation Park

10. Juneteenth celebrations at Emancipation park - June 18-19

Two days of family-friendly events to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. Stage performances, food, and fun activities are just some of the planned entertainment.

11. Hit the Trails 

For all the trail lovers out there, there are plenty of family-friendly ways to get off the beaten path and do some exploring via foot, with a stroller, or on a bike. Just make sure you wear plenty of sunscreen and bring lots of water, because it's almost guaranteed to be h-o-t.

12. Paddle your way around Houston

Looking for an active and unique Father's Day adventure? We recommend exploring the city by canoe or kayak on one of Houston's popular paddling trails. You'll get to see the Bayou City in a totally different way! 

Touring the art collections at Rienzi/Photo courtesy of Cameron Bertuzzi/Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

13. Celebrate Father's Day weekend at Discovery Green

Discovery Green is filled with fun, and over Father's Day weekend you can sail remote-controlled boats on Kinder lake or check out the new Labyrinth art installation.

 
Astros photo courtesy of mlb.com

14. Watch the Astros play ball

Take Dad out to the ball game! If Dad is a baseball fan, head out to the ballpark for some major league baseball fun against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Saturday, June 18 is a bobblehead giveaway game!

15. Cool off in a waterpark

Get Dad out of the heat and into the water after checking out our list of the Best Waterparks and Amusements for Toddlers near Houston! These parks are fun for all the family, including its smallest members.

16. Race outdoor go-karts

If Dad is an adrenaline junkie, then take some speedy laps around the track at one of Houston's outdoor go-kart racing centers. Just make sure to check each for their individual hours. Pro tip: Speedy's is offering Dad one free ride if you bring in this coupon!

17. Take an aerial adventure

For even more blood-pumping fun, take Dad on an aerial adventure that features ziplines and sky-high obstacle courses. 

18. Spend the afternoon fishing

If you're looking for a free outdoor activity that's a little more low-key, there are some pretty great fishing spots throughout the city. Toss in a line and kick back and relax with Dad for the day. 

 
Photo courtesy of Trader's Village

19. Participate in the Father's Day Car Show & Concert at Trader's Village - June 19

If Dad is a car enthusiast, take him to Trader's Village for a special Father's Day Car Show. A live DJ will be spinning tunes throughout the car show and fathers are invited to participate by bringing out cars of all makes and models and registering them for the show. 

20. Float the river 

Cool off this Father's Day by airing up some inner tubes and floating down one of the many kid-friendly rivers in Texas. You don't have to worry about the rapids on these rivers; these floats are all easy enough for most age levels and offer a more laid-back, slow float, so you can dip your toes in the water and enjoy a leisurely afternoon in the water.

This post originally published in May 2017.