Father's Day is Sunday, June 21 this year — right in the middle of the June school holidays, which means the kids are home and available to actually celebrate properly. Whether your family's idea of a perfect Father's Day involves adventure, food, creativity, or simply being left alone with a coffee, here are 8 ideas across every budget — from completely free to treat-yourself splurge.
The thing about Father's Day is that most dads don't actually want a fancy gift. What they want — if you ask honestly — is time with their kids without logistics, stress, or planning. So we've organised these ideas from the dad's perspective: what would he actually enjoy doing, not just what looks good on Instagram.
Here's one most dads don't expect — and then genuinely enjoy. Book a family art jamming session where dad and the kids each get their own canvas, figurine, or mosaic project. Everyone paints side by side, talks about what they're making, helps each other pick colours, and walks out with a matching set of family artwork. There's no "correct" way to do it, which means dads who haven't picked up a paintbrush since primary school can relax and actually enjoy the process.
At Art Journey, families regularly do this on weekends — the photos your kids uploaded for earlier blogs show exactly how it looks. The on-site Art Cafe means you can pair the session with coffee and snacks afterwards. Dad gets quality time, the kids get creative time, and nobody has to queue for a restaurant.
What to try: 3D figurine painting (dads love this), canvas painting, or mosaic art
Book: artjourney.sg/book-now — book ahead for Father's Day weekend
This is the quintessential Singapore dad activity. Rent bikes at East Coast Park (or bring your own), cycle along the coast with the kids, stop at Marine Cove playground to let them burn off energy, then settle into a nearby hawker centre — East Coast Lagoon Food Village is right there — for a proper brunch. Nasi lemak, satay, and iced Milo at a beachside table. Dad gets exercise, the kids get the playground, everyone gets fed. Total cost for a family of four: under $30.
Tip: Go early (8am) to avoid the worst heat and snag a shaded table.
If dad's love language is grilled food, organise a barbecue at one of Singapore's many public BBQ pits — East Coast Park, Pasir Ris Park, or West Coast Park all have them. The kids help prep the ingredients (corn, wings, satay, marshmallows), dad mans the grill, and mum gets to sit down for once. If you don't want to deal with charcoal, some parks have electric BBQ pits, or you can simply do a floor picnic at a park with takeaway food. The point is: dad, outdoors, food, kids. That's it.
Tip: Book BBQ pits early — Father's Day is peak season.
Sometimes the best Father's Day gift is the remote control. Let dad pick the movie — even if the kids groan at his choice. Build a living room fort with blankets and pillows, make popcorn, and settle in for a proper family movie marathon. Three films, starting after lunch, ending after dinner with takeaway pizza. The kids will remember this one. And dad gets to introduce them to the movies he grew up with.
Tip: Let each family member pick one film for the marathon. Dad gets first pick.
For the outdoorsy dad: a morning nature walk with the kids at MacRitchie Reservoir (the TreeTop Walk is unforgettable for kids aged 7+) or the Southern Ridges trail (gentler, great for younger children). Pack water, wear proper shoes, and go before 10am to catch the cooler hours. Follow it with an ice cream stop or a kopitiam lunch. It costs nothing and gives dad the kind of Sunday morning he actually wants — fresh air, nature, and the kids walking ahead of him on the trail.
Best for: Active families with kids aged 5+. Go early to avoid midday heat.
The rule is simple: dad chooses where to eat. Not the kids' favourite pizza place, not the family-friendly buffet — dad's actual choice. If he wants ramen, go for ramen. If he wants crab, book a crab restaurant. If he wants economy rice at the hawker centre in peace, that counts too. Many restaurants run Father's Day set menus and promotions — check TimeOut Singapore or HungryGoWhere for curated lists closer to the date.
Tip: Book at least a week ahead — Father's Day lunch reservations fill up fast.
The June school holidays mean the kids have time to prepare something special before June 21. A painted portrait of dad, a mosaic coaster for his desk, a clay figurine of his favourite animal, or a hand-written "Things I Love About Daddy" book — the same formats that worked for Mother's Day work just as well for Father's Day.
Book an Art Journey session the weekend before Father's Day (June 13–14) and let the kids create something specifically for dad. Keep it a secret. Wrap it properly. Present it at breakfast on June 21. Most dads will tell you this is the best gift they've ever received — and they mean it.
At home: A hand-drawn card, an illustrated "Things I Love About Daddy" book, or painted rocks — all free.
Here's the Father's Day idea that no one writes about but every dad secretly wants: three uninterrupted hours to do whatever he likes. Watch football without commentary from a 4-year-old. Read a book without being asked for a snack. Go for a run without checking the family WhatsApp group. Nap on the couch without a child jumping on him. Take the kids out for the morning — to Art Journey, to a park, to grandma's house — and let dad have the flat to himself. When you come back, he'll be the most grateful man in Singapore.
How to execute: Drop the kids at Art Journey for a workshop (10am–12pm), go for your own coffee, come home with the kids and their artwork at noon. Dad has had three hours of peace and a handmade gift. Everyone wins.
Ask dad what he actually wants. Not what you think he should want. Some dads want adventure. Some want food. Some want to sit quietly. The best Father's Day is the one that matches his personality, not a Pinterest board.
Don't overschedule the day. One activity plus one meal is plenty. The most common Father's Day mistake is cramming so many "special" things in that the day becomes stressful for everyone — including dad.
Let the kids lead the celebration. A hand-drawn card from a 5-year-old means more than any restaurant booking. Let the children make something, present it, and see dad's reaction. That moment is the whole point.
Combine Father's Day with the school holidays. Since June 21 falls during the June break, use the preceding week to prepare. The kids make gifts at home or at a workshop, plan the day's activity together, and genuinely participate in the celebration rather than having everything done for them.
The perfect Father's Day combo:
Weekend before (June 13–14): Kids make a handmade gift at Art Journey — a painted figurine, mosaic coaster, or canvas painting for dad. Keep it hidden.
Father's Day morning (June 21): Kids present the gift at breakfast. Dad is genuinely moved. Family heads out for cycling at East Coast Park or a nature walk.
Father's Day afternoon: Lunch at dad's restaurant of choice. Then everyone comes home, and dad gets the sofa and the remote for the rest of the day.
For more activity ideas during the June school holidays, see our complete guide to 20 June holiday activities.
Book an Art Journey session the week before June 21. The kids create a handmade gift — figurine, canvas, mosaic, or clay — while you plan the rest of the day. Walk-in or book ahead.
Book a SessionFather's Day 2026 falls on Sunday, June 21. It is not a public holiday in Singapore but is widely celebrated. This year it conveniently falls during the June school holidays (May 30 – June 28), giving families more time and flexibility to celebrate.
Family art jamming (where dad and kids paint together), East Coast Park cycling, a picnic at a neighbourhood park, or a stay-home movie marathon all work well with young children. The key is choosing activities that are relaxed and don't require kids to sit still for extended periods.
Popular handmade Father's Day gifts include a painted portrait of dad, a mosaic coaster for his desk, a painted 3D figurine, a hand-drawn card, or an illustrated "Things I Love About Daddy" book. Art Journey offers sessions where children can create any of these as a take-home gift — book a session the week before June 21.
Yes. Art Journey is open daily from 10am to 9pm, including Sundays and all public holidays. A family art jamming session on Father's Day itself — where dad and the kids paint together — is one of the most popular ways families celebrate at the studio.
Free options include a nature walk at MacRitchie Reservoir or the Southern Ridges, cycling at East Coast Park (bring your own bikes), a beach outing at Sentosa (free beach access), a home movie marathon, or simply giving dad a few hours of uninterrupted rest while you take the kids out.
Yes — at least one week ahead, preferably two. Father's Day is one of the busiest dining days of the year in Singapore. Many restaurants offer special set menus, and popular spots sell out quickly. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, consider a hawker centre brunch or a home-cooked meal instead.
Since Father's Day falls during the June break, use the preceding week for preparation. Let the kids make a handmade gift at home or at an art workshop, plan a simple activity for the day itself (cycling, nature walk, or family art jamming), and end with a meal of dad's choice. The holiday timing means there's no school-night rush — take it slow and enjoy.