1/9 Family rafting in Cardiff
Why go?
Cardiff International White Water Centre is a man-made white water facility in Cardiff’s International Sports Village, where you can have a go at a range of exhilarating white water sports. At a family rafting session, kids and grownups all grab an oar and pile into a boat to tackle the waves – and get soaked!
The water level is lowered and the waves aren’t as big, so kids can try this activity out with their Dads at a suitable pace. There are also instructors on hand with tips for budding oarsmen of all ages.
Why Dad will love it?
You’re sure to get your heart pumping at one of these high-octane sessions.
Kids and dads will definitely agree that this is the perfect mix of sport and splashing around.
The Lowdown
Age: Kids over eight can join a session
Location: Watkiss Way, Cardiff Bay, CF11 0SY
Price: From £22.50 per person
Find out more: ciww.com
2/9 Hot air balloon flight
Why go?
Balloons over Britain offer sunrise and sunset hot air balloon flights all across the UK. Clamber up into the basket and rise gently skywards to enjoy spectacular views of our green and pleasant land.
You’ll spend an hour wafting over the glorious landscapes drinking in the panorama, before sinking back to earth with a little bump.
Why Dad will love it
This is an experience to tick of the bucket list. There’s no better way to see the beauty of Britain than with a bright and patterned balloon billowing overhead. Go on – your dad deserves it!
The Lowdown
Ages: Children over eight can join a flight.
Location: Various locations across the UK
Price: From £109 per person
Find out more: balloonsoverbritain.co.uk
3/9 Afternoon Tea at the Dorchester, LondonFTERNOON TEA AT THE DORCHESTER LONDON
Why go?
Treat Dad to a delicious afternoon tea at London’s super-swanky Dorchester Hotel. Take a pew in the gorgeous Promenade dining room and enjoy a full-on feast of tasty cakes, scones, sandwiches and pastries.
This is a real treat for visitors of all ages. Children will love feeling like grownups in the grand dining room, and what Dad wouldn’t love being spoiled in five-star style?
Why Dad will love it
As it’s Dad’s special day he can wash it all down his delicious cakes and sarnies with a glass of Champagne. Plus on Father’s Day, 21 June, all Dads receive a special gift.
The Lowdown
Location: Park Lane, Mayfair, London, W1K 1QA
Price: £59 per adult and £35 per child
Find out more: dorchestercollection.com
4/9 Go Ape segway adventure
Why go?
Whizz through the trees on two wheels on this hour-long Segway adventure. You’ll start off with a briefing to show you how to navigate on your self-balancing electric Segway, so everyone’s full of confidence to tackle the trail’s twists and turns.
Why Dad will love it
This is a quirky way for families to enjoy the great British countryside and a great opportunity to try something new.
Thrill seekers old and young will love the adrenaline rush from speeding around the forest tracks.
The Lowdown
Ages: You need to be over seven stone and 10 years old
Location: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Staffordshire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Gloucestershire, Cumbria, Dorset, Nottinghamshire and Suffolk
Price: £40 per person
Find out more: goape.co.uk
5/9 Family spa day at the Ickworth Hotel
Why go?
Who says spa days are just for mums and daughters? Hard-working dads need a little pampering too.
Perfect for dads with older kids, this spa has a chic indoor pool, blissful chill-out zones and a whole menu of indulgent spa treatments with special options designed for teens, plus a men-only range to de-stress dads.
Why Dad will love it
A day at Ickworth’s spa is the ultimate experience that dads can share with their teenagers. After a day lounging poolside, going for a lazy dip and indulging in heavenly treatments, you’ll return home without a care in the world.
The Lowdown
Ages: The pool is open to children of any age, and teen treatments are for children 13 years and older
Location: The Ickworth, Horringer, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP29 5QE
Price: day packages from £140 per person
Find out more: ickworthhotel.co.uk
6/7 Family cookery course at Manna from Devon
Why go?
Head to this gorgeous South Devon spot, overlooking the River Dart, to hone your culinary skills as a family. Dads who fancy themselves as masterchefs can indulge in a spot of showing off in front of the kids, and clueless cooks can pick up some useful skills.
Pick from family courses for making pasta, cakes, bread, pastry or wood-fired cooking, depending on Dad’s favourite thing to nibble.
The one-day courses have been carefully designed so that kids can get involved in every stage of the preparation.
Why Dad will love it
Getting hands on in the kitchen is heaps of fun, and what parent doesn’t love seeing their sprogs master a new skill? And, naturally, sampling your handmade wares after the class isn’t half bad either.
The Lowdown
Ages: Classes are suitable for children aged eight to 11
Location: Fir Mount House, Higher Contour Road, Kingswear, Devon TQ6 0DE
Price: £75 per person
Find out more: mannafromdevon.com
7/9 Bear Grylls family survival course
Why go?
On this course designed by uber-adventurer Bear Grylls, you’ll take to the wilderness to learn the tricks and tools you need to survive in the wild. The awesome skills you’ll master include building and lighting a fire, night-time navigation, foraging for food, constructing a shelter and extreme weather survival.
Why Dad will love it
Outdoorsy and intrepid families won’t be able to resist this epic challenge. Learning new skills and really testing yourselves out in the wild is a brilliant way for dads to bond with their kids. Spending a night spent at the mercy of Mother Nature is something no member of the family will forget in a hurry!
The Lowdown
Ages: The course is designed for 10-17 year-olds accompanied by a parent or willing adult
Location: Surrey, Brecon Beacons, Dartmoor, Doncaster and South Yorkshire
Price: Courses in Surrey, Brecon Beacons and Dartmoor cost £429 for one adult and one child (age 10-17). Courses in Doncaster and South Yorkshire cost £399 for one adult and one child. Price includes accommodation and meals
Find out more: beargryllssurvivalacademy.com
8/9 Adventure golf
Why go?
Here’s one for golf mad Dads whose tots aren’t quite ready to tackle 18 holes.The Adventure Golf Course has nine crazy and colourful holes, where you’ll nip round ponds, avoid the dreaded bunker and expertly dodge obstacles.
Why Dad will love it
Tiger Woods wannabes an their cubs alike can perfect their put, plus enjoy a little healthy competition over who can navigate the twisty-turny course the best. It’s all about the laid back fun here, making it the perfect way to enjoy gold with nippers who aren’t ready for a full-size course just yet.
The Lowdown
Ages: Kids must be old enough to swing a (mini!) club
Location: Watford Road, Harrow Middlesex HA1 3TZ
Price: £12.50 for a family of four
Find out more: playgolf-london.com
9/9 Wembley Stadium tour
Why go?
Does your dad live for the beautiful game? If so, he’ll jump at the chance to have a poke around behind the scenes of the home of English football. You’ll see the spot where countless legends have donned their kits in the England Changing Rooms, sit in Roy Hodgson’s seat in the press room, stroll down the Players’ Tunnel and climb the 107 Trophy Winner’s steps.
Why Dad will love it
Any football fan will love stepping foot in the spots you usually only see on the small screen. Young fans can have a go at pretending they’re a pro as they visit behind the scenes spots, and any football-loving dad will turn into a big kid as they follow in the tracks of their heroes.
The Lowdown
Ages: Guests of any age are welcome
Location Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London HA9 0WS
Price £45 for a family of four
Find out more: wembleystadium.com