Activities Toddlers Can Do With Their Dads to Make Them Feel Appreciated

Spend time together to make your father feel appreciated.

Juggling a heavy work schedule with the duties of daily life may cause fathers to feel out of touch when it comes to being involved in his young child's life. To promote and maintain a close relationship between father and child, regularly pencil in family time into dad's schedule. While it may take some work on your part to organize an activity, it will help your toddler make his father feel appreciated for the hard work he does inside and outside of the home.

Dad's Favorite Activity

One way to make your father feel appreciated is to take the time to enjoy his favorite activity. If your father is a sports fanatic, gather around the television on a Sunday afternoon to watch football or throw the football around in the backyard. For those dads who enjoy collecting model trains, plan a trip to a railway museum or plan an afternoon to explore model trains at a local hobby store. While your toddler may be too young to fully understand why his father enjoys the activity, he will love spending time with his father.

Special Delivery

If you are tired of getting bills or junk mail in the mail, spend an hour drawing with your toddler. While the drawings your toddler makes may look like scribbles, allowing him to play with crayons promotes dexterity and creativity. Encourage him to make a drawing of you and him. Once he's done drawing, place the picture inside an envelope and address it to your place of work. Go to the post office together and mail it. When the letter arrives, a big smile will appear on your face when you open the envelope, remembering the time you spent making the drawing together.

Public Spaces

You don't need a lot of money to make a father feel appreciated. Take advantage of your city's public infrastructure and plan a day exploring the city together. A ride on a bus or subway may delight both father and son, as riding on public transportation may not be an every day experience for either of them. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy some family time playing in a local park. Walk around nature trails to discover local wildlife. The act of spending time together will certainly make the father feel appreciated and loved.

Making Plans

Due to his young age, it's impossible for a toddler to plan activities by himself that will make his father feel appreciated. One of the child's parents will have to step in and organize an activity that both father and son can enjoy together. The mother could make the plans. She could consult with the father to determine if the plans you have in mind not only suit his schedule, but will be something he will enjoy doing with the child.

References

• BabyCenter: Cheap Fun for Kids: Simple Ways to Make Make Your Child's Day
• BabyCenter: Toddler Milestone: Writing and Drawing