Activity
Plan a Father's Day Hike
Create a special Father’s Day surprise by planning and mapping a hike around the neighborhood! In this activity, children create a customized map to give to Dad on Father’s Day. As they do so, they’ll learn key mapping skills, get to know more about their local surroundings, and practice researching online. They’ll use their creativity to devise a thoughtfully plotted route, and their math skills to calculate the distance of their planned hike.
What You Need:
- Internet access
- Printer and paper
- Red pen
- Measuring tape or ruler
- Markers for decorating the map (optional)
- Nuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips, or other ingredients for trail mix (optional)
- Small reusable container (optional)
What You Do:
- Have your child look up Google Maps online, then search for your home by typing in your address.
- Switch to Satellite View to see your home and the surrounding terrain. Zoom in as needed.
- Print out the Satellite View of your home and the surrounding area. Take note of the scale in the lower left-hand corner of the map.
- Ask your child to use the red pen to draw a path on the map starting at your front door, trailing through the neighborhood and to nearby parks or woods, then looping around back home. Encourage your child to use markers to decorate the map and add local landmarks.
- Have your child use the map's scale to measure the length of the trail. They can do this by placing a string along the trail, measuring the length of the string, then comparing it to the scale. Have them write the total length of the trail on the map.
- Ask them to estimate how long they think it will take to walk the trail. Have them record their estimate on the map.
- On Father's Day, encourage your child to gift Dad the map and explain to him how they chose the trail and mapped out the hike.
- To prepare for the hike, check the weather report and dress accordingly. Put on good walking shoes and be mindful of the wildlife or other possible hazards in your area. Consider wearing sunscreen and bug spray, and pack plenty of water.
- Make your own trail mix to take with you by mixing chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit, or other items together in a reusable container.
- Have your child time the hike and compare the actual time to their estimate. Did they guess correctly?
Related learning resources
Father's Day Coloring: Make a Tie
Worksheet
Father's Day Coloring: Make a Tie
This Father's Day, let your child unleash their inner fashion designer as they craft a personalized, paper tie for Dad.
3rd grade
Arts & crafts
Worksheet
Writing a Father's Day Card
Worksheet
Writing a Father's Day Card
Help your little one make a DIY Father's Day gift with this simple letter-writing activity. Kids will learn how to structure a letter and more.
2nd grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Father's Day Game: Trek!
Worksheet
Father's Day Game: Trek!
With this Father's Day game, let your second grader take Dad on a "printable" mountain trek--without ever leaving the house!
2nd grade
Worksheet
Write a Going Green Plan
Activity
Write a Going Green Plan
Here's an authentic writing task that is perfect for Earth Day, or any day! In this activity, your child's pen becomes an instrument of planetary importance.
2nd grade
Reading & Writing
Activity
Special Broadcast: Happy Dad's Day!
Activity
Special Broadcast: Happy Dad's Day!
Let your third grader newscaster practice presentation skills with this video "card" to celebrate Dad this Father's Day!
3rd grade
Reading & Writing
Activity
All About My Dad
Worksheet
All About My Dad
Describe and draw dad in this fill-in-the-blank Father's Day worksheet!
3rd grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Mother's Day Chocolates
Activity
Mother's Day Chocolates
This year on Mother's Day, here's a gift that builds vocabulary while bringing a smile to Mom's face!
2nd grade
Arts & crafts
Activity
Math + Love = Valentine's Day Bar Graph
Lesson plan
Math + Love = Valentine's Day Bar Graph
What's more romantic than a bar graph on Valentine's Day?
2nd grade
Math
Lesson plan
Make a Mother's Day Book
Activity
Make a Mother's Day Book
As Mother's Day approaches, everyone's grateful! Let your third grader assemble this special book with words from the whole family.
3rd grade
Reading & Writing
Activity
Patrick's Day History
Worksheet
Patrick's Day History
Patrick's Day (and learn some new fun facts as well) with this St. Patrick's Day crossword.
4th grade
Worksheet
Second Grade Daily Sub Plan A
Lesson plan
Second Grade Daily Sub Plan A
Out for the day? That's no problem with this classroom packet. With this daily sub plan, you will soon be ready to have a substitute in the classroom.
2nd grade
Math
Lesson plan
Valentine's Day Word Problems
Worksheet
Valentine's Day Word Problems
Put a little love into math practice this Valentine's Day. These sweet word problems will challenge your child's real-world application of math.
4th grade
Math
Worksheet
See this activity in a set:
10 Last Minute Ideas for Father's Day