--- title: [FREE RESOURCE] Looking for Fun Activities for Dads and Their Children? description: Learn about a free guide you can use with dads to help them connect with their children in ways that benefit healthy child development. image: https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/Images/Blog/NFI_Blog_free-activities-guide-for-dads.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/looking-for-fun-activities-for-dads-and-their-children#main) - [![NFI mark](https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI%20mark.svg)FATHERHOOD.ORG](https://www.fatherhood.org/) - [STORE.FATHERHOOD.ORG](https://store.fatherhood.org/) [![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=149&height=82&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=119&height=65&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=119&height=66&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=89&height=49&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ](https://www.fatherhood.org) - [How To Build Strong Families](https://www.fatherhood.org/build-strong-families) - [Why Father Inclusion Matters](https://www.fatherhood.org/why-father-inclusion-matters) - Show submenu for Get Involved Get Involved - [Fatherhood Programs](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/programs-and-resources) - [Train Your Staff](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/staff-training) - [State, County, and City Agency Services](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/collaborative-services) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Show submenu for Get Informed Get Informed - [How To Build Strong Families](https://www.fatherhood.org/build-strong-families) - [Why Father Inclusion Matters](https://www.fatherhood.org/why-father-inclusion-matters) - [Father Stats & Infographics](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic) - Show submenu for Get Involved Get Involved - [Fatherhood Programs](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/programs-and-resources) - [Train Your Staff](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/staff-training) - [State, County, and City Agency Services](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/collaborative-services) - Show submenu for Get Started Get Started - [Find Your Stage of Father Inclusion](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-inclusion) - [How Father Friendly Is Your Organization?](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-friendly) - [Get In Touch](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) [Store](https://store.fatherhood.org/?hsLang=en) [Get In Touch](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) [Store](https://store.fatherhood.org/?hsLang=en) Show submenu for Get Started Get Started - [Fatherhood Data & Statistics](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic) - [How Father Friendly is Your Organization?](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-friendly) - [Other Free Resources](https://www.fatherhood.org/nfi-free-resources) - [Talk With us to Get Started](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) National Fatherhood Initiative Blog / [Latest Articles](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood) [child well-being](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/topic/child-well-being) # [FREE RESOURCE] Looking for Fun Activities for Dads and Their Children? 2 min read ![Christopher A. Brown](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/chris_circle_icon.png?width=100&height=100&name=chris_circle_icon.png) [** Christopher A. Brown ** ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/author/christopher-a-brown) Chris serves as the President of National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI), where he is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of NFI's strategic plan and business model, as well as its operations and fundraising efforts. ![NFI_Blog_free-activities-guide-for-dads](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Blog/NFI_Blog_free-activities-guide-for-dads.jpg?width=453&height=305&name=NFI_Blog_free-activities-guide-for-dads.jpg) When fathers are involved in their children’s lives, it helps their children’s healthy development. While I’m sure that’s not news to you, it’s helpful in your work with dads to keep that vital fact at the forefront of your mind. And it’s helpful to have resources at your fingertips that connect dads and their children in a way that benefits healthy child development. **That's why we created **[***Helping Children Grow Through Fun Dad-Child Activities***](https://www.fatherhood.org/free-resource-helping-children-grow-through-fun-dad-child-activities?hsCtaTracking=4b370a21-6b44-45e9-b34b-c812d20aca14%7C032c38fb-9814-4e15-97c6-04b288e896c8)** for use with the dads you serve**. It’s a free guide you can use with groups of dads, with an individual dad, and as a self-paced resource. In fact, we created two versions of it, one for you to facilitate with dads and a self-paced version you can give to dads. NFI partnered with Dr. John Holmberg in the [Graduate School of Professional Psychology](https://psychology.du.edu/) at the University of Denver to create the guide. It helps dads make the most of their quality time with their children through fun age-appropriate activities that build togetherness between dads and their children. Activities are divided into the following age groups or “phases of development.” - Infancy - Preschool - Elementary school - Middle school - High school Here are just a few ways you can use the guide: - With groups of dads in a fatherhood program or workshop (e.g., integrate them into a session on child development/growth or after dads have completed it to continue their learning) - With groups of dads at a conference (e.g., fatherhood conference for dads in the community) - With groups of dads at a community fair or other event (e.g., for families) sponsored or attended by your organization - With groups of dads at a school event before, during, or after school - With groups of incarcerated dads during a dad-child or dad-family day at a correctional facility - With one dad, someone you’re mentoring or working with in some other capacity (e.g. as his case manager) - As a graduation gift for completing a fatherhood program - Share it on your website as a free, self-paced resource for dads And the best part of this guide? Dads learn about the benefits of dads’ play with their children and how their children develop at different ages—all why having fun with their children and helping their children develop in healthy ways! Don’t hesitate to download the [facilitated](https://www.fatherhood.org/free-resource-helping-children-grow-through-fun-dad-child-activities?hsCtaTracking=4b370a21-6b44-45e9-b34b-c812d20aca14%7C032c38fb-9814-4e15-97c6-04b288e896c8) and [self-paced](https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous%20Documents/Dad-Guideposts-and-Activities-Packet.pdf) versions today. Are you looking for a resource on things that dads can do with their children to facilitate healthy child development? Are you looking for such a resource that you can facilitate with dads or give to dads as a self-paced guide? [![Learn more about the Father Engagement Academy by National Fatherhood Initiative](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/135704/c81321f1-c981-43b7-aa34-e7e2228402a8.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/135704/c81321f1-c981-43b7-aa34-e7e2228402a8) Date Published: 11/01/2022 Last Updated: 11/01/2022 ## Learn How to Build a Fatherhood Program That Works Download this free guide for a proven 7-step roadmap—from making the case and securing funding for your program, to launching and measuring real results! [Get The Guide Now!](https://www.fatherhood.org/starting-a-fatherhood-program) ![7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program.png?width=700&height=700&name=7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program.png) [ Previous ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/do-we-all-have-mental-health-issues) [ Next ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/trauma-informed-care-for-fathers-and-families) ## Related Articles ### [[Must-Read New Reports] The State of the World’s and America’s Fathers Two new reports describe the role of fathers across the globe and in the United States as caregivers. They’re must-reads for anyone who serves fathers. The international ... Read More](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/the-state-of-the-worlds-and-americas-fathers) ### [An Amazing Fatherhood Program’s Impact on Birth Outcomes The United States is arguably the world’s most financially wealthy country. Unfortunately, we haven’t parlayed that wealth into improving two connected stains on our nation: our ... 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