---
title: Father's Day Experiences to Build Memories (Not Stuff)
description: Rather than gifts on Father’s Day, we like to plan experiences Dad and the littles will remember and cherish. Here’s how to have a fun, nature-inspired day of recognizing the important men in your life.
---

[Mountain Rose Herbs Blog ](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com)

# [Father's Day Experiences to Build Memories (Not Stuff)](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/tips-for-a-fun-filled-fathers-day)

 Written by [Mason](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/author/mason) | May 29, 2018

<https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/>

The other day, my six year old daughter, Amelia, asked, “Why don’t they have a Kids’ Day?”. This was in response to the fact that [Mother’s Day](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/diy-mothers-day-gifts?hsLang=en-us) had just passed, and [Father’s Day](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/eco-friendly-fathers-day?hsLang=en-us) was coming up. I suppose every kid asks this question, and I remember having the same curiosity. In response, like a knee-jerk reaction, I gave the cliché parental rebuttal, “Because every day is Kids’ Day.” Cue the eye-rolls.

One of the joys of celebrating holidays is the emphasis on creating traditions. Although Father’s Day isn’t a holiday that has the most clear-cut traditions, that’s part of the fun! This means that you’re able to create your own. Personally, these are my tenets for ensuring a solid Father’s Day:

- Experiences instead of stuff
- Spend time in nature
- Play
- [Nourish](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/topic/all-recipes?hsLang=en-us)

<https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/harvest-nettle?hsLang=en-us>

## Experiences Instead of Stuff

These days, it seems as if I’m going to a kid’s birthday party every other weekend. I’ve made it my mission to only buy Amelia’s friends *experiences: p*asses to the wave pool, trampoline park, or skate rink, for example. I see the mountains of toys these kids are already getting. What’s one more present? I digress.

Being quasi-minimalistic in nature, another gadget or gizmo is not something I desire for myself as a father, either. Rather, I’d prefer to build the day and its traditions around the activities and leisure that I find most appealing. In the end, the fond memories we create will be what I cherish most. Amelia and I have been playing a lot of basketball and ping-pong lately, having epic dance parties, and going on lots of walks. Although not outside the norm, these are the same activities that would make my Father’s Day a success.

<https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/>

## Spend Time in Nature

Always rejuvenating, nature is a must for my Father’s Day. Amelia and I already gather spring water once a month for our household needs, but I’d like to make that an annual Father’s Day agenda item. The spring water spot that I go to is also conveniently located near one of my favorite hikes. The wildflowers will be bursting during that time, too—a true treat for a plant nerd such as myself!

While out and about, I like to bring books of botanical inspiration such as Michael Moore’s classic *[Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/medicinal-plants-of-the-pacific-west/profile)* or perhaps [some handy plant flashcards](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/herbs-and-medicinal-plants-knowledge-cards/profile). This way, Amelia and I can continue to learn together. You can check out this awesome resource to [find a spring water source near you](http://www.findaspring.com/). While not on the docket for this year, my daughter and I both enjoy foraging in the woods near our Oregon home, and we had tons of fun [nettle “hunting”](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/harvest-nettle?hsLang=en-us) earlier this spring.

<https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/wildcraft-board-game/profile>

## Play

As mentioned previously, if I can get some basketball and ping-pong time in with my kiddo, I’ll be a happy camper. Infusing play into your life, consistently, is crucial to supporting a healthy outlook. If you’re a fan of games, the [Wildcraft Board Game](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/wildcraft-board-game/profile) is always a hit too. Why not make it a goal to play as much as possible during your Father’s Day?

## Nourish

I love to cook, and I try to include Amelia in the process as much as possible. Our current favorite recipe to make is a batch of plain and simple banana pancakes using [organic pumpkin pie spice](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/pumpkin-pie-spice/profile)! While out on a hike, you can never go wrong with packing a delicious picnic basket. Here are some [fun recipes from the Mountain Rose Herbs Blog](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/topic/all-recipes?hsLang=en-us) that would make fine additions to your hiking menu:

- [Paleo Ashwagandha Bites](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/paleo-ashwagandha-chocolate-bites?hsLang=en-us)
- [Microgreens Salad with Fennel Pollen](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/microgreens-salad-recipe?hsLang=en-us)
- [Herb Marinated Goat Cheese](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/herb-marinated-goat-cheese?hsLang=en-us)
- [Creamy Cashew Basil Pesto](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/cashew-basil-pesto?hsLang=en-us)

And if we’re talking nourishment, I’ve got to give a plug for making a daily [nourishing herbal infusion](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/how-to-make-nourishing-herbal-infusions?hsLang=en-us). To get me energized and ready for an active Father’s Day, it’s a must to start my day with a strong brew of [organic oatstraw](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/oatstraw/profile) or [organic nettle leaf](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/nettle-leaf/profile). 

I love this time of year in general because we’re so close to the [summer solstice](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/3-summer-solstice-rituals?hsLang=en-us). That means long, sunny, and beautiful days. You can really pack a lot into a Father’s Day! I’m looking forward to ending the day with a cold glass of [homebrew](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/adventures-home-brewing?hsLang=en-us).

I hope these four tradition-building tenets have inspired you, regardless of your fatherhood status. What do you plan on doing for the holiday?

 

### Want more ideas?  

You may also be interested in: 

- [Herbs for Healthy Men](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/herbs-for-healthy-men?hsLang=en-us)
- [DIY Mother's Day Gifts](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/diy-mothers-day-gifts?hsLang=en-us)
- [How to Harvest Nettle Without Getting Stung](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/harvest-nettle?hsLang=en-us)

<https://www.pinterest.com/mtnroseherbs/>

 

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