10 last-minute Father"s Day gift ideas

DIY Father"s Day GIFT IDEAS!

The countdown is on. Father"s Day is Sunday. Do you know what you are getting your dad? We"re here to help wtih 10 easy last minute ideas.

Go to bat for dad

1. Is your dad a baseball fan? If so, your shopping is easy peasy just get him a pair or more of tickets. Click here for Cubs, or here for the White Sox.

Get dad in the swim

2. If your dad is more of a water guy, Chicago in the summeer is the perfect destination with a flood of choices. You can rent a kayak on the river (or lake); rent an electric boat from Chicago Electric Boats that seats up to 12; take a water taxi to Chinatown or go on a lunch or dinner cruise from Navy Pier.

Get dad high

3. There are many places to get high in Chicago with our many skyscrapers. The obvious, Hancock Observatory 360 or Willis Skydeck. If you"ve already been there, done that, how about checking out one of the Chicago Architectural Foundation tours.

Taking a gamble on Father"s Day

4. Take Dad to Arlington Park Race Track. Enjoy live racing plus family activities including a petting zoo, pony rides and more. Post time, 1 p.m. 220 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights, 847 385 7500.

Build a better relationship with your dad

5. There"s tons of fun for all ages at the Brick by Brick exhibition at Chicago"s Museum of Science and Industry. It"s LEGO"s on steroids with some of the most impressive architectural masterpieces and engineering wonders of the world created by LEGO Certified Professional Adam Reed Tucker. Not only can you check out Tucker"s creations but you have an opportunity to make your own LEGO masterpieces.

Where: Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore DriveWhen: Now through February 2017Tickets: The exhibition requires an additional, timed-entry ticket ($9 for adults and $7 for kids ages 3-11) or included in Explorer ticket packages. Click here or call 773-684-1414.

Take Dad for a spin

6. The new Ferris Wheel is up and running at Navy Pier. The state-of-the-art wheel is bigger and better than the old one plus it"s climate controlled so even if the temperature is in the 90"s, as predicted for Sunday, dad can keep his cool and enjoy the views in air conditioned comfort. Tickets, $15 can be purchased at the Pier or online.

Feed dad

Even if your dad isn"t the brunch type, here are some manly ideas along with a little food for thought for Father"s Day cooking and dining.

7. All dads who dine at any of Shaw"s locations will receive a $25 Shaw"s Crab House gift certificate for future use.

8. Sweeten your dad"s day with Firecakes donuts. On June 18 and 19 Firecakes is offering a special Father"s Day donut double stacked with Valhrona chocolate icing and peppered candied bacon ($15). Or catch the Firecakes truck, or better yet, book the truck for a private celebration. (2453 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657, (773) 666-5277 68 W. Hubbard Street, Chicago, IL 60654, (312) 329-6500).

9. Cook up the perfect gift for the dad who likes to grill at the Weber Grill. All locations are offering a 2-day Brisket Bootcamp and a Steaks Hands-on Grilling Class in June, perfect for dads who like to grill.

10. Michael Jordan"s Steak House is offering the first 23 dads who order Michael Jordans steak of choice, the Prime Delmonico, their own specially engraved steak knife to memorialize their meal. For reservations, call (312) 321 8823

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Source: http://www.chicagonow.com/show-me-chicago/2016/06/fathers-day-gifts-10-last-minute-ideas/

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Fathers Day gifts for dad: Service projects, activities for kids to help dad

DIY FATHERS DAY GIFT IDEAS

Looking for Fathers Day gifts for dad (grampa, uncle, husband, boyfriend) that don"t bankrupt you? Think do-for, not buy-for in Fathers Day gifts for dad. Give gifts for dad that cost time and talent not money. Perform service projects and activities for kids to help dad. Do Fathers Day activities for kids with dad--don"t just spend money on meaningless stuff (how many ties does one man need anyway??). Most dads have more projects than time to do them. Everyone who lives at home should be participating in household tasks. But some work just naturally falls to dad. And if he"s an over-achiever, git-er-done kind of guy, he ends up taking too many service projects on himself. Here are creative Fathers Day gifts for dad, Fathers Day activities for kids to help dad.

* Automotive. Is dad Chief Maintenance Exec in charge of family vehicles? Give gifts of service to assist--if you have automotive repair experience, even better. If you don"t, you can fetch, carry and lend a listening ear. Or you could get dad a gift card to Auto Value, Harbor Freight or a local repair shop so he doesn"t have to do it all himself. These are perfect service projects to help dad.

* Yard work. Sometimes dads don"t want gifts of service because family members don"t do chores his way or they are careless or leave tools laying around. And let"s be honest, that works great for lazy kids--more video game time while dad does it all. Perform gifts of service conscientiously. Mow the yard (neatly), trim hedges (carefully), plant flowers (properly), water landscaping (correctly) clean yard furniture and accessories (thoroughly), tidy the garage the way HE wants it done. Clean and replace tools the way he showed you. Promise help with winter snow removal and follow through. Don"t take shortcuts. And for goodness sakes, clean up after yourselves. Gifts of service shouldn"t make more work for him. Service projects are meant to help dad!

* Home maintenance. One of the best Fathers Day activities for kids is to help dad knock out repair tasks on his to-do list. Follow his lead and don"t question (after all, he has been doing this longer than you have). You"ll learn valuable life skills lessons to use when you"re out on your own. This author"s oldest son barters repair services for free rent at his apartment complex--thanks to lessons learned from the master mechanic (dad).

* Hobby service projects for kids. Maybe dad"s restoring a vintage car or motorcycle (ours has a work-in-progress BSA). Is he a model train enthusiast? Boat aficionado? Tech geek? Bibliophile? Historical re-enactor? Sports fanboy? Movie buff or gamer? Perhaps he"s a microbrewer like ours? Show an interest and devote a few hours to do it with him. Clean his man cave, shed, workshop or corner of the basement. Tidy his game room, study or library. (Don"t reorganize where he can"t find things though). You"ll be glad you gave these Fathers Day gifts when you"re older and away from the house.

* Vehicle cleanup. It"s hard enough to keep up with vehicle maintenance, let alone cleaning. Wash and polish dad"s car/truck (properly). Dung the trash. Vacuum and scrub the upholstery, Clean the windows. Detail the exterior and interior. Fill fluid levels. Do minor repairs as gifts of service. He"ll love you forever for these hands-on Fathers Day gifts for dad.

* Help coupons. Give a gift that keeps on giving--coupons good for free labor. Little children especially, love making these. Mom or older siblings help with writing. Preschoolers draw pictures of what tasks they will help with. Our kids were pretty clever about thinking up daddy-friendly tasks. Include lots of activities for kids to do with dad.

As much as possible, do these tasks with dad. It"s great for year-round bonding.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/article/fathers-day-gifts-for-dad-service-projects-activities-for-kids-to-help-dad

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