With Father’s Day fast approaching, we thought we would compile our favourite Father’s Day Events for 2024 that we think both big and little kids will enjoy. Yes, that includes you!

Look out for our favourite Father’s Day events that include free entry for Dad. A bonus present and day out all in one!

Here are our best picks of Father’s Day events for big and little kids in 2024:

Father’s Day Paddle to the Pub - Beaulieu, New Forest

We had to kick off our Father’s Day events somewhere local to home in the quiet village of Beaulieu. New Forest Activities has organised a paddling adventure along the Beaulieu River Nature Reserve. Enjoy a tranquil (or not-so-tranquil) ride along the beautiful river with the whole family.

After a peaceful paddle, enjoy a relaxing drink at the Master Builder’s House on the riverside. Feeling peckish? The Master Builder’s House offers a seasonal BBQ every weekend until the end of June, and every day during the Summer months. Serving a selection of draft beers, cider, and handpicked wines, this is sure to be a relaxing Father’s Day event for all the family! 

For car-enthusiast dads, the Custom and American Show is returning to the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu this Father’s Day weekend. Explore their extensive range of cool American motors, colourful bikes and cars, as well as live music and entertainment throughout the day.

Opens on Sunday 16th June from 10am - 5pm. 

Yorkshire Wildlife Park

Next, we are heading up North for one of our favourite Father’s Day events where dads go free!

Yorkshire Wildlife Park is offering free entry for dads this Father’s Day weekend with 2 paying adults, children, or student/senior tickets.

Packed full of wild animals, this is a great day spent by animal and nature lovers alike. See the majestic lions in Lion Country, the only polar bears in England, and explore Pangea, the wildest dinosaur park in Yorkshire which includes over 30 life-sized, moving dinosaurs! Did we mention they roar too?

There are loads of animals to discover at Yorkshire Wildlife Park including rhinos, leopards, giraffes, hyenas, red pandas, tigers, monkeys, and many more.

For little explorers, there are plenty of play areas to keep everybody entertained including a Jungle Lookout, Monkey Playhouse, and Kukulu Play Island.

After lots of exploring, chill out in one of the many cafes on site which include vegetarian and vegan options.

Gulliver’s Land - Milton Keynes

Looking for Father’s Day events with lots of fun games and rides, and some much tamer animals to get close to? Gulliver’s Land has over 25 rides, 6 themed areas, and a Dino and Farm Park to explore. This Father’s Day adults can go for free with each full-paying child.

With lots of different rides from the chilled to the thrilling, there is plenty for both big kids and little kids to enjoy at Gulliver’s Land.

Wanting to make a weekend of it? There is also campsite accommodation for an action-packed, outdoorsy escape this Father’s Day.

Woodlands Family Theme Park - Devon

A fun treat for Dad this Father’s Day! Woodlands Family Theme Park is another of our favourite Father’s Day events offering free entry for dads this Father’s Day. Make sure to book online to claim this discount, as it is not valid on the door.

As the largest theme park in Devon, there is plenty to do at Woodlands with a farm zoo, water rides, indoor and outdoor play areas to explore as well as rides for big and little kids!

Make a weekend of it by staying in their campsite, this will give you all free entry to the park as well. 

Our favourite thing about Woodlands Family Theme Park is the petting zoo where your little (and big ones) have a chance to get close to friendly furry critters like rabbits and guinea pigs.

Sudeley Castle - Cotswolds

For dads who enjoy history, beautiful countryside, and a good lunch! Sudeley Castle in the Cotswolds is offering lunch for Dad this Father’s Day which includes a beef or veggie burger and a pint of beer or cider! We think this will be one of our more tranquil Father’s Day events this year.

Join in one of the private tours to learn about the history of the Castle and gardens which dates back to Tudor times. Visit an exhibition to discover the rich royal history of this estate which was home to King Henry VIII’s last wife, Queen Katherine Parr who has been buried in the grounds.

For little explorers, there is an Adventure Playground and Animal Ark with a 10-piece obstacle course which will surely tire them out! Nature lovers will enjoy the extensive gardens with 10 to explore, each with unique design and style.

Big Hat Bushcamp - Surrey

Fancy yourself as the next Bear Grylls? Well, buckle up because we have one of the best Father’s Day events for you! Big Hat Bushcamp takes family adventure to the next level with their family weekends in the great outdoors.

Step away from all devices and learn how to thrive with nothing but your bare hands and nature, and with some help from professionals of course! Learn how to start a fire without matches, build shelter in the woods, discover how to cook on a campfire, and take part in stealth games. There is also an opportunity to learn woodcarving in August.

Big Hat Bushcamp offers family weekend packages once a month for families to wild camp and learn all about surviving in the great outdoors. This is a great test of communication, leadership and teamwork which will leave your family feeling even more connected. Choose to stay for the day (10 hours), or the whole weekend for complete immersion!

We think this will be one of the most rewarding Father’s Day events this year.

Royal Three Counties Show - Malvern

This Father’s Day weekend, visit the Royal Three Counties Show in Malvern for lots of fun Father’s Day events and activities for all the family!

With plenty to choose from including horse showjumping with three-time Olympian, Vittoria Panizzon on Saturday, entertainment from mini spotted ponies, Rolo and Sprout with their array of tricks, the Racehorse parade, and live Q&As from special guests Matt Baker and Kaleb Cooper on the future of farming.

There is also thrilling entertainment from the Bolddog Lings Freestyle Motocross and the British Army’s parachute display team, The Red Devils.

For all you foodies, head to the Food and Drink Festival which includes some of the UK’s finest ciders and wines, as well as delicious street food to devour. Anyone looking for an English treat of tea and cake, visit the Vintage Tea Tent for a nice cuppa and slice of cake while enjoying music from a bygone era.   

The best part of this Father’s Day event? Kids under 16 years go free! There are loads of activities for little ones to get involved with including getting arty in the Bees and Honey tent by creating bee sculptures and collages. Adults can get involved too, trying their hand at beeswax sculptures and candle-making.

Want to know more? Muddy Stilettos has written everything you need to know in their blog post: 5 Reasons to Visit the Royal Three Counties.

New Forest Wildlife Park - Hampshire

This Father’s Day, why not treat Dad to a Keeper Experience at the New Forest Wildlife Park! These unique experiences allow you to get up close and personal to the enchanting wildlife in the park, and see the park as a Keeper.

Choose from different packages starting at 1-hour to 3-hour sessions. Working 1:1 with one of their experienced keepers, you will get the chance to feed some of their wild animals and ask as many questions as you like to learn more about these fascinating creatures. The perfect gift for animal-loving fathers! The package also includes your very own New Forest Wildlife t-shirt and baseball cap so you can truly feel part of the team.

Have a little one who loves animals? The 1-hour experience is available for little ones (over the age of 5 years old), and includes access for a supervising adult too, which could be a lovely bonding experience for Dad this Father’s Day.

There is plenty to do at the New Forest Wildlife Park too! With lots of wild animals to discover and Adventure Playparks to run around. This Father’s Day event is sure to be a fun day out for all the family.

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Thank you to Muddy Stilettos, Day Out with the Kids, Club Hub, and Visit the New Forest for all of these Father’s Day events.

Hope you have enjoyed our Father’s Day Events for Big and Little Kids and have been inspired to try new adventures this Father’s Day!

Make sure to keep tagging us in all your little (and big) Dotty outfits @dottydungarees on Instagram for a chance to appear in our Stories or on our grid. We love seeing all of your Dotty stylings!

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