Climate Action
6 Fantastic Things You Can Do for Father’s Day
June 13, 2025
Dads do a lot. They cheer us on, teach us to be strong, and often model what it means to live with care and purpose. It is often our Dad’s who first teach us about doing the right thing by the planet. If your dad is the kind of guy who fixes things instead of throwing them away, reminds you to turn off the lights when you leave a room, separates the plastic out of the trash for recycling, or loves being in nature then he’s already showing you the power of loving and being kind to the Earth.
This Father’s Day, why not celebrate your dad in a way that honors not just him, but the world he’s helping you grow up in? Here are a six ways you can celebrate your Dad while showing a little extra love to the planet this year too:
1. Unplug and Go on a Hike
There’s nothing quite like the simple joy of a hike with your Dad. Find a local trail, pack some plastic free water and snacks, and head out together into the great unknown. Hikes are perfect for catching up or just walking side by side in peaceful silence. No traffic, no screens, just time together in the great outdoors. It’s good for your soul, your health and your mind too!
Scientists at the University of Michigan tested this last idea out by collecting saliva samples from people before and after they had spent just 20 minutes in the great outdoors. They discovered that people on average had a drop of 21.3% in the stress hormone cortisol per hour of being outdoors!
If you can’t go for a hike – take a stroll in the park or if that is not an option, why not sit together outside just nature watching or sit by a window, so you can see the great outdoors at least and just chew the fat!
2. Literally Unplug: Make Dad Proud and Turn Off Your Appliances When Leaving the Room
I know all the Dads will really love this one. Remembering to turn things off when you leave a room is a gift in itself. Lights, fans, TVs, and running appliances all quietly suck up energy when they’re not being used, and that all adds up. They are energy vampires!
The easiest one to make a habit is turn off the lights as you head out the door! Remember too that not all light bulbs are born equal! Some consume more electricity: those traditional incandescent bulbs you might still have in your home – they typically use 0.06 kWh per hour, so after 1000 hours that adds up to $6.60! Multiply that by the number or rooms and lights you are leaving on and that soon adds up over a year.
LED lights are the most energy-efficient light bulbs, in fact they are 80% more efficient than the incandescents but you should still turn them off when you leave a room!
Give your Dad’s energy bills a break by making it a habit to switch off and unplug everything you are not using. According to the US United States Department of Energy, the power that is used when we leave appliances in standby mode accounts for as much as 5% to 10% of residential energy use in the US, and we could save $100 a year on our utility bills by just unplugging and turning things OFF.
It will save you energy and money and is probably the kind of thing your Dad’s been reminding you to do since forever, and now’s your chance to show him you are listening after all.
3. Join a Cleanup and Make the World a Little Bit Better for Everyone
Looking for a fun way to spend time together while making a difference for the planet? You can search for a local cleanup event on our Great Global Cleanup Map to join or plan your own very mini adventure by heading to a nearby park, trail, or beach and doing your own clean up.
All you need are some gloves, a few trash bags, and a good sense of humor. Turn it into a mission by racing to see who fills their bag the fastest or by keeping track of the strangest litter you find.
However you do it, you’ll be giving back to your community while creating memories that both you and your dad will cherish. The world will thank you, and so will he.
4. Reduce Your Plastic Use and Make It a Lifelong Habit
Cutting down on plastic doesn’t just help turtles, whales and oceans; it’s a gift to your own health, and your Dad’s too. From water bottles to food wrappers, so much of our everyday plastic ends up as tiny microplastic particles that find their way inside us.
Studies have shown that these microplastics can mess with hormones, are linked to heart disease, strokes, cancers, and, over time, even impact fertility.
Choosing reusable bags, refillable water bottles, paper and glass over plastics and skipping unnecessary packaging isn’t just an eco-friendly choice; it’s a way of protecting future families too.
5. Take a bike and ride.
If you’re planning a fun day out, why not ditch the car and hop on a bike instead? A bike ride is a wonderful way to move through the day together. Whether you’re heading to a park, the farmer’s market, or just around the neighborhood, biking lets you experience your activities and zero emissions left behind.
Loads of city’s now have designated bike lanes and bike rental schemes so that might be an option. In the US, San Diego and Tucson each have over 600 miles of on-street bike lanes.
Globally, Copenhagen is the most bike friendly city in the world with hundreds of miles of bike lanes and 62% of residents cycling to work!
6. Treat Dad to an EARTHDAY.ORG Ringo Star T-shirt
Still looking for a gift? Is your Dad a fan of The Beatles? Does he love the ocean? How about giving him something cool and meaningful?
How about a 100% organic cotton, plastic-free T-shirt from our EARTHDAY.ORG store is a thoughtful choice and features a design by Ringo Starr himself. It’s a wearable way to support the planet and say thank you to Dad at the same time. He gets a new favorite tee, and you get to give back and support our work. But hurry! The shirt leaves stores on July 7, 2025.
Whatever you do to celebrate your Dad – we hope you get to do it with love, laughter, and a few simple actions that make a big difference. Show him that the world he brought you into matters to you, just like he does.
And remember: while Father’s Day comes once a year, every day is Earth Day. Feel free to show us your love too and tag our IG page. Plus, if you’re looking for more inspiration or facts or you want to share what you’ve done, visit our Earth Action Day webpage. Happy Father’s Day to all the wonderful Dads out there!
