Effective Programs

Looking for some ideas to reach out to dads? Here are some examples of what organizations have been doing for fathers in their communities.

Big Noise Father's Day Drum Workshop

Connections Program, Carleton Place, ON

A professional drummer provided a workshop for dads and their kids. Throughout the workshop, participants learned to keep rhythm, play together, and make a joyful, harmonious noise. It was open to fathers from all cultures and was used as a teaching method for respect for people, the drums, and rhythm.

Santa Claus Parade

Pembroke Ontario Early Years Centre

613-735-7575

The OEYC designed and entered a float in the annual Santa Claus Parade. The float was designed to showcase the Ontario Early Years Centre as well as key messages on the importance of fathers. The float included a large banner with the following key messages: 1) Fathers Matter 2) Fatherhood – The Best Job on the Planet.5 volunteers (dressed in well-known children’s characters) handed out 1,000 candy canes along the route of the parade. Attached to the candy canes were a copy of our program brochure/calendar and a copy of a handout on fatherhood.

Father and Child Barbq

Superior Children's Centre - Best Start Hub

Wawa, ON

705-856-7354

The Father & Child BBQ was set up at the Sports Field with games, food and activities. The games included tug-o-war, ring toss, golf, parachutes, fishing for sharks, bean bag toss and three legged races. The parents and children submitted their names and a draw was made for a family camping weekend. The “Camp Draw” consisted of a tent, cooler, lantern, 2 chairs, all in one tool, 3 fishing poles, sunscreen, insect repellant, citronella candle and a $50 grocery gift card.

Breakfast with a Craft

Child Development resource Connection Peel

Brampton, ON 905-452-1973

Fathers and grandfathers attended with their young children; engaged inplay activities; mingling with one another; eating together; decorated photoframes; and participated in circle song and story time. Photo’s taken were distributed to the Dads on subsequent visits and many posted in our centre for all families toenjoy.

Let's Go Fly a Kite

Kids 'n' Dad

Waterloo, ON 519-342-1351

Father's Day event including the following:

Children’s activities includes a father-child walk around Waterloo Park’s Mini Zoo;
Face painting; Free play; free family BBQ;
Traditional Picnic games for families - prizes for participating
Every child receives a kite to fly with their dad or parent
Tribute band played throughout.

Dads and Kids Together

Milton Community Resource Centre

Milton, ON 905-876-1244

On the 3^rd Saturday morning a month, for four months, dads and their children gathered to focus on a particular experiential learning theme These free sessions included the following:

Dad & Me Building (construct pre-cut wood tool boxes)
Dad & Me Cooking (create healthy snacks)
Dad & Me Getting Active (music & movement and other gross motor activities)
Dad & Me Reading (listening to stories, sharing books together, crafts… make a snow globe)

Sharing a healthy snack was part of each event. In addition each family was given handouts to extend the activities at home and a “gift” related to their play time: tool box & hammer, juice squeezer & cutting board, tambourine, children’s book. Photos were taken at each event and, upon request, were e-mailed to participants.

Dads Today

LAMP Community Health Centre

Toronto, ON 416-252-9701 ext 407

Dads Today offers fathers activities, parenting groups, and information/support that encourage deeper connections between dads and their children.

Dads Time - drop in program for dads and kids two weekday evenings a week
Dads and Kids: In Action - one Saturday morning a month (gym day, hike, read 'n' swim, etc.)
3 - 4 fathering groups focused on parenting skills for dads
website and email connection
Dads Count Family Matters annual conference

CFII Video