Alright Gang. It’s time to think outside the tie box this Father’s Day. Here are a few ideas to step up your game plan for Dad (or Grandpa, or Uncle Bob…).

Get him out of the house! Put tickets in this year’s card for his favorite summer sport, concert, or send him with a group of fellow dads and friends to enjoy a local activity. And if you don’t have time to go to the ticket office, print off the confirmation and stick it in the card.

{activity ideas: Seattle Sounders Football Club / Bumbershoot Art & Music Festival / Road Dogs: Seattle Brewery Tour}

Give Dad some new duds to sport around town, including a grown-up version of his favorite-yet-needs-to-be-retired red hooded sweatshirt.

{wearable ideas: Be Optimistic Tee, Best Made Company / Timex Vintage Field Army Watch, J Crew / Vintage Fleece Zip Hoodie, J Crew}

Enjoy the bounties of his crown jewel, the backyard, and play a game of croquet. Old-fashioned? Slightly. Is it a blast? YES. Will it get competitive? Highly likely. A little side note: Learning and playing croquet still remains one of my favorite childhood memories with my dad while we lived on the Pearl Harbor Naval Base’s grounds. Our neighborhood was where the base’s hospital was located before it was moved after WWII. These amazing homes, which once housed hospital staff and radio operators, were fortunate to have huge yards so our croquet courts were rather large in scale. If you don’t have the space in your yard to create a mini-court let alone a full size one, head over to a park to get your court set-up (and bring a picnic along too). If Dad isn’t able to get around the yard like he use to, how ’bout sitting on the porch for a game of backgammon with him? If he’s a Grill-Master, get him a new set of tools for his favorite past-time activity. Skip the tongs and spatula if he already has a good set and indulge him with a burger or slider press so he can whip ’em out in style.

{backyard ideas: Croquet Set & Kiddie-Friendly Croquet Set / Backgammon, CB2 / Grilling Tools, Crate & Barrel}

croquet image via From China Village