Dads, Why You Should Plan a Guys’ Night Out with Your Son This Holiday (15 Fun Ideas)

3

This Post: Dads, Why You Should Plan a Guys’ Night Out with Your Son This Holiday: 15 Fun Ideas

Written By: Nancy Reynolds

Dads, when was the last time you spent quality time with your son?

I’m not talking about a 15-minute car ride to run a quick errand or a brief conversation in the morning before your son heads off to school. I’m talking about one-on-one time to hang out – just the two of you – minus all the distractions of life.  

With the hustle of family gatherings, gift shopping, and your holiday to-do list, it’s not always easy to carve out time with your son to create lasting memories and give you both a chance to unwind and hang out together.

Listen, Dads… a guys’ night out doesn’t have to be extravagant or expensive. It’s about having fun together, laughing, and spending quality time together to enjoy each other’s company – something your boy will carry with him for years to come. 

Here are 15 fun and unique ideas for a memorable father-son holiday outing.

1. Attend a Sporting Event/Game

Is your son a huge football fan? Does he love ice hockey but he’s never been to a game? Check out the sports events and games going on near you and make plans for a fun night out rooting for your favorite team. The energy of the crowd and the thrill of the game make it a great bonding experience. Bonus points if you grab some stadium snacks!

2. Have a Movie Marathon at a Theater

Pick a holiday blockbuster or an action-packed film you’ll both enjoy and spend the afternoon at the theater munching on popcorn, candy, and junk food. If you’re in the mood, hit two or three movies and make it a marathon!

3. Go on a Holiday Lights Tour

Listen up, Dads… your son might act all cool, but he’ll never be too old to enjoy holiday lights! Hop in the car and drive through neighborhoods decked out in holiday lights. Add some hot cocoa or cider, festive snacks (of course!), crank up the Christmas tunes, and have fun ranking the houses from least favorite to favorite.

4. Head Out for an Evening of Skiing, Sledding or Tobogganing

If you live in a snowy area, take advantage of it and plan a chilly but fun night under the stars. Night skiing is so much fun (even if your son has never skied before) and if you do a Google search in your area, you should be able to find places to go sledding or tobogganing. Be sure to take lots of pictures!

5. Host a Friendly Video Game Tournament

Does your son have a video game he’s moderately (okay… maybe majorly) obsessed with? Have you ever played it with him, Dad? Why not whip up a few snacks and let your son teach you the ins and outs of his favorite game and then battle it out to see if you can beat him? (Umm… don’t get your hopes up, Dad.) 

6. Build Something Together

Does your son need shelves for his bedroom? Has he always been interested in building a computer from scratch? Is he a fan of model race cars?  Whether you build something from scratch or you pick up a cool kit you can build together, you’ll be working together to figure it out and bonding in the process. Trust me on this, Dads… your son won’t forget the time you spent with him. 

7. Plan a Pizza n’ Bowling Night

When was the last time your son was bowling? It’s such a fun way to hang out, laugh, and tease each other about your lousy bowling shots or why you need the gutter guards to keep your ball in the lane. Be sure to order pizza or snacks… food and teen boys always go hand-in-hand. 

8. Enjoy a BBQ Feast

Seriously, is there a teen boy who doesn’t love BBQ? Why not hit up the best BBQ restaurant in town and stuff yourself with the tastiest and tangiest BBQ ever? Be sure to sample all the traditional side dishes, too, like corn on the cob, cornbread, and, of course, Mac n’ Cheese! Then you can spend the evening eating and chatting about… well, whatever! It doesn’t matter what you talk about as long as you’re together.

(Your son doesn’t love BBQ? Try Mexican food, Sushi, the best burger joint in town, or anything else he loves!)

9. Go-Kart Racing

Why not add a little friendly competition to the holiday season (and see who’s the fastest) in a father-son go-kart race? Even if your son does beat you (which he might, dads!) you’ll both be laughing the whole way through as you fight for the number one spot!

10. Play Laser Tag or Paintball

12. Try Axe Throwing

For older sons, axe throwing is a unique and exciting activity that will get the adrenaline pumping. It’s surprisingly therapeutic and makes for some great father-son camaraderie.

13. Do an “Escape Room” Challenge

If you’ve never done an Escape Room you really ARE missing out. It’s so much fun and far more challenging than you think! It’ll have you and your son working together against the clock to escape the room of your choosing. Get ready for some fun laughs!

14. Golf Driving Range or Topgolf

Now you can both test your swing at a driving range or head to the nearest Topgolf near you where you can order snacks and drinks and have a friendly competition to see who can hit the longest drive. 

15. Go to a Concert, Local Music Event or Comedy Club

Is your son into music? Why not surprise him with tickets to one of his favorite bands? Does your son love a good laugh? Check out the listing of comedy clubs in your area. (Just make sure it’s age-appropriate since some comedy clubs can be pretty off-color.) Check your local listings to see what holiday events are going on near you… you’re likely to find lots of ideas that you and your boy can enjoy together!

Why a Guys’ Night Out Matters

Life gets busy, and most parents look back and realize that their kids’ teen years often felt like a blur. That’s why it’s so important to carve out time for your son, Dads.

Having a Dad who takes the time to connect in meaningful ways is invaluable. It will teach your son that relationships take effort, that they’re worth prioritizing, and that even in the chaos of life, moments of fun and togetherness matter most.

As dads, these moments are just as rewarding. You get to witness your son’s unique personality, his humor, and his growth. A simple night out can spark deep conversations or lead to moments of carefree fun that remind both of you to treasure your relationship.

So this holiday season, don’t let the chance slip by. Pick an idea, grab your son, and head out for an unforgettable guys’ night that’s all about bonding, laughter, and holiday cheer.

If you enjoyed reading, “Dads, Why You Should Plan a Guys’ Night Out with Your Son This Holiday (15 Fun Ideas!),” here are a few other posts you might enjoy!

Hey, Dads: 36 Fun Ideas to Bond With Your Teen Son

Teen Bucket List: 99 Things To Do In Winter That Are Cheap or Free