12 Creative Classes for Dad He'll Love This Father's Day

We all know the drill: when dad says he doesn’t want any Father’s Day gifts for 2026, what he actually means is he doesn’t want yet another dad mug, a box of socks, or a hilarious t-shirt. Father’s Day 2026 falls on 21 June and is the perfect time to show your appreciation for your dad, grandpa, husband, or any other man in your life.

But what do you get for the man who has everything (or claims he doesn't want anything)? Rather than resorting to another pair of novelty socks, why not try something different? Creative classes for dad are a brilliant way to give him something he'll actually remember – a hands-on experience, a new skill, and a properly good time. From foodie workshops to crafty sessions, read on for 12 creative activities for fathers that'll make his day extra special.

How to choose the right class for your dad

Before you dive into our list, it's worth thinking about what kind of experience would suit your dad best. Here are a few things to consider:

• Total beginner or keen hobbyist? Most craft workshops for dad are designed with first-timers in mind, so there's no pressure to be 'good' at anything. That said, if he's already got a hobby he loves – say, cooking or painting – look for a class that'll push his skills a little further rather than covering the basics.
• Solo session or a duo activity? Some dads would love a couple of hours to themselves, while others would jump at the chance to do something together. Many of the classes below work brilliantly as a shared experience – think cocktail making with mum, or a terrarium build with the kids.
• What to expect on the day. Sessions typically run between two and three hours. Comfortable clothes are the way to go – especially for anything involving clay, paint, or food. Most workshops provide all the materials, so he just needs to show up. And in almost every case, he'll come home with something he made himself, which is a pretty great bonus.

1. Cocktail making: bring out his inner Bond

From the cars to the clothes to the cocktails, it’s hard not to have at least a twinge of envy for fictional super-spy James Bond. Why not give dad a taste of the high life with a cocktail making masterclass? Whether he likes his martinis shaken or stirred – or prefers something on the fruitier side – he'll learn how to make his own signature drinks from some of the best mixologists in the UK.

It also makes a brilliant couples' activity if mum fancies getting involved – what better way to let their hair down than going behind the scenes at a local bar?

Get more from this class: Treat him to a basic cocktail shaker set and a couple of interesting liqueurs so he can keep experimenting at home. Bonus points if you organise a family cocktail night where he can show off.

2. Cooking: take his next family barbecue to new heights

We only get a handful of proper barbecue weather days a year in the UK, so why waste them? Banish incinerated sausages and cremated burgers forever by letting dad learn the art of grilling at a BBQ cooking class.

He'll cover everything from delicious marinade recipes (for carnivores and vegans alike) to nailing the right grill temperature for whatever he's cooking. Far better than a novelty apron as a hands-on hobby for dad.

Plus, he can apply those skills to cooking indoors on the other 360 days of the year – you can thank us later for the mouthwatering family meals.

Get more from this class: Offer to be his sous chef at the next family barbecue so he can road-test everything he learned. A decent meat thermometer makes a great companion gift, too.

3. Food and drink tasting: make Father's Day 2026 one to remember

Maybe you know a busy guy who'd appreciate leaving the cooking to someone else for once – how does a beer and cheese tasting experience sound? Expertly blending two fatherly staples, he'll get to explore new and exciting taste combinations under the guidance of people who really know their stuff. If you're hunting for Father's Day gifts, there's not much that beats a full belly and a happy grin.

Not a big beer fan? You'll also find everything from local gin distilling sessions to three-course meals paired with rare whisky. A brilliant way to let your pops indulge in the finer things and learn something new in the process.

Get more from this class: If he discovered a gin or whisky he loved, consider gifting him a bottle from that distillery. A proper memento from his special day – cheers!

4.

Hand-building pottery: let him get his hands dirty

We're big fans of pottery – not only is it a brilliant way to unwind, but the satisfaction of creating something both beautiful and useful is second to none. If your dad is a dab-hand at DIY or an artisan in waiting, a hand-building pottery class might be right up his street. While wheel throwing gets all the attention, hand-building proves you don't need any specialised equipment – and it's one of the most relaxing creative classes for dad out there.

Whether he's a coffee lover who fancies crafting a ceramic mug or wants to make a planter for his beloved plants, an expert-led clay session is the ideal way to get started.

Get more from this class: Look into local pottery studios where he can book follow-up sessions and get his pieces fired and glazed. Before long, your cupboards will be full of handmade ceramics.

5. Glass terrariums: a fantastic experience to share

Speaking of plants, succulent terrariums make fantastic gifts for any green-fingered guys. Combining the time-honoured dadly pursuits of gardening and DIY, there are plenty of options for creating a miniature ecosystem to suit his tastes, from local workshops to at-home kits.

Why not make it extra special by building one together? Whether you live on the same street or in different countries, creating a terrarium with your dad is a brilliant bonding activity – and you both get a beautiful, green centrepiece to admire afterwards.

Douglas Crane treated his dad to a tipples and terrariums experience with Mid Earth Terrariums, and told us: 

Bought it as a birthday present for my dad. Lovely relaxed evening that we thoroughly enjoyed. Great instruction and materials and a super terrarium to take home! Thank you. 

Get more from this class: Gift him a book on terrarium care or a voucher for a local garden centre so he can add new plants and decorative bits to his miniature ecosystem.

6. Calligraphy: a meditative activity he'll love

Whether dad's an artistic type looking for new creative avenues or an old-fashioned gentleman who values handwritten letters over emails, there arecalligraphy classes all over the UK that would make fantastic craft workshops for dad.

From honing his handwriting to creating inspirational art for his office wall, brush lettering and calligraphy are both soothing and practical – perfect for hard-working dads who don't take enough time for themselves.

Get more from this class: A quality calligraphy pen set, some coloured inks, and a pad of good paper will keep him practising. Frame one of his first successful pieces – he'll be chuffed.

7. Watercolour painting: set his inner artist free

When it comes to relaxing creative activities for fathers, it's hard to beat watercolour painting. It's a forgiving medium for beginners and takes up far less space than canvas painting – ideal for guys with smaller studies or sheds. It also makes a brilliant hobby for new dads on leave; a quick watercolour sketch is the perfect mini-meditation between feeds.

There's a wide variety of watercolour painting classes to help your pops get started, from hazy landscapes to botanical studies, so you're sure to find something that suits his personality.

Budding artist Katie Driver treated her dad to an introductory watercolour painting class from Paperdoll Art Studio, and told us:

Really fun class - had a lovely time with my dad, it really built up his confidence painting. Our teacher Ishbel was lovely and very talented!

Get more from this class: A beginner's watercolour set with a decent range of paints, brushes, and paper will keep the momentum going. Look for local art groups he might enjoy joining, too.

8. Paint and sip: help him switch off and unwind

If your pops is the outgoing type, a​​​​​​​ paint and sip class might be more his cup of tea (or glass of wine). What better way to let the stress of the working week melt away than a drink and draw workshop? With a brush in one hand and a glass of vino in the other, he'll be in his creative element as he puts together a mini-masterpiece.

It may be Father's Day, but that doesn't mean mum can't get involved too – even if they're both complete beginners, they'll have a great time creating together at a couples painting class.

Get more from this class: Suggest he invites a mate for a future paint-and-sip evening at home. A nice bottle and a fresh set of brushes are all they need.

9. Woodworking: build something that lasts

For the dad who's happiest with a toolkit in hand, a woodworking class is a seriously satisfying hands-on hobby. He could learn to make anything from a chopping board to a small shelf or a picture frame – all under the guidance of an experienced craftsperson. There's something properly rewarding about shaping raw timber into a finished piece, and he'll come home with something genuinely useful.

It's also a great option for dads who've always fancied having a go at furniture upcycling but didn't know where to start.

Get more from this class: If there's a local maker space or community workshop nearby, a membership would let him keep building. A quality chisel set wouldn't go amiss, either.

10. Beer brewing: from the pub to the kitchen

If dad's the type who can talk hops and ABV all afternoon, a beer brewing workshop will be right up his street. He'll learn the basics of the brewing process – from grain to glass – and come away with the knowledge (and sometimes the kit) to start experimenting at home. It's one of those creative classes for dad that keeps on giving, because every batch he brews is a new project.

Plenty of breweries and craft beer specialists across the UK run beginner-friendly sessions that are as social as they are educational.

Get more from this class: A starter home-brew kit makes a great follow-up gift. He'll be perfecting his own IPA in no time – and you get to be the taste tester.

11. Gin distilling: craft his own signature spirit

For the dad who's more of a G&T man, a gin distilling workshop is a properly special experience. He'll learn how botanicals work together to create different flavour profiles, and in most sessions he'll leave with his very own bottle of handcrafted gin. It's the kind of hands-on hobby for dad that feels a bit luxurious without being over the top.

Many distilleries pair the session with a tasting, so he'll get to sample a few different gins before getting stuck in.

Get more from this class: Pick up a set of quality tonic waters and some fresh botanicals so he can host his own gin tasting at home. A perfect excuse to get the family together.

12. Photography walk: see the world through a new lens

If dad's more of an outdoors type, a photography walk combines fresh air with a genuinely useful new skill. Led by experienced photographers, these guided walks cover everything from composition and lighting to getting the best out of a smartphone camera – so he doesn't even need fancy gear. It's a creative activity for fathers that gets him out of the house and exploring his local area with fresh eyes.

Lots of photography walks are themed around cityscapes, nature, or street photography, so you can pick one that matches his interests.

Get more from this class: Print and frame a few of his best shots from the walk. Or, if he catches the bug, look into a follow-up editing workshop so he can polish his photos like a pro.

An experience gift card doesn’t have to be a last resort

Whether dad's had a secret desire to get into candle making, is a renaissance man who likes to try his hand at a bit of everything, or just prefers to do things his own way, a ClassBento gift card might be the perfect pick.

This isn't a last-minute supermarket checkout find: this is a gift card that gives any lucky fella the keys to a world of crafts and experiences. Available in easily customisable denominations, it's the ideal way to spark dad's imagination and let him choose his own creative adventure.

Looking for Christmas gifts for dad? Click here.