The Silent Disappointment of Dads on Father’s Day - And How to Fix It!

Father’s Day spending may be on the rise—with Brits planning to spend more on average than they did for Mother’s Day—but new research suggests that even the extra effort might be missing the mark. According to a recent survey by MyVoucherCodes, the most wanted gift among dads is a day out, closely followed by tech and a good meal. 

But what are they likely to receive instead? Alcohol and food top the list.

This mismatch between what dads want and what they’ll likely unwrap hints at a quieter, unspoken disappointment—one where well-meaning gifts fall short of meaningful ones. So, how do we bridge the gap between token gestures and memorable moments? The answer might lie in rethinking how we show appreciation—by trading socks and spirits for experience days that last!

MyVoucherCodes shared four handy tips for saving money while still giving thoughtful gifts this Father’s Day:

• Plan ahead
• Get creative
• Club together for a group gift
• Seek out discounts on experience days

At WonderDays, helping you do just that—save money while giving unforgettable, lasting experience gifts—is right at the heart of what we do.

We’ve elaborated on how WonderDays can help you on each of these tips:

Plan Ahead

MyVoucherCodes suggests starting to shop early to give yourself the time to find the best deals.

However, whilst this is correct, planning early can also mean you get the dates convenient to you for the chosen experience day you decide to gift.

Popular experiences such as:

• Track days
• Hot air balloon rides
• Hotels
• Theatre shows
• River cruise

all require at least 72 hours booking in advance but a month is a more reasonable time frame to give yourself to find the perfect date for you.

Be Creative

MyVoucherCodes talk about how something handmade or made from the heart is a more thoughtful option than a store bought gift..and we can help there too!

With a whole category dedicated to being creative, there’s a range of adventures you can buy your dad so the creativity can flow!

Pottery Experience

A pottery experience is a great place to start! Why not learn how to throw pottery on a wheel, create a masterpiece and then paint it before you have it fired in a kiln. You’re able to keep the item you make so you’ll always have a father days gift in your house and if you fancy it, take your kids along too and make it a real memorable family day!

Photography Workshop

We’re sure your kids will tell you they are the best subjects for photos, so why not learn to do it properly! On this course you’ll learn the art of photography and take great photos no matter what camera you have.

Led by a professional photographer, you can discover the different camera types and camera settings to enable you to take the best shots you can. Another way of collecting memories from Father’s Day.

Learn How to Make Bread

A skill that everyone should have, this baking masterclass will give your dad the perfect excuse to make even more sandwiches! With the choice of three things to make, sourdough, croissants or pastries, your dad can be the Paul Hollywood of the house!

Buy a Group Gift

One of the best ways to treat Dad without stretching the budget is to team up and go in on a group gift. Chipping in with siblings, friends or family means you can make a bigger gesture, without one person covering the full cost. Even better, loads of our experiences are available for up to six people, so you can all be there to share the day and make it extra special. Unless, of course, his dream experience is skydiving… in which case, he might be flying solo on that one!

Look For Discounts on Experiences

Despite being number one on Dad’s list, experience days are often overlooked because people assume they’re too expensive. Sure, some can be a bit pricier—but there are loads of affordable options he’d love way more than those last-minute beers from the corner shop.

So forget everything you thought you knew about experience days, and let us blow you away with Father’s Day offers that will give Dad the thrill he deserves!

War of The Worlds

If sci-fi is his thing, he’ll love the chance to immerse himself in the all-too-real Martian invasion at Jeff Wayne’s War of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience. 

With live actors, cutting-edge tech, and iconic music from the original album, it’s like stepping straight into the story. You’ll journey through a series of interactive, walk-through sets—from the quiet English countryside to the chaos of a full-scale Martian invasion—complete with heat rays, smoke effects, and even virtual reality. One minute you’re in a Victorian parlour, the next you’re dodging alien tripods in a crumbling London street. It’s theatrical, cinematic, and totally thrilling, bringing much more excitement than the traditional pair of socks. 

Not only is it a completely unique day out, it’s currently 20% off—so not only will you get major brownie points, you’ll also get to save a few pennies too!

Indoor Skydiving 

Want to give him a taste of skydiving without the whole jumping-out-of-a-plane bit? If skydiving is sitting proudly at the top of his bucket list, indoor skydiving is the perfect way for him to dip his toe in. He’ll experience the thrill of freefall in a safe, controlled wind tunnel—no parachute, no nerves, just pure adrenaline. It’s a brilliant intro to the real thing or an unforgettable adventure in its own right.

Even better, indoor skydiving is available for all ages from 3 and up (with parental guidance for under 18s), so it makes a thrilling day out for the whole family—yes, even the little daredevils.

And right now, it’s 50% off for Father’s Day, making it the perfect time to book a high-flying surprise without the high price tag.

Zombie Survival Day

Not for the faint-hearted...
For the dads who fancy themselves as a real-life Joel Miller, this Zombie Survival Day is the ultimate test of survival skills. Set in eerie locations like prisons, forests, and abandoned factories across the UK, this immersive experience plunges him into a post-apocalyptic world overrun by the undead. 

Armed with realistic metal rifles and guided by expert instructors, he'll need to solve puzzles, rescue survivors, and make split-second decisions to escape unscathed. With stunt actors in full film-quality SFX makeup, the line between reality and fiction blurs, delivering a thrilling experience that’ll have him dying to come back for more.

Even better, it's currently 21% off—making it the perfect time to gift Dad an unforgettable experience without breaking the bank.

Skid Pan Driving Experience

If he loves the thrill of fast cars but the closest he’s ever got to nailing donuts is the baked variety, then this Skid Pan Driving Experience will have him channelling his inner Lewis Hamilton in no time. 

Set in a safe, controlled environment, this experience teaches drivers how to handle skids and slides on low-grip surfaces. Under the guidance of professional instructors, he’ll learn how to correct understeer and oversteer, regain control during a spin, and perfect emergency manoeuvres—all while having a seriously good time.

It's not just about fun; it's about mastering essential driving skills that could prove invaluable on slippery roads. And with the 47% Father's Day discount, it's the perfect time to gift him an unforgettable day out that combines excitement with practical knowledge.

Tactical Helicopter Flying Lesson

If he's always dreamt of taking to the skies, the Tactical Helicopter Flying Lesson from WonderDays is the perfect way to make that dream a reality. This hands-on experience offers a thrilling introduction to helicopter piloting, with just the right mix of excitement and expert guidance.

It all starts with a safety briefing, where he’ll get to grips with the controls and what makes a helicopter tick. Then, over the course of 45 minutes, he’ll take part in three flights—two as a passenger and one where he takes the controls himself. With a qualified instructor by his side, he might even get the chance to take on the hover challenge (which is trickier than it looks, but definitely one to brag about).

Not only is it a proper adrenaline rush, but the flight time even counts towards a pilot’s licence. With multiple UK locations, it’s a brilliant and unique way to give him a day he won’t forget—and a serious upgrade from a new mug or another pair of novelty socks. Even better, it’s currently 14% off, so you can treat him to something unforgettable without going over budget.

Tank Driving Experience

Have you lost count of the number of times he’s watched Saving Private Ryan and Dunkirk? If his war film obsession is getting a little out of hand, this Tank Driving Experience is sure to hit the spot.

He’ll take the controls of a real military tank, rumbling across rugged terrain with expert instructors to guide him every step of the way. It’s a brilliant way to live out those big-screen battle scenes—only this time, he’s in the driving seat.

And with 50% off for Father’s Day, it’s the perfect chance to give him something completely different, without spending a fortune.

So if you want to save Dad from the silent disappointment of yet another gift he could’ve bought himself, choose something that actually means something. According to a recent survey, experiences and days out are what dads really want—time to make memories, have a laugh, and do something a bit special with the people they love. And honestly, what better gift is there than that?