Many times, Dads are unsure what to do with their sons before they are old enough to hold a baseball or a football, or to wield a hockey puck. Dads want to spend time with their sons, but are sometimes stymied when confronted with the idea of planned time together. What is a Dad to do?

The most important thing to remember is that boys love to spend time with their dads. Nine times out of ten, they don’t care what they’re doing together; they just care that they are together. With a little simple planning, though, the time that Dads spend with their sons can turn into memories that both will treasure forever.

Spring is the perfect time to set up your garden after the cold winter. Since most little boys love to dig in the dirt, involving them in this process can have a dual purpose. Dads can churn up the soil while their sons (who are conveniently close to the ground!) pull out the rocks and weeds. With any luck, some worms or toads will show up in the soil, providing the opportunity for some impromptu fun!

If working the garden is not Dad’s cup of tea, try that perennial favorite: a trip to the park! Many moms feel like they spend years on end at the park when they have young sons, but often these trips take place when Dad is at work. It can be an unexpected delight for a Dad to take his son to the park. It is also a fun for a little boy to be able to run around showing his Dad everything he can do.

Tackling any kind of home improvement project together is a time-tested father/son activity. Even sons who are too young to use hammers, screwdrivers, and saws can hand tools to their fathers. Nothing warms a young son’s heart more than feeling like he is helping his father with some key task. At the same time, he is learning important skills like responsibility with tools, responsibility for caring for his home, and working well together with someone else. What better person than Dad to teach a boy these lessons?

Finally, there are some Dads who love to cook. Whether Dad’s forte is the grill, breakfast foods, or desserts, most little boys love to help in the kitchen just as much as little girls do. If it’s a rainy spring day, consider making cookies, pancakes, or anything else the two of you like to make. Even very young boys can help mix, pour, and shape. As a bonus, all kids are more likely to eat foods that they had a hand in creating, so if there is something you really wish your son would eat, let him help you make it!

Dads love their sons just as much as moms do, but while moms are often caught up in the day-to-day business of taking care of their boys, Dads sometimes need a specific direction when they get to spend time with their sons. Planning ahead and choosing a specific activity can often help the time that dads and sons spend together proceed more smoothly and enjoyably.