Here are some fun and practical ways dads and daughters can do something meaningful and memorable together to celebrate International Women’s Day:
- Have a “women who inspire us” breakfast – Each of you names three women you admire and says why. They can be relatives, teachers, athletes, authors, business leaders, Bible figures or historical women.
- Create a daughter’s “strength list” – Dad writes down 10 things he admires about his daughter, such as courage, kindness, humor, persistence or creativity. Then read it aloud to her.
- Interview grandma, mom, aunt or another mentor – Ask about her childhood, hardest challenge, proudest moment and best advice for girls today. Record it on your phone so your daughter keeps the story.
- Visit a place that honors women – Try a women’s history museum, a library display, an art exhibit.
- Support a woman-owned business – Go out for coffee, lunch, ice cream or shopping and intentionally choose a woman-owned shop. Try to talk to the owner for encouragement.
- Do a service project together – Donate toiletries to a women’s shelter, assemble care bags or volunteer for a cause that helps women and girls.
- Make a “future goals” vision board – Cut out pictures or print words that reflect who your daughter wants to become. Dad can make one, too, so it feels like a shared activity rather than a lecture.
- Read about remarkable women – Pick short profiles of women in science, sports, faith, aviation, politics, medicine or the arts. Take turns reading one and talking about what stood out.
- Cook dinner inspired by a notable female chef.
- Write thank-you notes – Have your daughter write notes to women who have encouraged her. Dad can do the same. Teachers, coaches, pastors, grandmothers and neighbors all count.
Have a dad-daughter movie night to watch a film with a strong female characters. Here are some recommendations:
For younger girls
- Moana – A strong, brave heroine who leads with courage and compassion.
- Mulan – A classic choice about bravery, loyalty and stepping beyond expectations.
- Brave – A great pick for independence, confidence and standing up for your own future.
- Frozen – Good for talking about love, sacrifice and the bond between girls and women in a family.
- Matilda -A brilliant girl stands up to injustice.
For tweens and teens
- Hidden Figures – Excellent for showing brilliance, determination and women succeeding in science despite barriers.
- A League of Their Own – Fun, funny and inspiring, with women proving they belong on the field and beyond.
- The Princess Diaries – A lighter option about confidence, identity and growing into yourself.
- Little Women – A thoughtful choice about ambition, family, creativity and different paths for women.
- Fly Away Home – It blends a strong girl’s journey with a meaningful father-daughter relationship.
For older teens and adults
- Erin Brockovich – A strong example of grit, intelligence and refusing to back down.
- Soul Surfer – A true story about Bethany Hamilton, a competitive surfer who lost an arm in a shark attach. Great for perseverance, faith and resilience after hardship.
- Harriet – The tale of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery. She went on to free hundreds of slaves herself.
- True Spirit – The true story of Jessica Watson who, at 16, became the youngest person to sail around the world solo, nonstop and unassisted.
- The Iron Lady – A documentary about U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s extraordinary life.
