May gives dads 31 excuses to spend time with their daughters. Some are meaningful, some are goofy and a few involve hamburgers. That’s what we call a well-rounded parenting strategy.
May 1 – National Space Day
This is a great time for some backyard stargazing. Set up lawn chairs, bring snacks, download a sky map app and let your daughter pick three things to find in the sky. For younger girls, make it a “moon and stars pajama party.” For older girls, make it a late-night coffee or cocoa outing.
Dad angle: Let her teach you what she finds. Dads do not always need to be mission control.
May 4 – Star Wars Day
“May the Fourth” is universally recognized as the day to celebrate the Star Wars franchise for the frequent reference to “may the force be with you.”
Watch one Star Wars movie together, make themed snacks and debate the important questions, such as whether Ewoks are heroic freedom fighters or small woodland agents of chaos.
Dad angle: Let her pick the movie, even if she chooses the one you think is “wrong.” When it’s done, ask her to explain the hidden character-building messages it included.
May 5 – Cinco de Mayo
Do we really need an excuse to eat tacos? But, this holiday gives us the perfect opportunity for a taco night challenge.
You and your daughter can make tacos together at home or try a local Mexican restaurant. At home, each of you can create a “signature taco,” then give it a dramatic restaurant-style name.
Dad angle: This is an easy cooking night with low risk, unless you or your daughter gets ambitious with hot sauce.
May 5 to 6 – Eta Aquariid meteor shower
The Eta Aquariid meteors peak in early May and come from debris left by Halley’s Comet. One astronomy guide lists the 2026 peak on May 5, while another says the peak runs May 5 to 6.
Either way, the best viewing is usually before dawn and away from city lights.
Dad angle: This one is best for older daughters or adventurous early risers. Bring blankets, donuts and a thermos. Even if you only see three meteors, she may remember the outing for years. And, every time she sees a shooting star in the future she may think of her special time with you.
May 6 – No Homework Day
Since some schools have designated this special day to be free of homework, it just begs a “nothing productive” evening. So, declare it to be a no-pressure night. Play cards, take a walk, build Lego structures, go for ice cream or watch a fun movie.
Dad angle: The rule is simple. Everyone takes the night off. There are no heavy discussions about grades or griping about work. No chores either. It’s just a night to relax and enjoy each other’s company.
May 10 – Mother’s Day
If you are married, this is an essential day of obligation, if you hope to have a happy marriage. But, even if you are divorced from your daughter’s mother, you can still score goodwill points by embarking upon a mom appreciation mission.
Team up to make breakfast, write a note, plant flowers, clean a room or create a small “things we love about Mom” jar. It’s also an ideal time to make your daughter aware of the importance of expressing gratitude to people who selflessly help her all year.
If you are divorced, it is an opportunity to demonstrate how people can still express thanks, like adults. After all, she created your daughter and deserves recognition for that.
When my girls were growing up, Mother’s Day was a non-negotiable holiday. They had to be prepared with a card and gifts.
Dad angle: This is a great day to model gratitude, service and emotional expression.
May 11 to 17 – Bike to Work Week
May is National Bike Month, and Bike to Work Week in 2026 is May 11 to 17, with Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 15.
So, create an opportunity for a father-daughter bike ride to a park, bakery, library or lunch spot. For younger girls, ride around the neighborhood. For older girls, plan a scenic route.
It’s also a great opportunity to teach your daughter to ride a bike or to learn basic bike maintenance skills.
Dad angle: Check helmets, tires, brakes and chains first. Nothing ruins bonding like dad pretending he knows bike maintenance while the chain lies in the street like a dead snake, or walking back home after a flat tire ruins the fun.
May 15 – Endangered Species Day
This is a good day to learn about animal rescue or wildlife in general by focusing on threatened wildlife and habitat protection.
Visit a zoo, wildlife center, nature preserve or aquarium. At home, pick one endangered animal and learn five facts about it. Then draw it, write a short “save my species” poster or raise money to donate a few dollars to a reputable conservation group.
Dad angle: Let her pick the animal. You may be assigned the role of assistant panda researcher.
May 16 – Take Kids to Parks Day
Yes, kids need to spend more time outdoors, so use this day as an excuse for shutting off screens and opening their eyes to the benefits of spending time outside.
The National Park Trust describes it as a national day of outdoor play that connects kids and families with local, state and national parks.
So, pack a lunch, explore a trail, visit a splash pad, throw a Frisbee, take photos or create a simple nature scavenger hunt.
Dad angle: The park does not have to be epic. The point is spending time together, giving her extra attention and letting her lead part of the adventure.
May 16 – Armed Forces Day
Most families either know someone who is actively serving in the military or has done so in the past. So, engage in a thank-a-service-member project.
Write thank-you cards, visit a veterans memorial, attend a community event or talk about – or speak with – family members who served.
Dad angle: Keep it age appropriate. For younger girls, focus on gratitude. For older girls, talk about service, sacrifice and citizenship.
May 18 – International Museum Day
This year’s theme is “Museums Uniting a Divided World.”
Visit an art, history, science, music, sports or quirky local museum. Give each other a challenge to find the strangest object, oldest object, most beautiful object or the thing you would take home if you could. You could also ask what she would include in a museum of her life.
Dad angle: Museums are great for conversation because you are not staring directly at each other the whole time. That often helps some kids open up.
May 20 – Pick Strawberries Day
Find a local berry farm or farmers market and buy some fresh strawberries, or get frozen ones that were picked at the height of freshness. If strawberries are not your thing, then pick another fruit or buy ingredients for shortcake, smoothies or jam.
Dad angle: A daughter who says she does not want to go may still enjoy eating half the berries before you get home.
May 21 – National Memo Day
Does anyone really write memos anymore? This might be a fun opportunity to write a note to each other or your future selves, then seal it in an envelope to open next May.
Here are some ideas to write about:
- What do I hope is different one year from now?
- What do I want Dad to remember?
- What do I want my daughter to know?
Dad angle: This can become a yearly tradition as you document what is going on in each other’s lives as well as your worries, hopes and dreams.
May 24 – National Scavenger Hunt Day
Parks, museums and local groups often use this as an opportunity to create family hunts.
You can also create a hunt at home, in the neighborhood, at a mall, in a museum or at a park. Use categories like something blue, something older than Dad, something that makes you laugh, something shaped like a heart and something you would buy if Dad’s wallet had no limits.
Dad angle: Do not make it too complicated. Instead of taking items, you can take pictures of them.
May 25 – Memorial Day
This is an opportunity to remember not just people who gave their lives in service of the country, but also to recall people who played important roles in your life. Talk about their hardships and successes.
You can visit a cemetery, attend a ceremony, place flags, watch a parade or talk about why the day matters. Then, have a cookout, picnic, pool day or family game night.
Dad angle: This is a good chance to recognize people who came before us and shaped us into the people we are today.
May 28 – National Hamburger Day
This special day is often treated as a kickoff to summer grilling season. Make burgers at home and let your daughter create the toppings.
Try sliders, veggie burgers, turkey burgers or ridiculous “dad burgers” that are too tall to eat with dignity.
May is also National Barbecue Month. So let your daughter help plan and cook one meal outside. Teach her safety, timing, seasoning, flipping and how not to cremate your food.
Dad angle: Give her a real job, not just “stand there and watch Dad perform meat theater.” It teaches her that cooking can be fun.
May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
This is an annual observance tied to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. Let your daughter teach you something active she enjoys, whether it is volleyball, dance, pickleball, softball, hiking, yoga, basketball, skating or just walking while talking.
Dad angle: The goal is not to dominate. The goal is to be coachable. You may be surprised by what she can teach you about something she is passionate about.
May is Get Caught Reading Month
This special occasion was created to encourage people of all ages to read more. It doesn’t matter what you are reading as long as it’s not a video.
Go to a bookstore, library or thrift store. Pick out a book for each other to read as well as one you’d like to read if you were to pick it. Read in the same room for 20 minutes, then talk about what you read and what you found interesting.
Dad angle: Audiobooks count and so do graphic novels as long as it involves mostly words and not drawings. The point is shared activity while learning.
May is School Wind-Down Month
Whether school ends in May or early June, take time to recognize the transition by engaging in an end-of-school interview. Take your daughter out for ice cream, coffee, lemonade or lunch and ask a few questions, like:
- What was the best part of this school year?
- What was harder than people know?
- Who was kind to you?
- What are you proud of?
- What do you want this summer to feel like?
- What are you looking forward to in the next grade?
Dad angle: Listen more than you fix. Encourage her to share her heart, learn from mistakes and, most of all, to keep learning.
There is often a special day of recognition for every day of the month. You can discover more at the National Day Calendar.
I am the father of three now-grown young women with families of their own. A native of Wisconsin, I now live in Arizona, but enjoy visiting my eight grandchildren whenever I can.
