Dads have been getting a lot of negative attention for a long time. There seems to be this idea going around that dads are somehow not as engaged or as attentive as moms. This is just not the case for so many kids. There are lots of dads out there, most dads I’d say, who really want the best for their kids. They really try.
Then there are the dads who deserve an award for how hard they try. Some of the dads you’re about to meet have made it their duty as fathers to do seriously awesome things and make memories their kids will never forget. The internet won’t forget either.
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1. The Guy From High School Who Covered Everything In Electrical Tape Has Kids Now
Childhood is about Mario Kart and imagination. For some dads, adulthood is about the same. This dad used his imagination and love of Mario to make this amazing pair of race cars!
2. “Connor’s Day”
Connor Harrison had beat cancer twice before age 12. When his parents were told the cancer was back, they were also told that this time, he had 11 weeks to live.
His father, Scott, knew that Connor wanted to see a car show, but there were none in the area. The dad appealed to the internet and it responded with nearly 2200 cars and 4000 people.
Connor didn’t know his cancer had come back and everyone was told not to mention it to him. They let him enjoy his day all thanks to his loving father.
3. Take Her Doll To Work Day
When this tough trucker was asked by his little girl to babysit her doll, he didn’t laugh (maybe on the inside) or dismiss the request as silly. Not only did he take the dolly to work, but he chronicled their day together with photos. Here she is comfortably seated in the front with a seat belt because safety first!
4. This Dad Built A Friggin’ Spaceship
Fashioned out of love, creativity, and time (the hardest thing to make), this is Noah’s spaceship. His crafty father put this together, and the detail is very impressive. Love is one heck of a motivator.
5. “We’re Out, Like You Now”
This letter was posted online and exploded. People everywhere were deeply touched reading this letter from a father to his gay son. It reads:
“Nate, I overheard your phone conversation with Mike last night about your plans to come out to me. The only thing I need you to plan is to bring home OJ and bread after class. We are out, like you now.
“I’ve known you were gay since you were six, I’ve loved you since you were born.
6. A Good Father Makes Lessons Impactful And Unforgettable
When his daughters wanted to wear short shorts, he said, “Oh no, allow me” and taught them a lesson no one will forget. He’s one dad who went above and beyond with teaching lessons. This might follow them through college.
7. Oh, The Places This Book Went
Oh, The Places You Will Go is a classic Dr. Seuss book most of us remember from childhood. One father purchased a copy and for 13 years asked every one of his daughter’s teachers/coaches/mentors to write her something special. On graduation day, he presented her with what might be the most important memento she may ever get.
“Sitting there reading through this book there are encouraging and sweet words from every teacher I love and remember through my years in this small town,” wrote the daughter. “My early teachers mention my ‘Pigtails and giggles,’ while my high school teachers mention my ‘Wit and sharp thinking..’ But they all mention my humor and love for life.”
8. The Littlest Things Mean The Most
Parents can’t just tell a kid to read, they have to show a kid to read. This dad is demonstrating that reading is fun and can pass the time on smelly public transit. He even gave up his seat for his little girl. The redditor who posted this image titled it, “After a long day of work, this Dad still knows what his real job is.”
9. What Wheelchair?
This deliciously adorable ice cream truck is more than super cute. It’s a lovely idea thought up by a father who wants what every parent wants: to make their child happy. That’s why he designed and built this ice cream truck costume so when his son is wheeling around, it looks as though he’s driving a truck. You can hardly tell there is a wheelchair in there. It plays music and everything!
10. The Most Embarrassing Dad In The World
Nothing better than growing up with a father who has a sense of humor. Dale Price has been internet-labeled as the most embarrassing dad in the world because he literally makes embarrassing his son a daily routine.
A couple years ago, Dale dressed up in a Charger’s football uniform with helmet to wave to his son on the second day of high school (he waved normally the first day). This became a daily tradition, and since his son’s first day of high school, he has been a mermaid, a doctor and these lovely numbers. So much work, but so much love and sweet teen cringing.
11. Transformer Baby
This is a lot of work for one costume. This dad built this massive, exceedingly well-executed Transformer ensemble since, well, babies this young are usually a flower or a kitten for Halloween. HIS baby was going to outdo the whole town.
12. Every Day Since 2008
This image was posted to Reddit with the title, “This guy has drawn on his kids’ lunch bags everyday… since 2008.” Upon clicking the link, you find this is only a small part of a massive collection of what looks like hundreds of sandwich bags, each totally different from the last. When creative people become parents, awesome things happen.
13. Amazing Idea From An Amazing Father
Halloween is all about candy but for some kids, health problems get in the way. This letter was written by a father named Allen and delivered to all of the neighbors with toys attached.
It explains that his son Fletcher has epilepsy and needs to keep a strict diet that disallows ALL candy. Instead, he asked the community to give his boy the toy he provided when he knocks on their door. This way, Fletcher can participate with his friends without indulging and triggering a seizure.
14. “My dad got me right in the feels today with a wallet.”
Sentimental gifts, while a bit cheesy, are still incredibly touching and can bring anyone to tears. This is so sweet and filled with great advice, the wisdom only a parent can pass down!
15. Daily Reminder
This photo included a backstory by the uploader: “When I was two I gave my Dad a stuffed beluga whale to keep in his work bag so that if he ever missed me he could hold it and think of me. 18 years later, my Dad has just informed me he still brings my beluga whale to work with him every day.”
It’s not only adorable that he kept it, but that he has it with him every day, he always wants to think about his child!
16. It’s The Little Things
That silver ring is actually a keychain ring, but when his child gave it to him when they were five years old, he vowed to cherish it.
And cherish it he did, as this photo was taken 22 years later, and he still sports it with pride!
17. It Takes Two
During his daughter’s wedding, this father halted the ceremony and ushered the girl’s stepfather up so they could both walk her down the aisle.
Stepfathers can often play an equally important role in the upbringing of a kid, and seeing this father recognize that is so touching.
18. Studying Up
This uploader explained that he purchased the board game Risk and told their father they wanted to play, the father having never played before. Later on, they arrived back home to see him studying battle plans and strategies, studying the game.
It’s always nice to see parents getting involved in their children’s interests. That being said, prepare to lose that game.
19. Going To The Movies
Clearly, these two were on their way to see a movie that the son was very excited about. The purest form of fatherly love is looking like a fool in public for your kid, I think. Anything for them, even dressing up as a minion.
20. “[My] Father made it for me as a high school graduation gift.”
Now this is a gift! You can tell the care he poured into this, and it’s something they’ll be able to use for ages. A real labor of love!
21. Worlds Apart
This Texas high school student’s father couldn’t make it into America for her graduation, so they met each other on the border bridge to share a moment and celebrate.
Not being able to see your child’s achievements must be tough, but knowing he’d still go all the way to see a fraction of it must mean the world to her.
22. A Christmas Surprise
Okay, so this dad isn’t doing this for his kids, but it’s still amazing.
As the uploader wrote, “My dad drives a special needs school bus. And this year he invited all the kids to his house to see Santa Claus. He also purchased gifts for all the kids for Santa to give them. This was the only picture I could get before the water works. I’m 27 years old and my dad is still taking me to school.”
23. “[Mermaid] and her mer-dad at disneyland.”
At least this way you can tell he’s having fun with his daughter, and looking fabulous while doing it!
24. No Event Missed
When this daughter couldn’t attend her graduation due to cancelations, her father built her a stage and hosted a mini-graduation at home so she’d still be able to have a ceremony. He knew it meant a lot to her, and she’s sure to remember this forever.
25. Learning Curve
The uploader of this photo created a “Dads and Daughters” class that helped fathers learn about doing their daughters’ hair. From braids to buns, they learned all the basics.
She wrote, “The turnout was great! I’m so proud of these dads for stepping up and building a better bond with their daughters.”
26. Creative Soul
This candid photo really tickles me. He’s letting his daughter express her creativity, both on his toenails and on the coffee table, while he gets to indulge in his hobbies too. Everyone’s happy!
27. A Lasting Memory
This girl’s father passed away from cancer when she was 16. Before he passed, he scheduled flower delivery for her birthday, this was the final one she got when she turned 21.
Part of the card reads, “Bailey, This is my last love letter to you until we meet again. I do not want you to shed another tear for me my Baby girl for I am in a better place. You are and will always be the most precious jewel I was given. […] I will still be with you for every milestone, just look around and there I will be.”
28. Finding The Strength
This boy’s father had brain tumors and was hospitalized before his graduation. He had been told he wouldn’t be able to make it for the ceremony, but on the day of he mustered up the strength to go, not willing to miss this milestone.
29. Creating A Whole World
This man’s grandchild asked him if he “[…] knew a wizard who could tell him where to find magic treasure.” In response, he created a magical journey for his children and grandchildren, making a map and hiding magic treasures around the property, creating an epic hunt!
30. Attention To Detail
“Told my step-dad I prefer the orange jelly beans, this morning I came in to him sorting them into a jar for me,” this user wrote, touched by the sorting work he decided to do in order to make them smile!
31. Pride And Joy
Alongside this photo, a single father who always had short hair shared how he’d been learning how to do different hairstyles for his daughter with the help of YouTube videos. That research paid off, as he was specifically proud of this plait he did!
32. All Dolled Up
Another dad putting in the effort to make his daughter feel beautiful! And clearly she’s grateful for it, look at that face!
33. In It Together
When this daughter shaved her head as she had to start chemotherapy again, her dad decided to join her in solidarity. Complete with her sphynx cat, they decided to take a “bald is beautiful” family portrait!
34. Nothing But The Best!
When this girl’s class was having a virtual fort night to celebrate the end of the school year, her dad made sure her fort was top notch. With the TV fireplace, she surely had the best fort of them all!
35. It’s The Thought That Counts
Good dads always try their best for their kids. As this person wrote, “My dad (who has no idea how to cook) knew I’d be in meetings all day so he woke up extra early and made me pancakes + coffee. They tasted awful but they were such a wonderful surprise and [I] love this man.”
36. He Wore A Skirt So His Son Could Feel More Comfortable
Nils Pickert is a dad who puts his money where his mouth is. He believes in gender equality but not just in the idealistic “we should be more flexible with gender roles” kind of equality.
“I’m not one of those academic daddies that ramble about gender equality during their studies and then, as soon as a child’s in the house, still relapse into those fluffy gender roles.”
He lives it with his son. The two lived in an open-minded part of Germany where Nils’ little boy was comfortable in a dress. When they moved to a smaller, more conservative town, the boy was met with mixed feelings and awkward looks. That’s when Nils started wearing a skirt. Father and son can be seen strolling around town like this.
37. “The best part about choosing to get clean and sober is getting to be a dad again to my beautiful daughters. They are my motivation to keep going.”
Seeing someone make this sort of dedication for the sake of their children is so, so sweet. It’s hard to do, but they’ll be so grateful, and you’ll be an incredible father for it!
38. Two Of A Kind
After his son, Gabriel Marshall, was diagnosed with cancer, Josh Marshall and the rest of the Marshall family was shocked. Childhood cancer is one of the hardest realities a family could face. The eight-year-old boy has anaplastic astrocytoma, a type of rare brain cancer. He needed a surgery that left this scar on his head.
As this is both a reminder of cancer and a distinctive feature few others share, the scar must have been hard for Gabriel to get used to. So that his son doesn’t feel alone, Josh got a tattoo identical to Gabriel’s scar.
39. Under The Sea
I know we already had a daddy-daughter mermaid duo earlier in this list, but these two somehow made it even more fabulous, and you can tell just how much fun the dad is having with it!
