Father's Day gift ideas for the rad dad in your life!

Posted by Elizabeth Bacher

Looking for the perfect way to honor that rad dad or fabulous father figure in your life? We have a few ideas to spark joy for Father’s Day—coming up June 19.

Xerxes was a wonderful father to his cubs. Photo: Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo

Share a unique experience with Critter Connections* Each experience (20-25 minutes in total) features three of our ambassador animals for you to meet and greet. Whether it’s one of our furry mammals, a fine feathered friend or a rascally reptile, each one of our animals has a personality all their own and each can teach us something to help save wildlife. Plus, you can’t beat this unique photo-op and selfie opportunity! https://www.zoo.org/critterconnections

Surprise him with tickets to Whiskey & WildBites* Experience Woodland Park Zoo after-hours while enjoying delicious cuisine prepared by more than a dozen of Seattle’s premiere chefs paired with several of the finest whiskey tastings this area has to offer. This adults-only event is inspired by the zoo’s mission to save species and each ticket sold raises funds to help save wildlife in the Pacific Northwest and around the world. https://www.zoo.org/whiskeywildbites

Take a walk amongst the butterflies! After two years of being closed due to Covid restrictions, you can once again walk through our beautiful, covered garden while butterflies flutter all around you! Molbak’s Butterfly Garden is home to hundreds of free-flying butterflies representing species from North America. Free with zoo admission. https://www.zoo.org/butterflygarden

Honor his love of animals! Give a meaningful gift that saves wildlife and touches Dad’s heart! You can make a donation in his name to support animal care, wildlife conservation, and education! Visit www.zoo.org/donate to learn more.

Get inspired with a visit to ZooStore! Would he like a “Papa Bear” t-shirt, some snow leopard socks or a new re-usable water bottle for those hikes? We got you! Stop by the ZooStore at either of our entrances during normal business hours to shop for conservation-inspired gifts for all the dads in your life. Can't make it to the zoo? No problem. Many of our ZooStore items are available to purchase online, too. Check it out at https://zoostore.zoo.org/.

The gift of time together. A Woodland Park Zoo membership helps save wildlife and grants unlimited admission for one year. It’s a wonderful way to say, “let's spend time together and share our love for animals”. Get all the deets at https://www.zoo.org/membership.

An eco-friendly gift he can use in a variety of ways! Did you know that more than 2 billion plastic cards are thrown out a year? Be sustainable and help prevent plastic waste by buying an e-gift card! They can be used for a zoo membership, daily admission, at the ZooStore and select food locations. Plus, gift cards never expire. https://www.zoo.org/giftcard

An addition to the family—the gift of an animal adoption! Becoming a ZooParent helps support the care of all the amazing animals at Woodland Park Zoo and it makes a difference for wildlife, too! Whether Dad is giddy for gorillas, crazy for komodos or smitten with small-clawed otters, you’ll find the perfect pal for him here: https://www.zoo.org/zooparent/adoption

Silverback, Kwame is the leader of his group, seen here with young son Kitoko and female Yola. Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo

Happy Father's Day to all the amazing dads, honorary dads and father figures out there!

*These are separately-ticketed experiences—not included with general admission.