Discounts and days out for Father's Day

With Father's Day fast approaching, all the dad of our house wants is the chance for an uninterrupted snooze on the sofa. Alas for him, the children have composed a tribute song and intend to bellow it at full volume ("Daaaaad! You're not half baaaaad! We love you Daaaaad! etc). So he may need to leave the house to have any chance of relaxation.

For those of you who fancy treating the man of the house a little more, here's some ideas and special events I hope he'll love. 

Save money on any gift

Lovely gifts website Find Me a Gift have got a special offer exclusively for Ready for Ten readers. Use the code READYFORTEN from 14th - 27th June when you place an order of £25 or over, and you'll get free postage. Here's their Father's Day selection. I will be placing a bulk order of Angry Birds merchandise.

All dad needs to know

Former Ready for Ten writer Tim Atkinson has just seen his expert guide to dadness called Fatherhood: The Essential Guide published. It's on special offer at Amazon right now with 30% off. Look out for Tim on the web this week as he's launched a fatherhood festival via blogs, Twitter and everywhere you care to look - all in praise of what it is to be a dad.

A multicultural gift

Color Blind Cards is a complany specialising in multicultural cards and gifts, with products featuring children and adults of all races. Their special offer for Father's Day is: For all orders of £10 or over, use code FD1 to get £15% off your order

Free music concert in Surrey

On Sunday from 3pm to 5pm Farnham’s 17-piece Big Band jazz orchestra brings together local musicians to play a wide range of big band music.  This is part of a series of free outdoor concerts called Music in the Meadow. Find all the details and download the leaflet here.

Time for a family fight?

If you're looking for a physical activity with a difference, Scotland's first urban combat arena has opened in Lanarkshire.  The fast-moving game is played in an outdoor arena over 2,500 square metres. Camouflaged players dodge in and out of reclaimed shipping containers which are rigged up to resemble a battle-torn city. Prices start from £22 for a two-hour session which includes a 30-minute briefing and about six missions over 90 minutes, played out in the arena wearing all the gear (a camouflage suit, bush hat and heavy weapon). An introductory price of £20 per head is on offer to Youth Groups all summer. More details on the website here. Suitable for age 8 to adult.

Historical days out

English Heritage has a full range of events planned over Father’s Day weekend (18 and 19 June). Highlights include: 

• The exciting Grand Medieval Joust at Eltham Palace, complete with fighting knights on horseback charging into jousting matches with each other at great speed
• An explosive firepower event at Pendennis Castle
• Classic car days at Audley End and Brodsworth Hall
• Chester's Roman Fort is due to be transformed into an adventure site for a Dad's Roman Army event

Steam Railway Father's Day Specials on the Isle of Wight
 

Steam Trains have just got Dad written all over them, haven't they? Your Dad, whatever his age, will enjoy a day out at the IWSR. Whether it’s reminiscing about travelling on steam trains as a boy, checking out all the engineering, or maybe he’s secretly always dreamt of being a train driver. All dads travelling on the train will receive a free gift and the railway’s refreshment rooms will be open all day for meals and refreshments. See the website for more details

Hot Rod & Custom Drive-In Day, Beaulieu, Hampshire
 

Be part of the biggest and best Hot Rod and Custom Car Show in the South. Bring your Hot Rod, Custom, Classic American or Chops & Bobbers and soak up the atmosphere alongside the hundreds of vehicles on display. You can bring the family down and enjoy the event this Father's Day. The line up for the Drive-In Day includes hundreds of vehicles on show, live music, demonstrations, prize giving and clothing stands, Americana memorabilia, and merchandise. Gates open 8am for show cars. Show opens 10am to the public. More info from here