Ditch the hardware voucher, here’s a gift that will actually surprise dad

Dads are difficult to buy for. You can only give hardware vouchers, socks, and ties so many times for Father's Day. So this year, instead of gifting dad the predictable, why not surprise him with a present that keeps on giving?

The Gift of Learning

For millions of children around the world, this time has been a period of disruption.

Education is the right of every child, yet globally millions of children are not in school due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

For Sebya, this year has been about finding ways to keep his children, Mady and Harouna, learning from home. As their home country, Mali, went into lockdown Sebya is working hard to keep his daughters learning and having fun while stuck inside.

Seyba, a professional photographer, is a father of 2 children, Mady, 6, and Harouna, 2, © UNICEF/UNI322411/Camara

"Now that I spend more time at home, I do learning activities with my children, for example I read books to them every night before going to bed. I especially don't want my daughter to lose what she already [learnt] at preschool."

While stuck at home Sebya is also appreciating the simple moments with his family. "I am helping my wife [with the] cooking and our kids love those moments.”

As millions of children have their education interrupted, we are all learning just how important parents are to their child’s development. Just 5 minutes of play can light up a child’s brain like nothing else.

But many dads around the world do not have access to books or toys, making supporting their child's learning and development through COVID that much harder.

Be a super gift giver this Father’s Day. Help another dad give his little ones the best possible start in life with a Father’s Day 'Play & Learn Super Pack'.

Give the gift of learning

Lockdown has meant that Sebya and his family have spent more time together, "This time I am helping my wife cooking and our kids love those moments. Another face of this crisis, I think is the complicity between us and our family and the key role each parent can play for the joy and happiness of children" Sebya says. © UNICEF/UNI322398/Camara

The Gift of Play

In the middle of war zones and refugee camps, UNICEF helps create one of the most special things: a safe place for children to play.

Soccer balls are so much more than a toy for children who have fled crisis, violence and torture. Playing can help free a child from trauma and helps them find regularity amongst the chaos. It is also a way for children to make friends and rebuild from incredible loss.

The heavy rain and flooded ground is no deterrence for these children when it comes to playing soccer in the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.

Give the gift of play

A boy plays soccer in flooded waters in Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh. © UNICEF/UN0205641/Sokol

UNICEF and partners are working around the clock to provide for the needs of the refugee children who are all the more vulnerable due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. These children deserve our help.

You can help keep a child learning and playing through crisis by purchasing a Father’s Day 'Play & Learn Super Pack'.

Each pack contains 100 pencils, 30 exercise books, five balls, two skipping ropes and a UNICEF backpack

Give the gift of play

A group of boys play soccer in flooded waters in Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh. © UNICEF/UN0205639/Sokol

A Father’s Day gift with a Wiggly seal of approval

A few simple items like exercise books and soccer balls can help facilitate the kind of play that builds a child's brain.

But in many countries, it’s not so easy for dads to buy books, toys and games for their little ones. That's why UNICEF (and the Wiggles!) are asking Australians to give their dads a gift that will help other dads around the world bond with their young children.

This year be a super gift giver and ditch the hardware voucher to support another dad to help his little ones play, learn and grow. For every child, the best start in life.

Here’s how it works

Purchase a Father's Day Play & Learn Pack. Each one contains 100 pencils, 30 exercise books, five balls, two skipping ropes and a UNICEF backpack to help send children on a lifelong journey of learning and fun.
We’ll send a personalised card to your Dad telling him about the life-saving impact he’s making.
Real pencils, exercise books, skipping ropes, and soccer balls will be dispatched from a UNICEF warehouse by car, boat or foot to wherever they're most needed.

There's no better way to show your dad how much you appreciate everything he's done to keep you happy, safe and protected. Buy one instantly to make Dad’s day and forever change the lives of vulnerable children.

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