June 13, 2022&mdash;Don't look now, but it's almost Father's Day. What will you get the world's greatest guy this year?

A coffee mug? A long-handled backscratcher? Another T-shirt? Here's a different idea: Give him a Father's Day gift that will inspire or support his healthy lifestyle. Try these ideas from the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.netreturns.biz/healthinfo/bouncelink.aspx?shortcut=aha">American Heart Association</a> and other health experts.

The gift of time

The one thing Dad probably craves most? Time with you. Here are a few ways to make it active and fun:

Have a ball. Hit a baseball diamond, golf course or soccer pitch together. Or just toss or kick a ball in the backyard&mdash;he probably misses that!

Take a family picnic to the park. Follow up with a volleyball match, and let Dad be a team captain.

Plan a day hike. Explore a forest or park near you.

Wheel away. Go on a bike ride through the neighborhood&mdash;or to a fun destination.

Help around the house. Work on Father's Day? Sure! Dad might love some help with his to-do list. You could clean the garage together. Plant a garden. Or tackle a painting project. Put some effort into it, and it's basically exercise.

A day at a gym. Some gyms offer one-day passes. Take a fitness class with your dad. Or use the pool or the handball courts.

Give your support. Is your dad trying to quit smoking? Lose weight? Manage a chronic disease? Even if you can't cheer him on in person, call and let him know you support his healthy goal.

Prefer something you can wrap?

These store-bought solutions also make healthy Father's Day gifts Dad will love:

Fitness gear. Think exercise-friendly gifts like:
<ul>
 <li>A golf club (or a set).</li>
 <li>A small backpack for day hikes.</li>
 <li>A water bottle.</li>
 <li>Workout clothes.</li>
 <li>A gym bag.</li>
 <li>Exercise equipment, such as resistance bands or hand weights.</li>
 <li>Earbuds, headphones or music so Dad can sweat to his favorite songs.</li>
</ul>

A wellness basket. Fill a decorative gift basket or bag with a Father's Day card and a mix of healthy foods. For instance:
<ul>
 <li>Gourmet treats, such as whole-wheat pasta and bread, a bottle of heart-healthy olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.</li>
 <li>Colorful fruits. Maybe include something exotic that Dad may not have tried before, like a beautiful dragon fruit.</li>
 <li>Fresh herbs, such as basil and oregano.</li>
 <li>Unsalted nuts.</li>
</ul>

Kitchen gadgets. Is Dad the top chef at home? Give him things that will make healthy cooking a breeze, like a veggie steamer, a nonstick saut&eacute; pan or a smoothie blender.

A cookbook or two. Go for ones packed with healthy recipes and sound nutrition advice. Or choose one that focuses on a health goal, like heart-healthy or diabetes-friendly eating.

Gifts like these say, "I care about you&mdash;and want you around for years to come."

Father's Day: Check out these healthy gift ideas

Sunday is Father’s Day! Check out these budget-friendly ways to celebrate—and help Dad stay healthy.