We Cancelled “Daddy Daycare” — and Hundreds of Families Showed Up

At Dad La Soul, we like to think big. We’re a community of dads from all walks of life, creating spaces to play, talk, create, and support one another.

We’re breaking away from outdated stereotypes — the nonsense that dads aren’t involved in childcare — and we’re working to provide safe spaces for men to open up about their feelings (something society insists they don’t do).

So, when Father’s Day weekend came around, we didn’t want to feed the tired assumption that dad’s happy with a tin of bitter and a hastily signed petrol station card. We wanted to create the UK’s biggest ever dad-friendly playdate — a day where fathers and their children could show up, meet other families, and enjoy a massive range of activities and performances.

This wasn’t about “giving mum the morning off”. It certainly wasn’t dads “babysitting” their own children. This was active, collaborative, meaningful parent–child time. The concept of “Daddy Daycare”? It’s time we binned it — for good.

Dreaming Big, Delivering Bigger

This ambitious idea needed an equally bold venue — and we found it in The Terrace, Brighton & Hove Albion FC’s Premier League fan zone, the largest in the country.

We filled it with live bands, DJs, Nerf wars, VR, soft play, stand-up comedy, crafting stations, mental health check-ins, and even the Dad Olympics. Three hours of full-fat, no-fluff joy.

But let’s be honest — pulling it off was no small feat.

It nearly broke our founder, Dan. Six weeks of late nights. No weekends. Missed bedtimes. He was running on fumes and takeaways, fuelled by passion (and panic) to bring it all together.

But it was worth it. Every second. Every stress. Every step. Because this wasn’t just a playdate.

This was a revolution.

A Celebration of All Dads

Dads, grandads, stepdads, foster carers, LGBTQ+ families, SEND families, first-time dads, long-time dads — everyone was welcome, everyone was seen, and everyone was celebrated.

Working with Brighton & Hove Albion had been a long-held dream. We love what they stand for in terms of community connection — and it was just a matter of finding the right event to make that partnership sing.

Dad La Soul Presents: The Terrace Sessions – Live & Loud was that event.

To take over that iconic space with buggies, breakbeats, and baby slings? It still hasn’t fully sunk in.

To see our logo and videos emblazoned on those huge screens, to have our dads run free in that incredible space — it was magic.

We filled that fanzone with love, laughter, mess, joy — and, above all, connection.

Powered by Community

This only happened because of one thing: community. That’s what Dad La Soul does best.

Thankfully, Dan has the kind of black book where he can call a mate and say, “I’ve got a mad idea…” and they say, “I’m in.”

But behind the DJ decks, soft play mats, and dance workshops lies something deeply serious:

• 1 in 3 dads say they feel lonely most of the time.

• Over 84 men take their lives every week in the UK.

• Some of them are dads who just needed to feel seen.

So we built a space where they could be.

This is what happens when dads are given the space to show up — and they did. The feedback speaks volumes:

Saheran said:

“What you created wasn’t just an event — it was a bold, joyful, and much-needed statement about fatherhood, community, and connection. The scale, the heart, the inclusivity — it all matters so much, especially when we know how many dads feel unseen and isolated. Turning a fanzone into a space of love, chaos, and belonging is the kind of cultural shift we need more of. Hats off to you and everyone behind Dad La Soul for proving that when dads are given the space, they show up — and they thrive.”

Jonathan commented:

“My toddler loved it, and I spent the whole time thinking, ‘Wow, this must have taken some serious planning.’ It was incredible.”

Tom shared:

“The screens were epic (inside and out). My son — who’s recently been diagnosed as autistic — was fascinated by how the screens work and what dimensions a graphic designer would use. That’s what we were chatting about this morning, haha.”

Mark stated:

“There is no limit to what communities can achieve. I think you’re demonstrating that.”

This Is Why Dad La Soul Exists

We started as one lonely blog post, and now we’re here — the UK’s biggest dad-friendly event.

We’re lighting up stadiums. And we’re not done yet.

Who’s with us?

Find out more at www.dadlasoul.com

A huge thank you to every incredible individual who helped make this happen. You’ve proven what’s possible when community comes first.