We know how dads are.
Tell a dad there's a free scoop of ice cream on the line, and he'll shrug. Tell him it's a challenge — that other dads are doing it, that there are three tiers, that he can redeem a prize if he wins — and suddenly he's interested.
That's exactly what we were counting on.
This Father's Day week, we set up three challenges for every dad who walked into Naru. Pick one or pick all three, entirely up to you. The freebies were real — but let's be honest, that was never really the point.
Tier 1: Rocket Ship.
Throw your kid high in the air three times. Make them giggle or laugh. Win a scoop of ice cream.
This one came from Jordan. He does this during swimming class, and the laugh that comes out of him — deep, uncontrollable, the kind that takes over his whole body — I wanted every kid in that room to make that sound. And I knew every dad would absolutely not let himself fail a challenge this straightforward.
Tier 2: I Love You.
Get your child to say I love you five times in a row. Win a drink.
Some kids say it more easily to mum than to dad. Jordan is one of them. So I thought — let's make it a challenge. Because if there's one thing that will make a dad try harder, it's knowing there's a score to beat.
Tier 3: Phone Away.
Lock your phone in a container for 30 minutes. Win a hot snack.
My husband knew exactly why this one made the list. He didn't even ask. He didn't even argue.
And then the week happened.
Every single kid on the rocket ship giggled. Every. Single. One. There is something about being thrown into the air by your dad — the height, the trust, the absolute certainty that you will be caught — that produces a laugh nothing else can. Dads were winning their ice cream. Kids were losing their minds with joy.
Nobody was keeping score. Everyone was winning.
Then there was the I love you challenge.
A boy said it five times to his dad. And when he was done, his dad didn't say anything. He just leaned over and kissed his son on the head.
Many of us grew up in traditional Chinese families where love lives in actions, not words. Saying I love you out loud — especially to your own dad, and especially if you're a boy — can feel uncomfortable. Exposed. But that boy said it five times, and his dad answered with a kiss on the head. No awkwardness could touch what was underneath that.
To the mums who witnessed moments like this — we see you tearing up in the corner. You're welcome.
And to that boy — we hope when you're all grown up, it still comes just as easily.
Then there was the dad who did the phone challenge.
He locked his phone away. And instead of hovering awkwardly near the container, he just… had lunch with his daughter. Talking. Present. Completely unbothered — like this was just a regular day for them.
We think it probably was.
He still got the nori fries. He earned them just by being exactly who he already is.
Dads, here's the thing.
You probably didn't come to Naru that week for the ice cream, or the drink, or the hot snack. But we'd like to think you went home with something better — a giggle you'll remember, a moment that sat quietly in your chest, a kiss on a small head that meant more than you let on.
The freebies were just the excuse.
The memories? Those are on us.
Dads, you're welcome. 💚
Happy Father's Day 2026.
Ru
Co-founder, Naru Play Café
To every dad who threw, hugged, or put the phone down that week — we saw you.