Despite a little rain the event was a great success focusing on the dads and their kids. There were lots of fun activities for those who attended including a nature scavenger hunt, pond dipping activities, healthy BBQ, bird watching and face painting.

Daddy Bears Family Picnic in the beautiful Lough Neagh Discovery Centre

Pond Dipping Activities at the event

As it was Men’s Health Week there were also a range of health checks on offer. The theme of Men’s Health Week this year was ‘be your own action hero’ where men were encouraged to take action for themselves, to promote their own health and wellbeing, engage in community life and volunteering, re-enter education and to become more involved in family life. And there were lots of Action Heros at the event!

Health Checks on the Action Cancer Bus	Nature Scavenger Hunt

The day was about fun and family but on the eve of Father's Day, it also had a serious side, not only in relation to men's health but in promoting the importance and value of dads as a part of their children's and family life.

Some of the dads with their kids at the event

Diarmuid Moore, Assistant Director of the WEA said: "This is an important event bringing local fathers and their children together around a range of fun and healthy activities and helps to celebrate two important events for men. We want to mark Men's Health Week because we know that healthy fathers are more likely to have healthy children. We also want to celebrate fathers because fathers have a crucial influence on their child's development. Research shows that strong relationships between fathers and children are associated with higher levels of happiness, better health and reduced likelihood of criminal behaviour."

Hunting for mini-beasts!

Man Matters and the Loughshore Access Project want to encourage local men to live out the theme of Men's Health Week 2013 throughout the whole year which is: 'Take Action Men! – Turn Your Words into Actions'.

Face Painting	Chasing the Ducks!

Family Time at the event