Father’s Day Craft Ideas
You’re the Best Dad I Ever Saw
Materials Needed:
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Cardboard
Scissors
Picture of child
String
Markers and/or Paint
Instructions:
Cut the cardboard into the shape of a hand saw, about 12-18 inches long. Decorate/paint as desired.
Glue a picture of child onto the saw and write, "You're the best Dad I ever SAW!" Punch holes in the
top corners of the saw and use a string to hang.
Chip Off the Old Block
Instructions:
I got out the saw and cut myself four blocks of wood from an old 2x4 headed for the fireplace. They
ended up being more of a rectangular shape. Then I sanded them. With a screwdriver and hammer I
chipped a corner off. I'm going to put a coat of clear varnish on them. When they are dry I will write
on one side, "Just a chip off the old block". On the other side I'm going to glue a picture of the child.
I'm going to write the child’s name on the "chip" and glue it on the top. Have the children decorate the
block special for Dad!
Daddy’s Caddy
Find out how you can make this great tool caddy out of a coffee can. This would be a perfect gift for
dad or any special guy.
Materials Needed:
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Coffee can (or any large can with lid)
Magazines and/or Catalogs
Markers or alphabet stickers
Decoupage medium or diluted glue
Scissors
Instructions:
First of all, make sure any can you use is clean and dry. Page through magazines and catalogs and cut
or tear out pictures of tools or anything else your dad will like. You can also use fancy, printed paper
or photo copies of graphics you print off of your computer. Glue the pictures you chose all over the
can. Cover the entire can. Use a marker or stickers to write a special message on your caddy, such as
'Daddy's Caddy'.
Once you have the can looking exactly how you want it, you can seal the design to protect it. To do
this, simply use decoupage medium or diluted glue. Let the decoupage dry completely and then your
can is done!
Dad Survival Kit
Materials Neeed:
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small box
magazines
scissors
glue
pencils
crayons
paper
envelope
string
contact paper
assorted goodies
Instructions:
1. Decorate a small box with a picture collage from magazines or drawings and secure it
with clear contact paper.
2. What goes inside? What does Dad need to remember that you are thinking of him?
(you can add an item with an explanation such as: A clock - thank you for always
finding time for me, Smarties - to thank you for all your advice, Battery- to thank you
for all the times you never gave up, you kept going and going, Crayons - to thank you
for your sunny outlook, for brightening my days and ALWAYS warming my heart,
Candle - thank you for being my “guiding light”, Smile face sticker - to wish you
happy days always, Tea Bag - so you can sit back and relax once in a while etc.
o Dad needs a photo of you, maybe surrounded by a homemade frame.
o He'll need a paper heart to remind him you care.
o A Band-aid in case he needs some TLC
o A Quarter or a Phone card so he can call home. (or ride the pony at the store)
o A homemade ID card with your fingerprints on it so he knows what kid he
belongs to.
o A drawing of you and him eating Mom's cookies together or some other
activity you share.
o A piece of paper, and a stamped, addressed envelope, to mail you a letter
o A Hershey's kiss (or a lipstick print on paper)
o A personal item such as a rock, if you and dad like to collect them or a fish
hook taped to a card...
o A cassette tape, with you telling dad a bedtime story.
o An I love you dad note in your best printing.
o A tracing of your handprint with a piece of string glued around one of the
fingers, and words that say "Don't forget, I'm thinking of you"
o One of your small toys, like a small action figure or doll. So he can think
about playing with you.
o Things you can never find when you need them, a rubber band, a paper clip, a
thumb tack, a safety pin...
3. Put everything inside the box, tie the box shut with a ribbon or a piece of yarn and
label it "Dad's survival kit"
4. You may want to put your dad's name on it if he's going to be around a lot of other
people called Dad too.
**This is an excellent way for young children to express what they feel dad needs from them
and by decorating the box on the outside; it becomes a special piece of artwork from the
heart.
Footprint T-Shirt
Instructions:
This home-made t-shirt was a hit with Dad on Father's Day, although this would also make a great gift
for mom. Change the wording a bit and it is great for anyone!
I simply had my kids step into a shallow dish with fabric paint in it (each kid had a different color)
and then step on the t-shirt. Once the footprints were dry, I used black fabric paint and wrote "My
Kids Walk All Over Me".
Hugs Box
Materials Needed:
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Small Box
Tissue Paper
Glue
Paper
Ribbon
Instructions:
Cut many approximately 2 inch x 2 inch squares from the tissue paper. Cut out plenty because you
will be covering the whole box!
Water down the glue - 2 parts glue to 1 part water. Lightly brush some glue on the box and stick on
the tissue paper squares you cut out. You want them to overlap so you do not see the box. Work in
small sections until the entire box is covered. Set aside to dry.
Once the box is dry, you can lightly brush over your box with the glue and water mixture to make it
more durable and shiny; however this is optional.
Once dry, tie with curly ribbon as you would a wrapped present and attached a gift tag which reads...
This is a very special gift
That you can never see
The reason it's so special is
It's just for you from me.
Whenever you are lonely
Or are ever feeling blue
You only have to hold this gift
And know I'm hugging you.
You never can unwrap it
Please leave the ribbon tied
Just hold the box close to your heart
It's filled with hugs inside.
Alternatively: Especially since it is not intended for the box to ever be opened, you could also use
wrapping paper and tape to wrap an empty box.
Family Marble Magnets
Materials Needed:
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Photographs of family members
Flat backed clear marbles
Round magnets
White craft glue
Scissors Ribbon
Instructions:
1. Choose photos that have family members smiling and their faces will fit inside the marble.
Place the marble onto the photo to gauge the size. This is great for using snapshots that don’t
have very good framing or are otherwise not frame worthy.
2. Once you have decided on a photo, place marble over face and trace around with a pen.
3. Cut the face out inside the trace line.
4. Use your fingers to smear a thin layer of white glue onto the flat back of the marble.
5. Press the marble gently down onto the cut out photo face. Allow to dry.
6. Glue a magnet to the back and let dry.
Rock Family Plaque
This adorable craft is so easy and looks marvelous sitting on a shelf or on Dad’s desk. A great gift for
Father’s Day!
Materials Needed:
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Wood plaque
Rocks – one for each family member
Wiggle eyes – two for each rock
Black acrylic paint
Acrylic sealer spray
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Paintbrush
White craft glue
Label maker or silver paint and a black marker
Instructions:
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Paint the wood plaque with a coat of black paint and let dry.
Wash the rocks and let them dry.
Pain a second coat of black paint on the plaque and let dry.
Have an adult spay the plaque with a coat of acrylic sealer spray. Let dry.
Position rocks on the table and find the “resting spot” so that they will sit solidly on your
plaque.
Glue wiggle eyes on to the rocks, using a generous amount of glue. The glue will dry clear.
Let dry.
Position the rocks on the plaque, then add a generous amount of white glue to the bottom of
each rock and gently press onto the plaque. Let dry completely.
Use a label maker to create your family name. If you don’t have a label maker, paint a strip on
the plaque with silver paint. Let dry completely.
When strip is dry, use a black marker to write your family name.
Car Nut Frame
Materials Needed:
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Small wooden frame
Black acrylic paint
Washers and bolts
Hot glue gun
Photograph
Instructions:
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Remove glass from frame.
Paint frame black and let dry.
Use hot glue gun to attach washers and bolts to the outside of the frame.
Insert a photo and the glass into the frame.
Daddy and Me Coffee Mug
Materials Needed:
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White coffee mug
Enamel paints – black, red, blue, pink
Thin pointed paint brush
Instructions:
1. Be sure that coffee mug is clean and dry.
2. Use child’s thumb and red enamel paint to add the “daddy” figure on the mug. You can make
the figure larger if it looks too small.
3. Use blue paint (or pink for a girl) and pointing finger to add the child on the mug.
4. Use a thin paint brush to draw on legs and arms, connected arms between characters so they
are holding hands.
5. Use thin paintbrush to add the hair.
6. Use thin paintbrush to write “Daddy” above the characters and “& me” below the characters.
7. Bake mug in the oven as directed on the back of the enamel paint bottle.
Photo Coaster
A fun craft which makes use of unwanted CDs, these photo coasters are a brilliant gift idea for all
occasions! Perfect for Father's Day, Mother's Day, grandparents or even teachers. Perhaps you
could make one for each member of the family?
Materials Needed:
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Unwanted CD, CD-Rom or DVD
Large photo
PVA glue (white glue)
Pens
Acrylic varnish (optional)
Print out a photo onto standard printer paper large enough to cover your disc. Glue the photo to the
disc (the side with the picture or writing on) making sure the central image is in the centre of the disc.
When dry trim to size and add a message with the pens.
To seal, paint over the image and the edges with PVA glue and leave to dry. Repeat. If you wish you
can make your coaster extra-hardwearing by using acrylic varnish rather than PVA glue.
Craft an Apron for Dad
If Dad likes to BBQ, make him a special apron. Trace shapes of a hamburger, ketchup and mustard
bottles, and other grilling accessories onto felt squares. Cut out the shapes and attach them to the
apron using craft glue.
Sources:
http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/
http://www.bhg.com/crafts/kids/
http://familycrafts.about.com/
http://crafts.kaboose.com/
http://www.kinderart.com/seasons/father3.shtml
http://www.sawyers-specialties.com/survival-kits/