DLTK's Holiday Crafts for Kids
Father's Day Crafts and Children's Activities

Welcome to DLTK's Crafts for Kids, a compilation of imaginative, fun, and educational crafts and activities designed especially for Father's Day celebrations. As a mom of two wonderful girls and wife to my amazing husband, Darren, I know the important role a father plays in a child's life. I believe in celebrating fatherhood and the incredible love fathers have for their children. This belief has always resonated with the saying,

Any man can be a Father,
but it takes someone special to be a DAD."

This highlights the exceptional bond of love, respect, and understanding that exists between a father and a child.

At our home, Father's Day is always a scene filled with warmth and love. There's an unparalleled joy in watching the special bond between Darren and our girls. The interactions are genuine, heartfelt, and incredibly touching. The day is accentuated by our girls' best behavior and Darren's complete presence with the family – no work distractions, no outdoor chores and ... lots of "dad jokes"!

Crafting has always been an integral part of our Father's Day tradition. We believe that handmade gifts from our girls carry a unique touch that surpasses the value of purchased goods. While we often complement these crafted presents with purchased items, the personal touch of the handmade crafts adds a memorable and cherished detail.



 

Father's Day Gift Idea - Babies and Toddlers

Toddlers can definitely participate in creating a heartfelt gift for Father's Day with a little assistance.

Handprint or Footprint Art: One of the most popular crafts with toddlers is to create handprint or footprint art. This could be a simple print on paper, a clay imprint, or a painted print on a T-shirt or mug. You can even turn these prints into animals or characters with a little bit of creativity.

Handprint Art on Canvas

toddler making handprint artMaterials:

Instructions:

  1. Make sure to cover your workspace with newspaper or a plastic sheet to protect it from any spills or paint splatter.
  2. Paint your toddler's hand with the non-toxic, washable paint. If your child is ticklish, this might cause some giggles!
  3. Press your toddler's painted hand onto the canvas. Make sure to press down each finger and the palm to get a full handprint. Lift the hand straight up to avoid smudging.
  4. Let the handprint dry completely. This could take a few hours, so plan accordingly.
  5. Once the handprint is dry, you or an older sibling can help turn the handprint into a character or animal, if desired. For example, a green handprint could become a turtle, a red one could become a ladybug, etc. Or, it can just be a beautiful, colorful handprint!
  6. Write your toddler's name and the date somewhere on the canvas with a permanent marker. This will be a lovely memento for dad to remember how small their hand once was.
  7. Be sure to thoroughly clean your toddler's hand with baby wipes or a damp cloth after the handprint is made.

This handprint art can serve as a beautiful piece of decor in your home, reminding dad of this special Father's Day gift from his beloved toddler.

 

Father's Day Gift Idea - Preschool

Creating a Father's Day gift with a preschooler can be a lot of fun and a great bonding experience. Here's a creative idea for a gift that any father would treasure:

"My Daddy and Me" Storybook: Help your preschooler to make a homemade storybook featuring all the fun activities they do with their dad. Here's how to do it:

preschooler making a pictureMaterials:

Instructions:

  1. Cut the construction paper or cardstock into equal-sized pages for your book.
  2. On each page, help your preschooler draw or glue a picture of an activity they love doing with their dad. This could be going to the park, reading bedtime stories, playing a game, etc. If you have photos of them doing these activities together, you could use these too.
  3. Underneath or beside each picture, write a sentence or two describing the activity. Encourage your preschooler to tell you what to write.
  4. Once you have finished all your pages, punch holes in the same spots on each page and tie them together with the ribbon or yarn to create a book.
  5. On the front page, write "My Daddy and Me" and decorate it.

This personalized storybook not only serves as a memorable gift but also becomes a keepsake that fathers can look back on fondly as their child grows up.

 

Father's Day Gift Idea - Kindergarten

father's day worksheetA Father's Day gift from a kindergartner can be a delightful blend of creativity and sentimentality. Here's a unique gift idea:

"All About My Dad" Interview and Portrait:

This activity is both fun and endearing. It will allow your kindergartner to think about their relationship with their dad and express their feelings creatively.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. On the top half of a piece of paper, ask your kindergartner to draw a portrait of their dad. They can use pencils, crayons, or markers, and should feel free to get as detailed as they'd like!
  2. On the bottom half of the paper, write out an interview about their dad. Ask your kindergartner a series of questions and write down their responses. Questions could include: What is Dad's favorite food? What does Dad do for work? What's your favorite thing to do with Dad? What is something funny that Dad does? What do you love most about Dad?
  3. After the portrait is done and the interview questions are filled out, you can decide together how to present the gift. You might simply roll it up and tie it with a ribbon, place it in a binder with other memorable artwork or writings, or even frame it.

This "All About My Dad" Interview and Portrait not only serves as a wonderful Father's Day gift, but it also creates a timeless memento that can be cherished for years to come. It provides a snapshot of your kindergartner's perception of their dad at this age, which can be incredibly heartwarming to look back on.

 

Father's Day Gift Idea - Grade School

For a grade school child who's starting to become more independent and develop their own unique interests and abilities, Father's Day is a wonderful opportunity to create a gift that reflects their growing skills. Here's an idea:

DIY Coupon Book

grade one girl making coupon book imagesA DIY coupon book is a fun and personal gift that children can customize based on the things they know their dad loves.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Create a picture on a large sheet of construction paper or white paper. Use lots of bright colors -- doodles or abstract art works great for this project.
  2. Cut the decorated paper into equal-sized rectangles. These will become the pages of your coupon book.
  3. On the undecorated side of each page, write a different "coupon" for something special that your child can do for their dad. This could be something like "Good for one car wash," "Redeem for a backyard picnic prepared by me," or "Free hug on demand." Encourage your child to think about what their dad enjoys or things that would make his day easier or more fun.
  4. Once all the coupons have been written, stack the pages together and either staple them on one side to create a book, or punch a hole in one corner and tie them together with a ribbon.
  5. Decorate the cover of the coupon book with the title, "Dad's Coupon Book," and let your child add any additional artwork or decorations they'd like.

This gift not only provides something tangible that dad can enjoy, but also promises future experiences and memories to be shared between father and child. It's a meaningful gesture that shows thought, effort, and the anticipation of spending quality time together.

 

Father's Day Gift Idea - Pre Teens

Pre-teens have a greater degree of autonomy and can take on more complex projects. They may also have developed specific interests or hobbies, which could be incorporated into a Father's Day gift. Here's a thoughtful idea:

DIY Personalized Keychain

decorated leather keychain upcycled from an old beltMaterials:

Instructions:

  1. decorated leather keychains upcycled from an old beltCut the leather or fabric into a strip about 1 inch wide and 5-6 inches long.
  2. Use the hole puncher to punch a hole at one end of the strip. If you're using fabric, you can just cut a small hole with scissors.
  3. Thread the strip through the keychain ring, making sure it's secure.
  4. Now comes the creative part. Use the fabric paint or permanent markers to personalize the keychain. Your pre-teen could write a special message like "Best Dad Ever" or "Love You Dad". They could also draw a simple design or pattern. If your pre-teen is interested in art, this could be a great opportunity for them to showcase their talent.
  5. Once the paint or ink is dry, use the super glue or fabric glue to seal the end of the strip to the back, just below the keychain ring, so it forms a loop around the ring.
  6. Let the keychain dry overnight to make sure it's secure.
  7. They also make nice bookmarks if you thread a ribbon through instead of a keychain ring.

This personalized keychain not only serves as a practical gift but is also a sweet reminder of your pre-teen's love for their dad every time he uses his keys. Plus, it's a fun crafting project for your pre-teen to express their creativity.

 

Father's Day Gift Ideas - Teenagers

Teenagers often have more advanced skills and a deeper understanding of their father's tastes and interests, which can be used to create a truly personalized Father's Day gift. Here's an idea:

DIY Personalized Playlist and Speaker

playlist for dadIf your teenager is into music, they can create a personalized playlist for their father. This could be a list of songs that they enjoy together, songs that remind them of their dad, or even songs from their dad's favorite bands or musicians. They can then write a heartfelt note explaining why they chose each song, adding a deeply personal touch to the gift.

To pair with the playlist, they could also design and create a DIY speaker. Here's a simple way to make one:

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Make sure the Pringles can is clean and dry.
  2. Paint the outside of the can with craft paint. Encourage your teen to be creative and make a design that their dad would love.
  3. Once the paint is dry, use the X-Acto knife to cut a slot near the bottom of the can that's just big enough for a smartphone to fit into. Make sure to do this step safely and supervise or assist if necessary.
  4. Let the can dry completely before use.

To use the speaker, simply insert the smartphone into the slot with the music playing. The sound will amplify through the Pringles can, acting as a speaker.

This gift not only involves creativity and thoughtfulness but also shares the teenager's personal taste with their father, fostering a deeper connection between them. Plus, they'll be able to enjoy listening to the playlist together, whether it's at home, in the car, or during a Father's Day celebration.

 

History of Father's Day

watercolor of dad and kidsFather's Day, celebrated on the third Sunday in June in many countries, is a day dedicated to honoring and celebrating fatherhood and paternal bonds. The history of Father's Day dates back to the early 20th century in the United States, though it took many years for the holiday to gain official recognition.

The idea of Father's Day was first conceived by Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, who was raised by her father after her mother's death during childbirth. While listening to a sermon at church on Mother's Day in 1909, Dodd thought about all her father had done for her and her siblings and decided that fathers should have a day, too. She wanted Father's Day to be celebrated on the first Sunday in June, which was her father's birthday, but the first celebration in Spokane, Washington was postponed until the third Sunday of June 1910.

Despite initial support, the idea of a national Father's Day did not catch on immediately. The holiday gained sporadic popularity throughout the United States in the following decades, but it was not until 1966 when President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers, designating the third Sunday in June as Father's Day. Finally, in 1972, President Richard Nixon signed a law declaring that Father's Day would be celebrated annually on the third Sunday in June, making it a national holiday at last.

The specific customs and traditions of Father's Day vary across cultures and countries, but generally, the day is marked by giving gifts to fathers and spending time with them.

 

Farewell and Happy Father's Day!

Each of these activities brings its own charm to our Father's Day celebrations. Whether it's coloring pages, games, puzzles, or homemade recipes, every aspect contributes to a memorable day of appreciation and love for Darren, an incredible father to our girls. So dive in, explore, and find the perfect way to celebrate the amazing father in your life.

Happy Father's Day!
Leanne