Do-it-yourself Father’s Day gifts are all well and good. But if you’re the one slaving away with the hot glue gun and hammer, a gift that’s supposed to be from your kids may be less meaningful. Get the kids in on the action — regardless of their age — with these creative Father’s Day gifts they can make (at least mostly) on their own.
Gifts From Babies
With some assistance, even babies can “help” make a great gift for a new dad. Footprint and handprint gifts are especially meaningful at this age.
— Handprint Mug. One great option is to put a handprint or footprint on an extra-large mug. You can buy specialized ceramic paints and a special sealer for a plain ceramic mug to make the print last. Note that some sealers require baking, and most aren’t dishwasher safe. Be sure to read the directions when making this gift.
— Fingerprint Keychain. A DIY fingerprint keychain is a unique gift that will last a lifetime. To make one, simply form a keychain out of clay. Press your baby’s finger (or two fingers at an angle to make a heart) into the clay. Poke a hole in the top for a key ring to go through. Bake according to the package directions.
Gifts From Toddlers and Preschoolers
— All About Dad. Kid-focused questionnaires are all the rage on the blogosphere these days — and with good reason! You just never know what toddlers and preschoolers are going to say. One excellent Father’s Day gift is a printable questionnaire (like this one). It couldn’t be an easier gift. Just print the questionnaire, ask your child the questions and fill in his or her answers verbatim.
— Fingerpaint Canvas. Even toddlers can create cool art with a bit of help. For this project you’ll need a canvas, stickers and acrylic paints. With the stickers, spell out a word, phrase or verse on the canvas. Then, have your child fingerpaint over the stickers, painting over the whole canvas. When the paint dries, peel off the stickers to reveal a loving message for dad.
Gifts From Elementary School Kids and Older
Older kids can do some of the next projects on their own, though some may need more assistance. Here are a few ideas for kids ages 6 and up.
— Stenciled Tee. Take this idea any direction the kids want to go. You could make a dorky “World’s Best Dad” shirt, or a video game, hunting or sports-themed shirt. You’ll need an X-ACTO knife, T-shirt paint (or you can mix regular acrylics with a fabric medium for a softer finish) and freezer paper. Check out this tutorial for instructions on DIY freezer paper stencils.
— Dad and Me Book. Older kids love to tell stories, and a homemade book could be one dad will treasure forever. Pick up a blank hardback book at a craft store. Then, help your child write a story about all the things he or she loves to do with daddy. Once the story is complete, your child can illustrate it by hand.
— Baked Goods. If the way to dad’s heart is through his stomach, help kids with a baking project for Father’s Day. Whatever his favorite treat, he’ll get even more joy from eating it knowing that the kids helped make it themselves.
— Drinking Glasses. Whether dad prefers pop or beer, DIY drinking glasses can be a fun project for older kids. You’ll need a glass bottle — beer, soda, wine, etc. — acetone nail polish remover and yarn. Follow the steps in this tutorial to make this fun project before Father’s Day.
Whichever DIY gift you and the kids choose, be sure to round it off with a handmade card thanking dad for all he does for the family!
More from U.S. News
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8 Free (or Really Cheap!) Father’s Day Gifts
8 Gifts Kids Can Make for Father’s Day originally appeared on usnews.com
