Bookmarks are an Easy Craft Idea for Father's Day that Children of All Ages Can Make

If you would like the children to create their gifts for dad this year, here is a great idea that can be made by children of most any age. It can be adapted to a simple project for young children and a more complex one for older children by simply allowing them to create to their own specifications. This item is a gift that is also great because dad is sure to use it many times. You can create book markers that dad can use in his favorite book, or the book he is currently reading. Making them is simple but you can add a twist from the traditional poster board ones that children make by using a fancier fabric such as supple leather or suede.

You will need to gather your supplies. You need the following:

A nice thick material, such as suede, leather or faux suede or leather

Scissors, or pinking shears if you will be making decorative edges

Eyelet and an eyelet punch

Cord, rope or thread to loop through the eyelet hole. You can also choose the kind that is pre-made with a tassel on the end.

Beads of any shape or size to coordinate with the theme of your book mark (these are optional)

Whatever items you would like to use to decorate the front of the bookmark, you can choose from small craft items that can be glued, glitter pens, stick and peel foil, buttons, etc. If drawing letters, you may want to use a stencil. If using traditional glitter you will need glue.

Cut the base of your book mark out of the material. You can make it any size you like, the traditional size, however, being seven inches long and two and one half inches wide.

Use pinking shears if you like, to trim the edges, or to trim three of the edges, or even just the bottom of the book mark (this is optional).

Create the design you would like to use for your bookmark. You can write Happy Father's Day, I love you dad, or any other message, or you can draw pictures. Carefully apply glue if using it, glitter, appliques, or other craft items and allow to dry. If you are using foil here it will give it an elegant look. If you are going for a sporty look, you can use miniature footballs, baseballs, golf tees, etc. here. Any type of theme can be created from the items you have, if you just use your imagination.

Create an eyelet hole with the eyelet punch.

Now you are going to use your cord, rope, or thread to create a loop to go through the eyelet, or you can loop your tassel through it. If doing the latter, your project is now complete. If doing the former, you can apply beads to 3/5 of the rope and then pull the beaded piece of cord, rope or thread through the eyelet hole. If you search the local craft store, you should easily be able to find small beads that represent the theme you are going for. You can find them in football shapes, letters, traditional circles in any color, including metallic, or any other vast array of colors, shapes or styles.

Tie the ends of your cord, rope or thread together and knot securely.

Trim any excess thread.

You now have a practical, useful and unique gift for dad that a child of any age can make. In fact, this is a great activity idea you can get the whole family in on at the same time. Just gather everyone around the table and you can all create book marks for dad together. It is sure to be a fun and creative time that the children will remember and that dad will appreciate come his big day.