Children's Gift Ideas for Father's Day

Who says you have to go out to purchase a gift for Father's Day? Most little ones I know don't have a job, so what is a child to do to show dad how much he's appreciated on Father's Day? Well, Mom, there is help! Below are a few crafty ideas that young children can easily do with minimal parental help.

Can Holder

Why buy a foamy can holder when you can easily make one? This is an easy project that can stretch creativity to any limit. All you need for this fun gift idea is a measuring tape (to measure a can!), safety scissors, foam stickers, stickers, markers, glue sticks, glitter, string, a paper punch (or anything to make holes in the foam!) and a plastic needle. What you do first is measure around the can and how tall you want the can holder to be. Once you have your dimensions, mom (or older child) can cut the foam to the perfect size. Next, you'll want to make holes along the edges of the shorter sides of the foam. These will be used to 'sew' the foam together once you're done decorating.

From here you let the kids go crazy. Decorate their can holders however they want. Make sure you watch them though so they can have help spelling Dad, Daddy or even Dad's name on these. Once they're decorated as the children want them, be sure to let them dry if glue or glitter glue was used on these for at least 24 hours. After this time, check to make sure any glue isn't still tacky and then you can proceed to the final step. Make a knot in one end of string and thread the needle. Mom, you may need to help hold the foam together while the children sew, or you can sew it yourself if you're iffy about them handling needles. Simply make an x shape sewing style up and down the edges, making sure the string is pulled tight. Once done, remove the needle, knot the string on the loose end and cut any remaining string off. This Father's Day gift is fun and can be used all year round. Dad will love this creative idea.

Make-a-card

This creative child idea involves crayons, construction paper in any color, markers, glitter, glue and stickers, too! Mom, of course, you'll have to cut the card to the right dimensions. There are many places to go online if you need to make a card template, but, the easiest way is to just make a bigger card out of construction paper. This means you don't have to definitely cut the paper, but if the children want a smaller size, it's OK! Once you've decided what size you're doing, just fold the paper over in card-shape. Make sure you tell the kids which side to write on as the cover to the card. If they use glue or glitter glue, let it dry for at least 24 hours. When it's dry, you can use your writing skills and help the children write a poem just for Dad. When done, have them sign the other side of the card best they can. Dad will definitely love this Father's Day gift.

Treasure Map

This is a fun game that is tops for Father's Day. Not only does it lead to a surprise for Dad, but it gives dad a chance to play with his children. First thing you do is figure out where X will be - then you put all of Dad's treasures for the day there in a hidden spot, but, not hidden too well! When that is chosen, you need to figure out how he's going to end up at that location. Maybe his car? Someplace Dad normally wouldn't be going first thing in the morning. Start wherever you feel is best for Dad and figure out how he's going to get to each area for the clue to where his booty lie. Make it fun! Speak like a Pirate while Dad is on this all important quest!

Once you figured out all the locations dad will go to find his Father's Day clues, get out a piece of white construction paper and start creating the map with crayons, markers or pens. Be sure that when creating this map that Dad isn't around! Create dashes, dots, x's to the first location if you want. You could make smaller maps from each location. Be as creative as you want with this. Come up with cute little rhymes to get dad to each location, ultimately leading up to the big X. When you're done creating the map, crinkle it up, make it look authentic and then roll it up. Be sure to tie it with a ribbon so the surprise isn't ruined when Dad sees it. Make him wonder, then watch him with pride as he follows the map to his surprise!

All you need to do to have an incredible Father's Day is use your imagination and remember to put love behind it. There are no limits to what your children can do for Dad on Father's Day, which require little to no money. Remind your children often that it isn't about money in the least -- it's all about love and admiration for dad doing a job so well. Happy Father's Day!