Five Traditional Father's Day Gift Crafts for Kids

When the kids are small, there are no better Father's Day gift than those that came from their very own little hands. No store bought gift will possibly be able to capture the memories that these traditional Father's Day Gift crafts can provide.

Photograph Magnets

What better Father's Day Gift than a constant reminders of the children who love him so much? Photograph magnets are keepsakes that are easy to make and will last a lifetime. Dad can hang them on the refrigerator at home or at work, on the filing cabinet or even his toolbox.

Supplies:

Photographs of the kids that you don't mind cutting up

Flat backed clear marbles (available at any craft store)

Round magnets (available at any craft store)

White craft glue (available at any craft store)

Scissors

Step 1:

Sit down with the kids and choose several photos that feature pictures of their smiling faces that are small enough to fit inside the flat-backed clear glass marbles that you've chosen. To gauge the size, simply place the marbles over the photographs (this can be a great scavenger hunt for the kids).

If you don't have many available pictures, grab a camera and let the kids have a fun dress-up photo shoot and then upload the photos, or take the camera to your local photo developer. Or, if you don't want to cut up any of your beloved family photographs, have the kids draw faces or other designs on white paper with crayons (marker will smudge when you apply the glue)

Step 2:

Once you have found the desired pictures, place the marbles over their smiling faces and trace the edges of the marble with a pen. Then, cut out the faces just inside the line that you've made.

Step 3:

Use your finger or a cotton swab to smear a thin layer of the white craft glue onto the flat back of the marble. Then, press the marble gently down onto the cut out photo being sure to center it. After the glue has dried, glue the round magnet to the back of the photo. Repeat for all photos.

Father's Day Mug

This is a classic Father's Day gift craft. Every dad needs a Father's Day mug that he can take to work and show off to his co-workers. This year, why not give dad a special mug personalized by his little ones. You can decorate them any way you like, or leave it up to each child to decide. But if you are short on craft ideas, make this "Dad and Me" coffee mug with fingerprints figures.

Supplies:

White Coffee Mug

Enamel Paints in black and any other colors you desire (Available at Your Local Dollar Store)

Thin, pointed paint brush (one for each child involved)

Children aged seven and up

Step 1:

Wash and dry the white coffee Mug

Step 2:

Coat your child's thumbprint with red (or any other color) enamel paint and press it on the middle of the side of the mug to make the "daddy" figure (If your child's thumbprint is too small, paint around it using the same color).

Step 3:

To make the second, "me" figure, paint the pad of your child's pointer finger using pink or blue (or any other color) paint. Then, about a quarter inch away from the "Daddy" print, have your child make the second print, making sure that the bottoms of the figures are level so that it looks like they are walking side by side.

Step 3:

Use the thin paint brush to draw stick-arms and legs onto the figures. Connect the arms so that it looks like the figures are holding hands. Then add hair, or any other features that you or your children would like to add.

Step 4:

Use the thin paintbrush to write "daddy" above the "Daddy" character and "me" above the daughter or son thumbprint figure. To further personalize the mug, write dad's first name on the other side of the mug.

Step 5:

Bake the mug in the oven according to the directions on the back of the enamel paint bottle.

Father's Day Cookies

We all know that the key to dad's heart is through his stomach. Father's Day cookies in a decorative keepsake box not only make a touching gift, but a great snack that the family can share.

Supplies

Ingredients for dad's favorite cookies

A plain, wooden box with a hinge top (available at your local craft store)

Ribbon of any color

Acrylic Craft paint of any color

Tissue paper

Step 1:

Have the children help you mix the ingredients and bake dad's favorite cookies.

Step 2:

While the cookies are baking, have the children help you paint the gift box. Let each child pick a side to decorate any way that they like. If you have several children, have them take turns and allow one side to dry before starting the next so the paint doesn't get smudged.

Step 3:

Line the box with tissue paper, and once the cookies have cooled, place them into the tissue paper in the box.

If dad "likes" sugar cookies, have the children decorate them with icing.

Step 4:

Wrap the box in ribbon.

Father's Day Shirt

These special Father's Day gift shirts are every father's pride and joy. He'll wear it to every ballgame and recital for years to come.

Supplies:

Plain white t-shirt

Fabric Paint

Letter sponges

Step 1:

Spread the t-shirt out so that there are no wrinkles

Step 2:

One at a time, paint the kids palms and have them stamp their hands on the shirt anywhere below the armholes.

Step 3:

Use the sponge letter's to print a message on the upper part of the shirt. "World's Best Dad", "Happy Father's Day" or "We Love You".