Help children
wrap their Father's Day gifts for an extra special touch.
Father's Day has been celebrated in the United States since 1910 as a day to honor fathers. Children of all ages celebrate their fathers in their own way on that day. Toddlers can join in the celebration by assisting in assembling and decorating simple crafts that are fast, easy, inexpensive and, most importantly, sure to delight any proud father.
Homemade Card
Making dads a Father's Day card is not only thoughtful, but it is something they can cherish for years to come. Children can make a card using virtually any material and design it to suit their father. Some ideas include a shirt and tie card, which is made by cutting out a piece of legal-size paper into the shape of a short-sleeved dress shirt and gluing on a tie made from construction paper. Children decorate the shirt in the pattern of their choice. Glue the tie only at the top so you can write a message underneath. Another idea is to make a card for dad that includes tickets that can be redeemed for things like a hug, watching a movie together and other thoughtful gestures and activities that small children can easily accomplish.
Wooden Frame
Help children make a wooden frame using ice pop sticks or tongue depressors which will hold a sweet picture for a Father's Day gift. Make a square with four sticks to create a frame. Glue the sticks together at each corner by overlapping the ends. Use eight sticks instead of four by using two sticks on each side, which will also create more room for children to decorate. Have children decorate the frames with Father's Day-themed stickers, such as tools, fishing gear and barbecue tools. Help them write "Happy Father's Day" on the frame as well. Take a picture of each child and glue it to the back of the frame so the photo faces out.
Homemade Apron
Help children make a one-of-a-kind apron for their dads to wear while cooking in the kitchen or outside on the barbecue. Get a plain canvas apron from a craft or hobby store, or if you want to make it by hand, select an apron pattern online and cut out your own. Children can decorate their dad's apron with iron-on letters, iron-on pictures of kitchen or cooking-related items or have them dip their hands in paint and decorate the front of the apron with hand prints for a personalized touch.
Tackle Box
For the dad who loves fishing, children can make a keepsake tackle box. Wrap a shoe box in paper using a brown paper bag or construction paper in a color of your choice. Wrap the lid and box separately so the lid can be removed. Twist several pieces of brown pipe cleaner together for the tackle box handle. Punch two holes through the lid and thread each end into the lid. Twist or knot the ends so the handle stays on. Cut out paper fish and bubbles, and allow children to glue them to the outside of the box. Write "Dad's Tackle Box" on the end of the box or use sticker letters. Have the children fill the box with plastic bobbers, fishing lures or gummy worms for a humorous touch.
