18 Jun Father’s Day Crafts for Kids
After months of spending “quality time” with loved ones indoors you might have done every crafty activity you can think of. You might have even gone beyond your own imagination, and that of your children, and searched the internet for more ideas of ways to creatively pass the time. Enter: Father’s Day. Another excuse to make something fun and colorful to brighten up some very challenging days that are easily filled with thoughts of “what should have been”.
The queen of crafts, Martha Stewart, features 15 ideas for crafts that kids can whip up for dad on his special day. Read on for a few highlights and click here for the full list.
Family Map Scrapbook
This can be a family project: Commemorate those summer vacations spent together by gathering maps, mementos, and more from your favorite getaways, then compiling everything into a bound book for Dad to browse through when he’s feeling sentimental. To make this craft, start by cutting the map to fit, and glue it in place along edges. For the frame, cut a rectangle larger than the photo, and cut slits into the corners. Next, prep the envelope by unfolding an existing envelope; trace around it on a double-sided map. Continue by cutting out, and then fold and glue it to match the original. Lastly, cut a small rectangle (ours are one-by-two inches) for the photo corner. Fold the edges to the center to create a triangle and glue the seam side to the page.
Rock Paper Weights
Kids will have fun making this form of rock art: découpaged rocks to be used on Dad’s desk as paper weights. The best part of this craft? They can help the whole family reminisce on cherished memories. Help the kids print family snapshots onto thin rice paper, then let them layer onto the stones of their choice. Printing the images onto thin rice paper lets the texture of the rock come through, so the image appears painted-on.
Keepsake Book Box
Dad will pore over this year’s gift: a wooden “book” with a secret drawer for keepsakes or knick knacks. To begin, stain the entire surface of a modern book box (available at crafts stores and online) with diluted paint; let dry. Then use undiluted paint to add designs like stripes (use painters’ tape for straight lines). Once the box is dry, don’t forget to dress up the compartment where Dad will store special items like cufflinks and lucky golf tees. Using craft glue, line the inside with velvet or decorative paper. Start Dad’s collection by dropping in a few shared mementos.
Shirt Cuff Cards
Fashion a card to look like a dapper shirt cuff, and then use it to present a gift of cufflinks (make a set out of shank buttons, or buy new or vintage links). Cut a 3 1/4-by-9- inch rectangle from construction paper; round two corners, as shown. Rubber-stamp a greeting on one side. Gently bend paper in half and cut four slits for cufflinks. To make cufflinks, hook 24-gauge wire onto a button’s shank, securing with needle-nose pliers. Cut wire to half an inch and loop through a second button’s shank; repeat.
Father’s Day Coupons
Dad loves a deal, especially the kind tailored with him in mind. Offer a free car wash, lawn mowing, breakfast, and much more using do-it-yourself designs. Kids’ imaginations can run wild with this craft. Simply make this project with construction paper or other craft paper you have lying around your house. Deck out the coupons with designs using markers and an array of colors that will catch Dad’s eye. Once kids make a cover, they can fasten, staple, or sew the booklet together.
We’ll end the highlights with a classic. Remember, check out marthastewart.com for all the details!