16 Cute and Easy Father's Day Gifts Kids Can Make

Every parent loves a homemade gift! These Father's Day craft ideas are perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids, from desk organizers to cute custom magnets.

Heartfelt Award
Photo: Ed Judice

Is there anything sweeter than a gift made from the loving hands of your own child? If you want to make Father's Day especially meaningful, check out these 17 fantastic—and easy-to-create— craft projects that your kids can make with minimal help from a grownup.

Keep reading for inspiration and simple instructions.

01 of 16

Leather Bracelet

Leather Bracelet Craft
Jeff Harris

Leather cording toughens up this simple accessory. Try braiding one in the colors of Dad's favorite team! Add a key ring, and you've got a lovely key chain for everyday use.

02 of 16

Superhero Cookies

5 Fantastic Fathers cookies and 3 Splat cookies
Photograph by Alexandra Grablewski; Idea by Norene Cox and Joy Howard

Got a sweet tooth? Have kids decorate sugar cookies with food toppings to look like superhero versions of themselves. Not into superheroes? No problem! Let your kids get inventive with silly faces.

03 of 16

Family Tree

Family Tree Craft
Jeff Harris

This desk topper is a quirky way to display family pics—and half the fun is taking the photographs! If you have the space for it, try creating a "forest" by making a tree for each child and then arranging them on a desk or bookshelf.

04 of 16

Do (Or Do Not!) Disturb Door Hanger

Do Not Disturb Door Craft
Jeff Harris

Is it work time or time to play, play, play? No more confusion with this door hanger Father's Day craft!

You can download and print our simple template and let your child design their own fun door hanger. Try cutting out pictures, painting, or doodling to your heart's delight.

05 of 16

Heartfelt Award

Heartfelt Award
Ed Judice

This trophy magnet may be small but it holds big sentiments for any parent.

To make it:

  1. Cut two identical trophy cup shapes from gold felt.
  2. Bend two 3-inch pieces of gold pipe cleaner into cup handles.
  3. Use tacky glue to sandwich the ends of the handles between the felt shapes.
  4. Place the trophy between two pieces of wax paper and set a book on top.
  5. Let the trophy dry overnight.

Write a message on the felt with black dimensional fabric paint. When the paint's dry, add a self-adhesive magnet to the back.

06 of 16

Fish Windsock

Foam Fish Windsock
Jay Wilde

Are you looking for a fishing-themed gift this year? Try this colorful fish windsock.

Here's how to make it:

  1. Start with a large sheet of craft foam for your windsock base; play with cut pieces of colorful foam to create fish patterns to decorate it.
  2. Glue the fish shapes to the large sheet.
  3. Roll the large sheet and staple the ends together.
  4. Attach ribbons in various colors and lengths at the bottom, and add one ribbon at the top to hang the windsock.

And voilà! You've got a fantastic windsock.

07 of 16

Sign of Affection

Sign
Heather Weston

Skip the traditional greeting card, and try constructing this Father's Day craft instead. They will love the special sign made from poster board, glue, and painted pieces of pasta.

08 of 16

Colorful Desk Organizer

cool office organizer
Heather Weston

Help sort office supplies in style with this neat desk organizer made with aluminum cans. Grab some paint, string, and construction paper to complete this customizable craft. Here's how:

  1. Choose soup cans in different sizes, wash them out, and dry them thoroughly.
  2. Tape a piece of paper to the can and roll it until the paper covers the whole can; tape it in place. Make sure to leave some extra paper at the top lip to cover the exposed cut edge, so no one gets cut while organizing supplies.
  3. Cut any extra paper off the bottom edge.
  4. Decorate with colorful string, stickers, gift bag tags, paint, or markers.
09 of 16

Lollypapas

Lollypapas
Ed Judice

This Father's Day, make a personalized cookie pop made from Nilla wafers and a chocolate filling.

To make it:

  1. Microwave two tablespoons of chocolate chips according to the package directions.
  2. Use a spoon to spread about a teaspoon of the chocolate on the back of a Nilla wafer. Center a lollipop stick (available at craft stores) in the chocolate, then place another cookie on top. Let the chocolate set.

Mold and snip fruit chews and soft candy (we used Tootsie Roll Midgees, Tootsie Fruit Rolls, and spice drops) to make hair and other features. If needed, reheat the remaining chocolate in 10-second bursts until it's melted, then transfer it to a plastic sandwich bag. Snip off a corner of the bag, then pipe on the chocolate to attach the candy pieces and white confetti sprinkle eyes.

Use a black edible food marker to draw pupils and other details. Finish by taping a card stock shirt to the lollipop stick.

10 of 16

Kid-Crafted Crown

Dads Rule!
Phillip Graybill

Make your parent feel like royalty for the day by crafting a custom crown out of cardstock and chipboard letters.

Try creating a matching scepter by decorating a long wooden spoon or attaching a foam ball to a stick and painting it gold or silver. Why not use a blanket to make a cape to complete the look? Imagine the fun you'll have!

11 of 16

Keepsake Photos

Fathers and Sons
Andrew Greto

Get three generations together in one picture with this creative craft. Here's how:

  1. Take a photo of your child's paternal grandfather and print it at letter size.
  2. Take a photo of your child's father holding the print. Print the second photo.
  3. Take a picture of your child holding that image, then print it out and frame it.

Here's a tip: Photograph your subjects in a well-lit place against a plain background. Print out the photos to be as large as possible, leaving a white border.

12 of 16

Clay Catchall

Clay dish
Lucy Schaeffer

DIY a clay dish that doubles as a catchall for coins.

Here's what you need:

  • White air-dry clay
  • Wax paper
  • Small rolling pin
  • Water
  • Cooking oil
  • Non-washable ink pad
  • Rubber letter stamps or chipboard letters
  • Cotton swab

Here's what to do:

  1. Knead a piece of clay for a few seconds, then flatten it on wax paper and roll it out, so it's ⅛-inch thick.
  2. To smooth the surface of the clay, wipe a little water on top and let it sit for about ten minutes.
  3. Use your finger to apply a thin film of cooking oil to the surface you will stamp.
  4. Ink your stamp and press it into the wet clay.
  5. Use a cotton swab to clean up any undesired impressions or excess oil.
  6. Mix the edges up to create a bowl or dish and let it dry on wax paper for two to three days.
13 of 16

Garden Markers

Foam Garden Stakes
Scott Little

Looking for a Father's Day craft for a green-thumbed parent? Have kids make garden stakes from craft foam and popsicle sticks!

Simply cut out a mix of craft-foam fruits and vegetables. Glue the shapes onto wooden craft sticks and let dry, then plant these adorable markers in the garden.

14 of 16

Personalized Paperweight

Dad Personalized Paperweight
Lucy Schaeffer

Rock, fabric, scissors, and craft! Turn a stone from the yard into a personalized paperweight using fabric scraps and glue.

Here's what you need:

  • Fabric
  • Scissors
  • Fabric glue
  • Water
  • Smooth rocks or stones
  • Wax paper
  • Felt letter stickers

Here's what to do:

  1. Make a small cut at the end of the fabric and tear strips from it.
  2. Cut the strips into manageable pieces and brush watered-down glue on the back (coat each piece as you're using it). Adhere the strip of fabric to the rock.
  3. Repeat with additional strips, overlapping the edges of the fabric strips.
  4. Set aside to dry on wax paper.

Once the rock is dry, brush another layer of glue over the top of the rock and let it dry. Embellish with letter stickers, if desired, to complete the Father's Day craft for kids.

15 of 16

Race Track T-Shirt

Father's Day Race You Back Tshirt Craft
Sabrina Helas

Here's a relaxing gift idea! This race track t-shirt is fun for all parties.

Here's how to make it:

  1. Place cardboard inside a pre-washed T-shirt to keep the paint from seeping through.
  2. Paint a racetrack with fabric paint and a foam brush on the back of the shirt. Let it dry.
  3. Draw the outline of the grandstand with a black fabric marker, then use a cotton swab to add paint dots for the spectators' heads.
  4. Paint a wide yellow stripe for the start-finish line and let it dry.
  5. Use the marker to draw a checkered pattern on the stripe and a dashed line on the road. Set the paint according to the package's directions.

When the shirt is finished, let the kids speed along the racetrack with toy cars.

16 of 16

Cookie Coupons for Dad

Father's Day Cookies
jreika/Shutterstock

Looking for a tasty Father's Day gift? Use edible markers to turn classic sandwich cookies into coupons for free hugs and kisses. Yum!

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