For the past two decades, I have tried and tried to find the perfect Father’s Day gift for my dad.
Seriously, I have experimented with everything — including goofy neckties and golden retriever socks. And I definitely will never forget my most infamous gift of all: the jumbo-sized television remote I bought him as a middle schooler.
What I learned over the years is that the best gifts I ever gave my dad — the ones that made him grin the widest — were the handmade creations I put tremendous time and thought into. Nothing says “I care about you” like a personalized keepsake crafted out of love.
Check out this list of 10 DIY Father's Day gift ideas that are guaranteed to make Dad feel special. Help your kids construct one of these timeless gifts, or experiment making these trinkets for your own father or husband.
We hope these cute and creative crafts help make this Father’s Day one to remember. If you love these DIY Father's Day gifts, please be sure to SHARE this list with your friends and family on Facebook!
Thumbnail Source: Flickr / Jeff Djevdet
1. Felt Photo Bookmarks
Maybe Dad is a big-time bookworm or simply needs the perfect placeholder for his work agenda. To make these precious bookmarks, simply glue a picture to a felt strip and laminate the product. Punch a hole at the top and tie in bits of string to give your DIY Father's Day gifts a fringy flare.
2. Shrinky Dink Keychains
To craft one of these creative keychains, all you need is a sheet of Shrinky Dink paper and a box of colored pencils. Just set the oven to 350°F, cover a cookie sheet with tin foil, and pop your plastic creations into the heat for 3 ½ minutes. Don’t forget to punch a keychain hole at the top so Dad can carry your art with him everywhere he goes!
3. Paint Print Art
If your dad is like mine, he is nothing short of a hero. Help your kids show him how “super” they think he is by using their hands and feet as stamps. Don't forget to use washable paint to leave the prints, and draw on a face and cape design with permanent marker once the artwork dries. If you are worried about your kiddos leaving paint prints around the house, consider making a thumbprint mug!
4. Silly Grass Heads
Watch your love for Dad grow with this long-term gardening craft! Spruce up a small plastic cup by using paint, construction paper, and googly eyes to design a face. Then, fill the cup to the brim with soil and bury some grass seeds inside. Don't forget to water your plant daily and place it in direct sunlight.
5. Coat And Tie Goody Bags
Reverse roles and let the kids pack Dad lunch for once! Cut one-inch slits on the sides of a brown lunch sack, then fold in the flaps to resemble a shirt collar. Next, fashion a miniature necktie out of patterned paper and fill the bag with goodies that are just as sweet as Pop.
6. Stackable Photo Blocks
Create a catalog of all of Dad’s favorite photo memories by crafting wooden picture blocks. Just purchase wood cubes from your local craft store, print out the perfect pictures, and lather on some decoupage to make the images stick. Add more blocks every year to build on this cute tradition!
7. Hand-Painted Aprons
Is Dad the head chef in the house? Don’t worry — the recipe for making him a personalized cooking smock is simple. Use paint to leave heart-shaped handprints and scribble a clever note with felt pens. He will love the design you cook up!
8. Scrabble Letter Art
Is a dusty, old copy of Scrabble sitting forgotten in your cupboard? Put those little wooden letters to use by spelling out a thoughtful message on scrapbook paper. Paste on a drawing and frame your work so Dad can prop it on his nightstand.
9. Nail And String Word Art
This advanced DIY Father's Day idea makes vibrant wall art, perfect for hanging at home or in Dad's office. Trace your message on a piece of wood using a pencil, then hammer in nails to create the words. Loop and weave strings of various colors between the nails and watch your words come to life!
10. ‘Stump and Stone’ Tic-Tac-Toe Board
Why waste paper to play this classic game when you can create a stylish, reusable board at home? Collect nine smooth stones and label them for two opponents (one being “Super Dad," of course). As for the board itself, any slab of wood will do.
11. The Ultimate 'Handyman Hammer'
Are you looking for a gift that is just as adorable as it is practical? Try this decorated hammer for Dad's toolbox! Let the kids paint the hammer handle using acrylic paint, then use stick-on letters to leave a thoughtful message — preferably, some sort of handyman pun.
Which of these cute crafts do you think Dad will end up loving most?
Be sure to let us know about your own DIY Father’s Day gift ideas and please SHARE this helpful list with your friends and family on Facebook.
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