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30 Easy-as-Pie Father's Day Crafts the Kids Can Make at Home

Kids of all ages, from preschoolers to teens, will love making these DIY goodies for Dad.

Headshot of Jill GleesonBy Jill Gleeson
preview for How Father’s Day is Celebrated Around the World

Even if Dad says he wants nothing for Father's Day, we just can't resist celebrating our favorite guy with a hearty Father's Day breakfast in bed followed by a day of fun Father's Day activities. But let's face it—nothing says "I love you, Dad" better than a heartfelt homemade DIY present, card, or keepsake from the kids (with maybe a little crafting help from Mom thrown in). We've put together a list of the best Father's Day crafts for all ages, from preschoolers to elementary-aged children to teens, that are sentimental, useful, and guaranteed to tug at Dad's heartstrings.

If your family's crafting skills are, well, limited. No worries! Many of these projects are surprisingly simple to make. From picture frames to puppets, there's something here for every skill level. You might even have most of the supplies already lying around the house! For the dad who loves an afternoon on the links, there are ideas for customized golf gifts, as well as for the grill master of the house. And if Dad is still working from home, there are ideas to help get his desk organized and in tip-top shape!

We're sure you'll find a perfect gift idea for all the special dads in your life, including grandfathers and stepdads. What he'll love the most is that these Father's Day crafts come straight from the hearts—and hands—of his biggest fans, the kids!

1

Book Spine Bookmark

bookmark made from the spine of a vintage book

Have an old book that can't be saved? If the spine is salvageable, use it to mark make dad a new bookmark! Fun for kids to make with help from an adult.

To make: Using a utility knife, remove the spine, then line the inside with patterned contact paper. Punch a hole at the top and thread twine through.

2

Chill Grill

cooler made from a vintage kettle grill

Dad will be the talk of the next bbq with the inventive cooler the kids set out for him! After cleaning—consider repainting the inside if it’s rusty—cover the interior vents with foil to slow dripping. Fun for kids to make with help from an adult.

3

DIY Checkerboard

diy checkerboard made on a cutting board

The kids and dad will love battling it out on a DIY checkerboard! Fun for all ages.

To make: Tape off a 64-square pattern on a wood cutting board with painter's tape (you'll need at least a 16" x 16" board to accommodate standard checkers), then paint on squares with acrylic paint.

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4

Enamelware Bulletin Board

white enamelware tray with blue trim turned into a magnetic bulletin board for a father's day craft
Becky Stayner

Enamelware’s magnetic properties make it a perfect way for Dad to display odds and ends. Fun for all ages.

To make: Simply hang a tray on a wall using Command Strips or double-sided Velcro. Choose some fun magnets to attach photos and other mementos, such as old ticket stubs.

5

"Coolest Dad" DIY Koozie

drink koozie father's day craft decorated with child's drawing and the words you are the coolest dad, shown on a green painted bench beside a bowl of peanuts
Ian Palmer

Dad will be grinning from ear to ear while sipping cans of his favorite summer chiller out of this DIY drink koozie. Ideal for preschoolers and up.

To make: Cut a length of craft foam that is just shorter than a can. Wrap around can and cut the length so that it just overlaps itself. Have kids draw a picture on the foam with fabric markers. Add a piece of Velcro to the back to keep it closed.

6

Punctual Pan

father's day craft featuring a pale green enamelware pot turned into a clock, shown hanging by its handle from a wooden display shelf and rack
Becky Stayner

Help Dad make sure the kids get to school or soccer practice on time with this clever clock. Ideal for young adults (or any age with an adult to help with the power tools).

To make: Start by drilling a hole in the center of an enamelware pan, then insert a battery-operated quartz clock movement (clockworks.com). Tie a piece of twine through the handle opening, and hang.

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7

#1 Dad Pinch Bowl

1 dad pinch bowl father's day craft
Ian Palmer

Make Dad a catch-all dish where he can stash those trinkets you collect together on your outdoor adventures. Fun for all ages (with an adult’s help with the oven).

To make: Pinch and shape oven-bake clay into a small, shallow dish. Bake according to manufacturer's directions. Once cool, paint as desired with acrylic paint. Once dry, seal with satin-finish Mod Podge.

8

Mug Storage Caddy

father's day craft featuring enamelware mugs mounted on a blue painted board and used as storage caddies for desk supplies
Becky Stayner

For the dad who likes all his ducks in a row, this DIY storage caddy will make his heart sing! Ideal for young adults (or any age with an adult to help with the hammer and nails).

To make: Mount vintage or new enamelware mugs on a piece of wood (painted to match the mugs, if desired) with screws or heavy-duty double-sided Velcro. Hammer two small nails or insert small eye-hooks at the top of the piece of wood and hang from a length of twine.

9

Paint Can Bottle Opener

overhead shot of the bottle opener father's day craft displayed on a pale pink painted wooden serving tray with beer bottles
Ian Palmer

You may already have the tool—a paint can opener—laying around the house. If not, a quick trip to the local hardware and craft store will get you set up to show Dad just how clever, inventive, and crafty you are! Fun for all ages (with an adult’s help with the oven).

To make:
Wrap the stick part of a paint can opener with oven-bake clay, forming the clay into desired shape. Bake according to the package directions. Once cool, paint clay with acrylic paint. Once dry, seal with satin finish Mod Podge.

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10

DIY Grilling Apron

father's day apron decorated with the words grill master and orange and yellow kids finger paint art mimicking grill flames
Ian Palmer

This is the ideal gift for the dad who loves to spend time out back barbecuing a delicious meal for friends, family, and especially the crafter of this fun apron. Fun for all ages.

To make: Use fabric markers or fabric paint and a small paint brush to paint "grill master" and a grill on a plain canvas apron. Once dry, have kids dip their pinky fingers in orange, red, and yellow paint and press onto apron, just above grill grates, to create flames.

11

Drop Cloth Picnic Blanket

drop cloth picnic blanket  father's day craft
Ian Palmer

Dad will love lounging on this DIY picnic blanket with the family on a lazy Sunday afternoon. And it's super simple—you'll only need a few easy-to-find supplies to make it! Ideal for young adults.

To make:
Wash and iron a hardware store canvas drop cloth in the desired size. Use fabric paint (or mix fabric paint fixative with acrylic paint per package directions). Tape off desired pattern with painter's tape, and paint drop cloth. Allow to dry and head outside.

12

DIY Air Fresheners

three tree shaped diy air fresheners covered with plaid fabric
Ian Palmer

Help Dad keep his car or office smelling fresh with a DIY tree-shaped air freshener. Added bonus—they are made with essential oils, so no nasty chemicals involved. Fun for all ages (with an adult to supervise the essential oils).

To make: Trace the shape of a wooden Christmas tree ornament on a scrap of fabric twice. Cut out and glue to the front and back of the ornament. Once dry, soak the fabric with Dad's favorite essential oil (we used cedar). Thread twine through the ornament loop for hanging.

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13

Vintage Map Wall Art

two framed vintage maps with ribbons marking traversed routes for a hand crafted father's day gift
David Hillegas

Commemorate a vacation, hiking excursion, rowing adventure, or road trip by outlining the route traversed with ribbon or twine on a new or vintage map. Ideal for young adults.

To make: Use hot-glue to hold the ribbon or twine in place on the map.

14

Vintage Baking Tin Hanging Planters

two vintage baking tin hanging planters filled with succulents for father's day
Ian Palmer

The perfect decoration for an at-home office, these cute hanging planters are made from vintage baking tins. New pans will work just as well. Ideal for young adults (or any age with an adult's help).

To make the Bundt pan hanging planter: Thread twine through a series of craft beads (making sure they are large enough to not slip through the center hole of the pan), tie a knot in the twine to keep in place. Thread the twine up through the center hole of a small Bundt pan. Add more craft beads on top, for decoration, then tie a loop in the top of the twine for hanging. Fill pan with pebbles, soil, and desired plants.

To make the loaf pan hanging planter: Choose a pan with openings in the handles. Thread craft beads through two separate pieces of twine, and tie knots in the twine to keep in place. Thread one of the pieces of twine up through each handle (the beads attached to the twine should nestle below the handles). Join the two pieces of twine above the pan, and add more craft beads for decoration. Tie the two pieces of twine together at the top for hanging. Fill pan with pebbles, soil, and desired plants.

15

Easy Clipboard Frames

diy wall art in clipboard frames for father's day
DAVID HILLEGAS

"Frame" Dad's favorite art—whether it's family pictures, maps, naturalist prints, or a finger-painting masterpiece. Fun for all ages.

To make: Simply clip artwork into clipboards. For a dynamic look, use different size clipboards and an array of colorful twine to hang.

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16

Dad Award Ribbons

red award ribbons labeled best dad ever, number 1 dad, and world's greatest dad for father's day
Chica and Jo

Printables make these cute award ribbons for the best dad you know easy-peasy to create. There's even a blank badge so the kids can write in their own award. Fun for all ages.

Get the tutorial at Chica and Jo.

17

"Building Memories with Dad"

mason jar filled with building blocks labeled with father and child activities such as fishing, hike, movie, camping, bowling, and legos with gift tag reading building memories with dad
The Seasoned Mom

Just about all you and the kids need for this clever project are building blocks and an imagination filled with fun things to do with Dad. Ideal for toddlers and up (with a little penmanship help from an adult).

Get the tutorial at The Seasoned Mom.

18

Handprint Baseball

baseball with child's handprint on it inside baseball glove
Sunny Day Family

Sure to bring a tear to his eye, this adorable craft will forever remind Dad of the precious times he spent playing catch with the kids. Ideal for toddlers and up.

Get the tutorial at Sunny Day Family.

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19

Glass Thumbprint Heart Magnets

round clear magnets with colored thumbprint hearts
Rhythms of Play

Kids' thumbprints form the "heart" on these magnets, which are surprisingly simple to make with pre-bought glass gems. Ideal for toddlers and up.

Get the tutorial at Rhythms of Play.

20

Paint-Dipped Golf Tees

golf ball and tees with ends painted blue, green or orange for a father's day gift
Design Improvised

Even the youngest members of the family can help make this cool craft, an inventive spin on the long-popular paint-dipping trend. Fun for all ages.

Get the tutorial at Design Improvised.

Headshot of Jill Gleeson
Jill Gleeson

Jill Gleeson is a travel journalist and memoirist based in the Appalachian Mountains of western Pennsylvania who has written for websites and publications including Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Country Living, Washingtonian, Gothamist, Canadian Traveller, and EDGE Media Network. Jill is the travel editor for Enchanted Living. Learn more about her journey at gleesonreboots.com.

Father's Day Ideas 2023

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