You’ve got just under two weeks before Father’s Day arrives. You’ve been too busy to go shopping, never mind hunt down the most thoughtful or useful gift, and besides, the men in your life have too much “stuff” as it is.
Instead, spend some quality time with your munchkins and help them make something heartfelt and original for the father or father-figure of your children.
We’ve got five fun, easy craft ideas for you.
Rosemary Mint Shaving Cream
Whip up a luxurious shaving cream with this homemade recipe, courtesy of Food For My Family. For safety reasons, this craft is an adult-child tag team effort: Mom can take care of melting the shea butter and coconut oil over low heat, while the kids can be in charge of mixing and stirring all the ingredients together.
When finished, place in a simple jar and add a note that says, “Made with love.”
Good for: Ages 5-10
Supplies (for an 8 oz container of cream):
- 1/3 cup shea butter
- 1/3 cup virgin coconut oil
- 1/4 cup jojoba or sweet almond oil
- 10 drops rosemary essential oil
- 3-5 drops peppermint essential oil
Instructions:
- In a small saucepan over low heat, combine shea butter and coconut oil, stirring until just melted. Remove from the heat and transfer to a heat-safe bowl.
- Add in the jojoba oil and the essential oils.
- Stir to mix.
- Place the bowl in the refrigerator and chill until solid.
- Remove from the refrigerator and whip using a hand beater or a stand mixer until light and fluffy.
- Spoon into a jar. Lid and keep in a cool, dry place.
Super Dad Candy Bar
This activity is well suited to little ones just learning how to use crayons, scissors and glue. Using I Heart Crafty Things’ free printable template, have the kids color it, and then cut out the shapes. Turn an unremarkable chocolate bar into a sweet gesture, reminding Dad of how much of a superhero he is to your kids.
Good for: Ages 2-4
Supplies:
- Dad’s favorite chocolate bar (Hershey’s bar works well)
- Printed template or colored card stock paper
- Yarn for hair (optional)
- Markers or crayons
- Scissors
- Tape
- Glue stick
Instructions:
- Cut out all of the template pieces. Use your markers (or crayons) to color in the “Super Dad” badge and the “Super Dad” face. You can even use yarn for hair.
- Or, if starting by scratch, using a quarter, trace a round circle on the paper and then cut out. This will be the “Super Dad” face.
- Next, using a post-it note, trace a square and cut out. This will be the “Super Dad”
- Lay the chocolate bar on top of the cape aligning the chocolate bar with the bottom of the cape. Fold down the top corners and make creases along the cape to form the cape around the chocolate bar, as if the bar was the body of a person. Secure with tape.
- Add a piece of tape at the bottom of the chocolate bar and at the top of the chocolate bar and attach the printed “Super Dad” badge and face.
- Personalize the Father’s Day gift by attaching a note on the back with your kids completing the sentence: “My dad is super because … .”
DIY Personalized Pint Glass
Dad needs to have eight glasses of water per day just like the rest of us, so why not give him a special vessel with which to drink? Fathers will favor this one at family barbecues. Craft needs some parental supervision for safety.
Good for: Ages 6-12
Supplies:
- Clear pint-size drinking glass
- Oil-based paint markers
- Stencil design or printed pattern design
Instructions:
- Tape stencil design on glass and fill it in using oil-based paint markers. Allow to dry for at least 20 minutes.
- To change colors or fix mistakes, use rubbing alcohol as an eraser.
- Bake the glasses at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. This allows paint to set.
- Turn off the oven and allow the glasses to cool completely before removing.
- To preserve the design, the glasses must only be hand washed.
DAD Cutout Picture Frame
With the constant sharing of photos on Instagram and Facebook, we don’t often have physical photos in our hands. Now’s the time to get some printed at your local pharmacy or have some printed and shipped via an online service.
You’ll be ready to share these keepsake photos by making a special picture frame that spells out the word “DAD,” using this Martha Stewart template. Pictures of the kids and the family will show through the holes of each letter, perfect for displaying on his desk at the office, in your living room and elsewhere.
Good for: Ages 5-8
Supplies:
- Card stock
- Paper clips
- Small printed photos of the kids or family
Instructions:
- Print and cut out the frame template.
- Lay the template over card stock, trace with a pencil and cut it out.
- Trim photos to fit the openings, making them slightly larger than the holes; tape them behind the frame.
- To make the frame stand up, bend open two paper clips and tape the small sides to the backs of the letters at the very bottom.
Personalized Bookmark
Book nerds unite. If Dad marks his place in his current read with an old business cards or receipts lying around the house, then making a specially designed bookmark is not only thoughtful but also extremely handy.
Good for: Ages 2-7
Supplies:
- Card stock
- Scissors or paper cutter
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Glue stick
- Decorative supplies like photos, stickers, cut-outs, markers, etc.
Instructions:
- Using a ruler, pencil and scissors, or a measuring paper cutter, cut a piece of card stock 2 inches wide and 7 inches long.
- With markers, write a heartfelt message on the bookmark and then decorate with photos of the kids or of the father’s favorite things.