Homemade crafts are the best way to show Dad how much he’s loved on Father’s Day. Not only do art projects cultivate your child’s creativity, but they also build their attention span and patience as they go through each step. At Crème de la Crème, we value the creativity our kids develop through our unique art, music, and theater programs. Schedule a tour at a Crème de la Crème facility near you to discover our exciting research-based programs designed to develop your child’s mind and sense of wonder. 

Ready to make some cool crafts for Dad? Here are some of our favorite Father’s Day projects for kids to try this summer.

Rock Paperweight

Take a walk around your neighborhood or visit your favorite local park to find a rock to transform into a special paperweight for Dad’s office desk. Be sure to find one that’s not too heavy for your child to carry but has a smooth bottom so it will lay flat. Wash the rock with soap and water so it’s dirt-, sand-, and germ-free for decorating. Additional supplies needed to complete this craft include: 

• Washable, nontoxic paint.
• Paintbrushes.
• A paint pen or permanent marker.

Let your child’s creativity flow and allow them to decorate the rock paperweight however they please. They can mix colors or layer the paint. Once the rock is dry, ask your child what phrase or word they’d like you to write on top of the rock with a paint pen or permanent marker. It could be a sweet “I love you” or a punny “You rock.” Wrap the rock in wrapping paper and gift it to Dad on Father’s Day.

Cardboard Heart String Art

This art project is perfect for crafters wanting to avoid heavy tools such as hammers and nails. Instead, take a quick family trip to your local craft store or dig through your art supply closet for colorful yarn or thread. Next, raid your recycling bin for an empty cardboard box that your kids can transform into a heartfelt gift for Dad on Father’s Day. Keep a pair of safety or craft scissors handy to complete this project. 

Trace a few hearts on the side of the cardboard box and cut them out. Once the hearts are cut out, make small notches all around their edges. These notches will help hold the yarn in place. If the kids want an extra pop of color, they can use washable, nontoxic paint and paintbrushes to liven up their cardboard canvases. Let the paint dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Help your kids wrap their yarn or thread around the heart, leaving a small piece hanging in the back. As you wrap, pull the thread so it tucks deep into the notches around the heart for extra security. Encourage your children to try different wrapping techniques to create cool geometric patterns, such as a checkerboard or zigzags. Once they’re done wrapping the heart, cut the thread and leave a tail. Tie the tail to the piece of thread or yarn that started the project, and the heart is complete.

DIY Mosaic Picture Frame

To complete this Father’s Day craft, you’ll need:

• Washable, nontoxic paint.
• Paintbrushes.
• Styrofoam plates.
• Safety scissors and craft scissors.
• Washable craft glue or paste.
• An empty cereal box.
• A ruler and a pencil.
• A picture of Dad with the kids or the whole family.

Once you have all the supplies, it’s time to paint. Have your child pick three to five paint colors, and let them use paintbrushes to paint the same number of Styrofoam plates — one color per plate. Their painting style will add a unique touch to the final project. Allow the paint to dry fully.

As the paint dries, grab an empty cereal box and cut out a rectangular picture frame. Use a ruler and a pencil to measure a 6-inch by 8-inch or 8-inch by 10-inch rectangle, which should cover a standard 4-inch by 6-inch photograph perfectly. Next, measure a smaller 4-inch by 6-inch rectangle in the center of the large rectangle. This cardboard rectangle will be the picture frame. If your child is confident with safety scissors, you can let them cut the frame along the measured lines.

Once the paint is dry, work together to cut the Styrofoam plates into small squares. These colorful little pieces are like mosaic tiles. Next, use washable craft glue or paste to stick the Styrofoam squares onto the picture frame, allowing your child to create their own pattern or design. 

As the glue dries, cut out one more cardboard rectangle to fit the back of the picture frame. Secure the photograph in the frame’s opening and glue the other cardboard rectangle to the back. Your kids can rest the picture frame against a wall, a bookshelf, or a spot on Dad’s desk for a colorful Father’s Day surprise.

Stamped Grilling Apron

Does Dad love to grill? Make him a cool grilling apron with unique stamps and colors. Purchase a plain apron and fabric paint at your local craft store. Let the kids choose their favorite colors, or go with the shades Dad loves. Next, find some foam paint stamps with fun themes like animals, sports, or cars that match Dad’s style. If your child is learning to read and write, alphabet stamps are an excellent choice to practice spelling out Dad’s favorite meals. 

Bring the craft supplies home, then use paper plates to pour out the fabric paint and dip the foam stampers in. Spread the plain apron out on a flat surface so your kiddos can easily stamp it. Help them press firmly on the stamp to distribute the fabric paint evenly. Peel the stamp off and repeat as desired. Let the paint air dry in time to gift the grilling apron to Dad for an extra special Father’s Day cookout.

Keep Your Kids Crafting at Crème de la Crème

If your child loves crafting for Father’s Day and wants to create some more, enroll them at Crème de la Crème. We provide children with a full scope of education and developmental programs that go beyond daycare, offering them priceless opportunities to grow their imaginations and motor skills. Schedule a tour at your local Crème de la Crème and check out our art studio, where your child will learn, create, and play.

Father and Daughter Drawing Here are by Ketut Subiyanto is licensed with Pexels License