Father’s Day crafts for kids are one of the most heartfelt gifts a child can give — and the good news is, they don’t need to be complicated! Whether it’s a wobbly handprint, a sweet fill-in card, or a craft they spent all afternoon on, dads treasure these more than anything from a store.
In this post, I’ve rounded up 20 simple Father’s Day crafts for kids organised by age so you can find something that’s just right for your child. From toddlers to school-age kids, there’s something here for every little maker!
Want a FREE Father’s Day printable? Scroll to the bottom of this post to grab your free “All About My Dad” fill-in printable — it makes the sweetest gift!
🧸 For Toddlers (Ages 1–3)
These Father’s Day crafts for kids this young are all about adorable handprints, footprints, and simple sensory-friendly making. Expect mess — and magic!
1. Salt Dough Handprint Keepsake
Mix 1 cup flour, ½ cup salt, and ½ cup water into a smooth dough. Press your toddler’s hand in, cut into a circle or heart shape, and bake at 150°C for 2–3 hours until hard. Once cool, paint and seal with Mod Podge. Dad will keep this forever.
You’ll need: Flour, salt, water, rolling pin, acrylic paint
2. Handprint Tie Card
Fold a piece of cardstock in half. Paint your toddler’s hand and press it in the centre — that’s the tie! Draw on a collar and shirt around it and write “Happy Father’s Day, Tie-riffic Dad!” inside.
You’ll need: Cardstock, any paint, marker
3. Fingerprint Flower Pot Card
Draw or stamp a simple pot on card, then let your toddler press painted fingerprints above it to make flower petals and leaves. Bright, cheerful, and totally unique.
You’ll need: Cardstock, washable paint, marker for stems
4. Footprint Fish or Penguin
Press your toddler’s foot onto blue or black paper — the foot becomes the body of a fish or penguin! Add googly eyes and detail with markers. Frame it for a gift Dad will actually display.
You’ll need: Paper, paint, googly eyes, markers
5. Bubble Wrap Printed Card
Let toddlers roll a paint-covered piece of bubble wrap over cardstock for a colourful textured background. Write a message on top once dry. Super easy and so satisfying for little hands!
You’ll need: Bubble wrap, paint, roller or sponge, cardstock
🖍️ For Preschoolers (Ages 3–5)
Father’s Day crafts for kids in the preschool years are a little more involved — and a lot more fun. At this age, kids can hold scissors (with supervision!), follow simple steps, and love seeing their creations come together.
6. “World’s Best Dad” Decorated Mug
Pick up a plain white mug and let your preschooler draw on it with oil-based Sharpies or special porcelain markers. Bake at 180°C for 30 minutes to set the design. A gift Dad can use every single morning!
You’ll need: Plain white mug, oil-based Sharpie markers, oven
7. Paper Tie Bookmark
Cut a tie shape out of cardstock. Let your child decorate it with stickers, washi tape, or crayon patterns, then laminate or cover with sticky-back plastic. Punch a hole at the top and thread a ribbon through. A sweet gift for a bookish dad!
You’ll need: Cardstock, scissors, decorations, ribbon
8. Coupon Booklet
Help your child make a little booklet of coupons for Dad — “1 free cuddle,” “breakfast in bed,” “choose the movie tonight.” Let them illustrate each one. Simple, heartfelt, and Dad will LOVE cashing these in.
You’ll need: Paper, stapler or hole punch + ribbon, crayons
9. Painted Rock Paperweight
Find a smooth, flat stone (or buy craft stones from a dollar store). Let your child paint it with a fun design, their name, or “I love you, Dad!” Seal with clear varnish once dry. A gift that sits on his desk every day.
You’ll need: Smooth stone, acrylic paint, varnish/Mod Podge
10. Superhero Cape Drawing
Cut a cape shape out of paper or fabric-look card. Let your child decorate Dad’s superhero emblem, write his superpower (“Super Hugger!” “Best BBQ Dad!”), and sign their name. Frame it or pop it in a card.
You’ll need: Cardstock or coloured paper, scissors, markers/crayons
11. “All About My Dad” Printable Fill-In
This is where our FREE printable comes in! Print the sheet and let your child fill in or draw answers to sweet questions like:
- “My dad is as tall as ___”
- “His favourite food is ___”
- “My dad is the best because ___”
It’s one of those Father’s Day crafts for kids that dads read over and over. Grab your free copy below — I’ll send it straight to your inbox!
📚 For School-Age Kids (Ages 6–10)
Older kids can take on more detailed Father’s Day crafts with more independence. These ideas let them express their creativity and put genuine effort into something special.
12. Memory Jar
Decorate a mason jar with paint, washi tape, or ribbon. Cut strips of paper and have your child write down their favourite memories with Dad — funny moments, trips, things he says. Fill the jar and tie with a bow. Dad can read one every day.
You’ll need: Mason jar, paper strips, pen, decorations
13. Origami Shirt Card
Fold a piece of square paper into a shirt shape (there are loads of easy tutorials on YouTube!). Glue to a piece of cardstock and write your message on the back. Kids feel SO proud when they master this.
You’ll need: Square paper in any colour, glue, cardstock
14. DIY Photo Frame
Paint or decorate a plain wooden photo frame (available cheaply at craft stores). Let your child personalise it with their name, the year, favourite colours, or little drawings. Add a favourite photo of them with Dad inside.
You’ll need: Plain wooden frame, paint, decorations, photo
15. Personalised Tote Bag
Get a plain canvas tote and fabric paints. Let your child paint on a design, handprints, or a message. A bag Dad can actually use — and one he’ll be proud to carry.
You’ll need: Plain canvas tote, fabric paint, brushes
16. Hand-Lettered Bookmark
School-age kids often love learning hand lettering! Help them write a favourite quote, joke, or “Dad’s Book Belongs to ___” on a bookmark cut from cardstock. Decorate and laminate. A simple but thoughtful gift.
You’ll need: Cardstock, markers, laminator or sticky-back plastic
17. Lego / Mini Figure Scene in a Box
For crafty kids who love Lego — build a little scene inside a shoebox lid depicting one of Dad’s interests (fishing, football, coding, cooking). Add a label: “Dad’s World.” The planning and building is the craft — and it’s incredibly personal.
You’ll need: Shoebox lid, Lego or craft supplies
18. “Interview with Dad” Booklet
Your child interviews Dad and records his answers: “What was your first job?” “What’s your favourite childhood memory?” “What do you want to do when you grow up?” (yes, ask it!) — then illustrates it and binds it into a little book. A family treasure in the making.
You’ll need: Paper, stapler, pen, crayons for illustrations
19. Painted Plant Pot with Herb
Buy a small terracotta pot, let your child paint and decorate it, then plant a herb inside (mint, basil, or rosemary are easy). Add a little flag that says “Grow old with me, Dad 🌿” — or something funnier!
You’ll need: Terracotta pot, paint, soil, herb seedling
20. Custom Bookmark with Favourite Quote
Help your child find Dad’s favourite quote, song lyric, or inside joke. Write and illustrate it on a bookmark. Laminate or cover with contact paper. For bookish dads, this is the perfect gift.
You’ll need: Cardstock, markers, laminator
🎁 Free Father’s Day Printable: “All About My Dad”
I’ve created a beautiful free “All About My Dad” fill-in printable just for you — perfect for kids aged 3–8 to complete and give as a gift!
What’s included:
- Illustrated fill-in prompts (“My dad is as tall as…”, “His superpower is…”)
- A space for a drawing or photo
- A “My dad is the best because…” section for heartfelt words
- Printable on A4 or US Letter
👉 Click here to grab your FREE printable! (Enter your email and I’ll send it straight to your inbox — plus you’ll join my list for more free activities, printables, and creative ideas for kids!)
Pin It for Later! 📌
Love these ideas? Save this post to your Father’s Day or Kids Crafts board on Pinterest so you can find it again easily!
Happy crafting, and happy Father’s Day to all the wonderful dads out there! 💛
— Mayuri, The Creative Mom
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