Father’s Day is coming up fast, and if you’re after a gift idea that’s more thoughtful than another pair of socks, a handmade craft is always a winner. Kids love the process just as much as the finished product, and Dad, Pop or Grandpa will love that it came from little hands.
Below are eight simple, low-cost gifts you can put together with things you probably already have at home, plus a couple of Kmart or supermarket buys. Most of these work well for toddlers right through to primary school aged kids, with a bit more help needed for the younger ones.
A few things to keep in mind before you start. Adult supervision is a must, and depending on your child’s age you’ll likely need to do some of the steps yourself. Craft time can get messy, so lay down some newspaper or an old sheet and pop the kids into old clothes before you begin.
While we’ve framed these as Father’s Day gifts, they work just as well for birthdays, Christmas, Mother’s Day or a teacher gift, so keep this list handy for later in the year too.
Decorated Plate, Mug or BowlThis one is a firm favourite because it turns into something genuinely useful. Once it’s finished, fill it with Dad’s favourite chocolates, biscuits or a slice, wrap it in cellophane and tie it off with a ribbon for an extra special touch.
What you need: A plain porcelain plate, mug or bowl (Kmart often has these for under a dollar) and Sharpies in a few different colours.
How to make it: Wash and dry the plate thoroughly before you start. Let the kids decorate it with the Sharpies, the more colourful the better, then leave it for at least 24 hours before baking. Place the plate into a cold oven and set the temperature to 220 degrees. Once the oven reaches temperature, bake for 30 minutes, then turn the oven off and leave the plate inside until both the oven and plate have fully cooled. Fill with Dad’s favourite treats and wrap in cellophane with a ribbon if you’d like to dress it up. The baking process is what sets the design, so don’t skip it, and these are hand wash only from here on.
Painted Rock Photo Holder
A sweet little keepsake for a desk or bedside table, and Dad will love it even more knowing it’s handmade.
What you need: A smooth rock, acrylic paints, clear varnish (optional), craft or floral wire, a selection of beads, and a photo of the kids or any photo Dad would love to see every day.
How to make it: Wash and dry the rock, then let the kids paint and decorate it. Once dry, seal with a clear varnish if you’d like extra durability. Wrap one end of the wire around the rock and twist to secure, then thread on a few beads. Wrap the other end of the wire two or three times around a thick marker to form a loop at the top. Slot the photo into the loop and it’s ready to gift.
Decorated HammerEvery dad can use a hammer, and this one will bring a smile every time he reaches for the toolbox.
What you need: A hammer with a wooden handle, a small piece of sandpaper, Sharpies, and clear varnish.
How to make it: Lightly sand the handle, especially if it has a glossy finish. Let the kids decorate the handle with Sharpies. Older kids might like to write a message, and younger ones can be helped along. Finish with one or two coats of clear varnish to protect the design.
Father’s Day Certificate
A simple one for the younger kids, and it can be rolled up with a ribbon or popped into a frame for Dad’s office.
What you need: A “Greatest Dad” printable certificate and colouring pencils, crayons or markers.
How to make it: Search online for a free Father’s Day certificate colouring page, choose your favourite and print it out. Let the kids colour and decorate it however they like. If you’re making one for Pop or Grandad too, try searching “we love you Pop colouring page” or “best Grandad colouring page” for a version just for them.
Homemade BBQ Spice Rub
A great option for the dads who love to fire up the barbecue. This rub works on beef, pork, chicken, fish or vegetables.
What you need: A small, clear jar (an empty coffee jar works well), 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup white or raw sugar, 1/4 cup paprika, 2 tbsp salt, 1 tbsp chilli powder (optional), 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp cayenne pepper and 1 tsp cumin.
How to make it: Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl, then transfer to the jar. Add a label with the date, along with a note that it keeps in the fridge for up to a month and suits any meat or vegetables.
Decorated Tie Photo Prop
This one doubles as a photo prop and a keepsake, and some families like to bring it out every Father’s Day as a little tradition.
What you need: Cardboard, pencils, markers, glitter or stickers to decorate, a hole punch, and elastic.
How to make it: Draw a tie shape onto the cardboard with small tabs at the top, then let the kids decorate it as brightly as they like. Punch a hole in each tab and thread elastic through both, sized to fit over Dad’s head, then secure at each end.
Jar of Home-baked Treats
Baking with the kids is half the fun here, and a packet mix works perfectly if you’re short on time.
What you need: A large, clear, empty jar, ingredients or a packet mix for a slice or biscuits, and a bit of patience for baking with kids in the kitchen.
How to make it: Prepare the biscuits or slice as per the recipe or packet instructions. If making a slice, cut it into small squares once cooled, then taste test a couple just to be sure. Fill the jar for Dad and share around the leftovers.
Looking for more baking inspiration? Here are 10 more Kid-friendly Baking Recipes.
6 Breakfast in Bed Ideas for Father’s Day
No Father’s Day is complete without breakfast in bed. Here are a few ways to make it special without too much extra effort.
Thread fruit onto skewers with mini pancakes, protein balls or donut holes, then finish with a light drizzle of honey for breakfast skewers the kids will love making.
Make pancakes in the shape of a D and an A to spell DAD, then top with fresh berries and a dust of icing sugar.
Try beer and bacon pancakes by adding half a cup of beer and some fried bacon bits to a regular pancake mix.
Slice a red or green capsicum into rings and use them as egg rings for a fun twist on fried eggs, served on buttered toast.
Go all out with a big breakfast of bacon, eggs however Dad likes them, hash browns and fried tomato, with toast on the side.
For the health-conscious dads, whip up a smoothie with fresh fruit, yoghurt, almond or coconut milk and any greens he’ll actually drink.