Father’s Day is around the corner, and what better way to celebrate Dad than with a gift made with love? Preschoolers may not be able to buy a gift, but they sure can help create something special!
The problem is that finding the right craft can be tough. You want something meaningful, but also easy enough for little hands to manage. And that’s where I come in!
I’ve put together a list of 20 Father’s Day gift ideas that preschoolers can help create, ensuring a fun activity for the kids and a cherished gift for Dad.
Here are three quick ideas to get us started:
- Handprint Art: A classic for a reason, it’s a personal and adorable keepsake.
- Decorated Picture Frame: Perfect for displaying a favorite photo of Dad and child.
- Homemade Card: Simple, sweet, and straight from the heart.
Let’s get crafty!
🎁 Thoughtful Father’s Day Gift Ideas
-
20 DIY Father’s Day Creations That Kids Made at Home
(And Why Dad Kept #7 For Decades)
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20 Personalized Gifts That Made Even Stoic Dads Break Down
(#12 Has a Secret Meaning)
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20 Household Items Transformed Into Father’s Day Treasures
No One Will Believe You Made Yourself
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20 Grill Master Gifts That Secretly Upgraded Dads’ BBQ Game
Forever (The Reaction to #15!)
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15 Eco-Friendly Upcycled Father’s Day Surprises
That Environmentalist Dads Can’t Stop Talking About
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20 Ways Children’s Artwork Becomes Unforgettable Gifts
(#8 Will Leave Him Speechless)
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20 Photo Gift Ideas So Powerful They’ve Made Fathers Cry
(#11 Is Heartbreaking)
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20 Unexpected Treasures For The Dad Who Claims He Doesn’t Need Anything
(But Can’t Stop Showing Off #6)
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20 Easy Preschooler-Made Gifts That Somehow Look Professional
(The Secret Behind #9)
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20 Tech Gifts For Modern Dads That Combine DIY Heart With Digital Smarts
(How #17 Works Is Amazing)
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20 Outdoor Dad Gifts That Adventure Experts Are Secretly Copying
This Father’s Day
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20 Kitchen Creations For Culinary Dads That Changed How They Cook Forever
(#13 Has Gone Viral)
Explore Main Father’s Day Categories:
1. Handprint Art
Subheading: “Hands-Down the Best Dad”
Handprint art is a timeless classic, and for good reason. It’s a fun, tactile activity for preschoolers, and it creates a precious keepsake that Dad will treasure for years to come. You can make anything from handprint animals to superhero designs.
Why Dad Will Love It: It’s a personal reminder of his little one’s love and how small their hands once were.
What You’ll Need: Non-toxic paint, paper or canvas, brushes.
Price Range: Budget-friendly ($5 – $15)
Pros: Simple, personal, creates a lasting memory.
Cons: Can get messy, requires adult supervision.
Personal Touch: Write a cute message like “Hands down, you’re the best Dad!”
Where to Purchase: Craft stores, online retailers.
2. Decorated Picture Frame
Subheading: “Framing the Memories”
A decorated picture frame is a wonderful way to display a cherished photo of Dad and his preschooler. The child can decorate a plain frame with paint, stickers, glitter, or any other craft supplies.
Why Dad Will Love It: He gets a personalized frame for his desk or bedside table, showcasing a favorite memory.
What You’ll Need: Plain wooden or cardboard frame, paint, stickers, glitter, glue, photo.
Price Range: Budget-friendly ($5 – $20)
Pros: Customizable, practical, displays a treasured photo.
Cons: Requires some drying time.
Personal Touch: Include a recent photo of Dad and the child.
Where to Purchase: Craft stores, dollar stores, online retailers.
3. Homemade Card
Subheading: “A Card from the Heart”
A homemade card is a simple yet heartfelt gift that any dad will appreciate. Preschoolers can draw pictures, add stickers, and even try writing their name (with a little help).
Why Dad Will Love It: It’s a tangible expression of love and effort, straight from the child’s heart.
What You’ll Need: Construction paper or cardstock, crayons, markers, stickers.
Price Range: Budget-friendly ($1 – $5)
Pros: Easy, inexpensive, highly personal.
Cons: Very simple.
Personal Touch: Have the child draw a picture of themselves with their dad.
Where to Purchase: Office supply stores, craft stores.
4. Painted Rock Paperweights
Subheading: “Dad, You Rock!”
Turn ordinary rocks into colorful and functional paperweights for Dad’s office or desk. Preschoolers can use paint and markers to decorate smooth rocks, adding their own artistic flair.
Why Dad Will Love It: It’s a unique and practical gift that he can use daily, reminding him of his little one.
What You’ll Need: Smooth rocks, non-toxic paint, markers, sealant (optional).
Price Range: Budget-friendly ($5 – $10)
Pros: Easy, inexpensive, useful.
Cons: Requires finding suitable rocks.
Personal Touch: Paint a special message like “Dad, you rock!” or his initials on the rock.
Where to Purchase: Craft stores (for paint and sealant), nature (for rocks!).
5. Handprint or Footprint Art Calendar
Subheading: “A Year of Love”
Create a personalized calendar using your child’s handprints or footprints. Each month can feature a different design or theme.
Why Dad Will Love It: It’s a practical and heartwarming gift that he can use all year round.
What You’ll Need: Calendar template, non-toxic paint, paper, markers.
Price Range: Budget-friendly ($10-$20)
Pros: Personalized, practical, lasts all year.
Cons: Requires planning for the whole year.
Personal Touch: Mark important dates like birthdays and anniversaries with special designs.
Where to Purchase: Online printables, craft stores.
6. Decorated Flower Pot
Subheading: “Growing with Love”
Have your preschooler decorate a plain flower pot, and then plant a seed or a small plant in it.
Why Dad Will Love It: It’s a gift that symbolizes growth and the blossoming relationship between him and his child.
What You’ll Need: Terracotta pot, non-toxic paint, soil, seeds or a small plant.
Price Range: Budget-friendly ($10-$25)
Pros: Eco-friendly, promotes nurturing, decorative.
Cons: Requires some gardening knowledge.
Personal Touch: Choose a plant that is easy to care for, like a succulent, and name it after Dad.
Where to Purchase: Garden centers, craft stores.
7. “All About My Dad” Book
Subheading: “My Dad, My Hero”
Create a simple fill-in-the-blank book about Dad. Preschoolers can answer questions like “My dad’s favorite food is…” and draw pictures to go with their answers.
Why Dad Will Love It: It’s a sweet and funny keepsake that captures the child’s unique perspective on their dad.
What You’ll Need: Paper, markers, crayons, stapler or binder.
Price Range: Budget-friendly ($5)
Pros: Heartfelt, easy, captures cute memories.
Cons: Very simple.
Personal Touch: Include questions like “My favorite thing to do with my dad is…”
Where to Purchase: Home supplies.
8. Handprint Tie
Subheading: “Dressed with Love”
Create a “tie” using your child’s handprints on fabric or thick paper.
Why Dad Will Love It: It’s a fun and quirky gift that he can cherish, even if he doesn’t wear it!
What You’ll Need: Fabric or thick paper, non-toxic paint, scissors, ribbon or string.
Price Range: Budget-friendly ($5-$15)
Pros: Unique, personalized, easy.
Cons: Not a traditional tie.
Personal Touch: Write a message like “I love you, Dad” on the tie.
Where to Purchase: Craft stores.
9. Superhero Handprint Art
Subheading: “My Superhero Dad”
Create superhero-themed handprint art. Turn handprints into superheroes with capes, masks, and lightning bolts.
Why Dad Will Love It: Celebrates his superhero status in his child’s eyes.
What You’ll Need: Non-toxic paint, paper, markers, glitter.
Price Range: Budget-friendly ($5-$15)
Pros: Creative, fun, empowering.
Cons: Can get messy.
Personal Touch: Have the child name their superhero dad.
Where to Purchase: Craft stores.
10. Father’s Day Coupon Book
Subheading: “A Book of Treats for Dad”
Preschoolers can help create a coupon book filled with special “treats” for Dad, like a hug, a high-five, or help with chores.
Why Dad Will Love It: It’s a fun and interactive gift that provides ongoing love and appreciation.
What You’ll Need: Paper, markers, stapler or ribbon.
Price Range: Budget-friendly ($5)
Pros: Interactive, fun, promotes bonding.
Cons: Requires some imagination.
Personal Touch: Include coupons for activities they can do together, like “Movie Night with Dad”.
Where to Purchase: Home supplies.
11. Salt Dough Footprint Keepsake
Subheading: “Tiny Footprints, Big Love”
Make a salt dough imprint of your child’s foot and decorate it.
Why Dad Will Love It: It’s a lasting reminder of how small their child’s feet once were.
What You’ll Need: Salt, flour, water, oven, non-toxic paint, sealant.
Price Range: Budget-friendly ($5-$10)
Pros: Durable, personalized, lasting memory.
Cons: Requires baking and adult supervision.
Where to Purchase: Grocery store (for ingredients), craft store (for paint).
12. Decorated Toolbox
Subheading: “Dad’s Little Helper”
Have your preschooler decorate a small toolbox for Dad to store his tools or other small items.
Why Dad Will Love It: It’s a practical and personalized gift, especially for a dad who loves to fix things.
What You’ll Need: Small toolbox, non-toxic paint, stickers, markers.
Price Range: Budget-friendly ($10-$20)
Pros: Practical, personalized, encourages organization.
Cons: Requires a toolbox.
Where to Purchase: Hardware store, craft store.
13. “My Dad Rocks” Jar
Subheading: “Jar of Appreciation”
Decorate a jar and fill it with small notes about why the child thinks their dad is special.
Why Dad Will Love It: It’s a heartwarming and uplifting gift that he can read whenever he needs a smile.
What You’ll Need: Jar, paper, markers, ribbon.
Price Range: Budget-friendly ($5-$10)
Pros: Heartfelt, easy, reusable.
Cons: Requires writing many notes.
Where to Purchase: Craft store, home goods store.
14. Shrinky Dink Keychain
Subheading: “Shrinking Love”
Create a personalized keychain using Shrinky Dink plastic. Preschoolers can draw a picture or write their name, and then you shrink it in the oven.
Why Dad Will Love It: It’s a unique and durable keepsake that he can carry with him every day.
What You’ll Need: Shrinky Dink plastic, markers, scissors, hole punch, keychain.
Price Range: Budget-friendly ($10-$15)
Pros: Unique, durable, personalized.
Cons: Requires oven use and adult supervision.
Where to Purchase: Craft store.
15. Homemade Bath Bombs
Subheading: “Relaxation Station”
Help your preschooler make homemade bath bombs for Dad to enjoy a relaxing bath.
Why Dad Will Love It: It’s a pampering gift that promotes self-care.
What You’ll Need: Baking soda, citric acid, Epsom salt, essential oils, food coloring, molds.
Price Range: Budget-friendly ($15-$20)
Pros: Relaxing, personalized, fun to make.
Cons: Requires adult supervision and specific ingredients.
Where to Purchase: Craft store, online retailers (for ingredients).
16. Decorated Coasters
Subheading: “Drink Up, Dad!”
Have your preschooler decorate plain coasters using paint, markers, or tiles and Mod Podge.
Why Dad Will Love It: It’s a practical and personalized gift that he can use every day.
What You’ll Need: Plain coasters (cork, ceramic, or wood), non-toxic paint, markers, Mod Podge.
Price Range: Budget-friendly ($10-$20)
Pros: Practical, personalized, durable.
Cons: Requires some drying time.
Where to Purchase: Craft store, home goods store.
17. Fingerprint Art
Subheading: “A Masterpiece of Memories”
Create art using your child’s fingerprints. You can make animals, flowers, or abstract designs.
Why Dad Will Love It: It’s a unique and personal piece of art created by his little one.
What You’ll Need: Non-toxic paint, paper, markers.
Price Range: Budget-friendly ($5-$10)
Pros: Easy, creative, personal.
Cons: Can get messy.
Where to Purchase: Craft store.
18. “Reasons I Love My Dad” Cards
Subheading: “Words from the Heart”
Preschoolers can dictate or write (with help) reasons why they love their dad on individual cards, which can then be compiled into a small book or tied together with a ribbon.
Why Dad Will Love It: It’s a heartfelt and touching gift that expresses genuine love and appreciation.
What You’ll Need: Cardstock or paper, markers, pens, ribbon or stapler.
Price Range: Budget-friendly ($5)
Pros: Very personal, heartwarming, encourages expression.
Cons: Requires some writing or dictation.
Where to Purchase: Home supplies.
19. Edible Footprint Art
Subheading: “Sweet Memories”
Create footprint art using edible materials like chocolate spread on toast or a large cookie.
Why Dad Will Love It: It’s a fun and unique gift that he can literally eat up!
What You’ll Need: Bread or large cookie, edible chocolate spread, fruit for decoration.
Price Range: Budget-friendly ($5-$10)
Pros: Fun, unique, edible.
Cons: Not a lasting gift.
Where to Purchase: Grocery store.
20. Decorated Pillowcase
Subheading: “Sweet Dreams, Dad”
Have your preschooler decorate a plain pillowcase with fabric markers or paint.
Why Dad Will Love It: It’s a cozy and personalized gift that he can use every night.
What You’ll Need: Plain pillowcase, fabric markers or paint.
Price Range: Budget-friendly ($10-$20)
Pros: Practical, personalized, encourages creativity.
Cons: Requires fabric-safe materials.
Where to Purchase: Craft store, online retailers.
Conclusion
These 20 Father’s Day gift ideas are not only easy and fun for preschoolers to create but also result in heartfelt and unique presents that any dad will cherish. The best part is that they focus on the process of creating and giving, which is a valuable experience for young children.
Remember, it’s not about the perfection of the gift, but the love and effort that goes into making it.
What are your favorite Father’s Day gifts to make with preschoolers? Share your ideas in the comments below!
Happy Father’s Day to all the amazing dads!
FAQ
Q: Are these gifts suitable for grandfathers or other father figures?
A: Absolutely! These gifts can be adapted for any father figure in a child’s life.
Q: How can I make these gifts even more special?
A: Add a handwritten note from the child, take photos of the child making the gift, or present the gift during a special “unveiling” ceremony.
Q: What are some last-minute options?
A: A handprint card, a decorated jar filled with candy, or a simple drawing of Dad.
Tips for Presentation
- Handmade Wrapping Paper: Let the child decorate plain wrapping paper.
- Personalized Gift Tags: Create tags with the child’s name and a special message.
- Breakfast in Bed: Serve the handmade gift with breakfast in bed.
- Gift Basket: Combine a few small handmade gifts into a gift basket.
