20 DIY Father’s Day Food Gifts: Edible Crafts Kids Can Make

Father’s Day is the perfect opportunity for kids to show their love and appreciation for Dad. But sometimes, finding the right gift can be a challenge. 

Store-bought gifts can be expensive and impersonal, and kids often want to give something they’ve made themselves. The solution? Edible crafts!

I’ve put together 20 fun and easy DIY food gift ideas that kids can make for Father’s Day. 

These gifts are not only delicious but also heartfelt and personalized, making them extra special. We’ll explore a variety of options, from sweet treats to savory snacks, ensuring there’s something perfect for every dad’s taste. 

These edible crafts are a wonderful way for children to get creative in the kitchen, express their feelings, and create lasting memories with their dad.

Here are three quick and easy DIY food gift ideas to get you started:

• “My Dad Rocks” Painted Rocks: Turn ordinary rocks into personalized painted messages for Dad.
• Father’s Day Candy Bouquet: A sweet and colorful bouquet made entirely of Dad’s favorite candies.
• Superhero Snack Mix: A fun and energizing snack mix perfect for a superhero dad.

Let’s explore these and many more edible craft ideas to make this Father’s Day a truly memorable and delicious one!

1. “My Dad Rocks” Painted Rocks

This is a fun and easy craft that combines art and a sweet message. Kids can collect smooth rocks and decorate them with paint to write “My Dad Rocks” or create other fun designs. This craft is not only simple but also allows for a lot of creativity. Kids can use various colors, glitter, and even small embellishments to make their rocks truly unique. The finished rocks can be displayed on Dad’s desk, in his office, or even in the garden as a constant reminder of how much he is loved and appreciated.

• Preparation Time: 30 minutes
• Difficulty Level: Beginner
• Best for: Dads who appreciate handmade gifts

2. Father’s Day Candy Bouquet

This “bouquet” is made entirely of Dad’s favorite candies! Kids can arrange an assortment of treats on skewers and arrange them in a vase or jar. This is a fantastic alternative to a traditional bouquet, especially for dads with a sweet tooth. The best part is that kids can customize it with all of Dad’s preferred candies – chocolates, gummies, lollipops, you name it! They can also get creative with the arrangement, using different heights and colors to make it visually appealing. The candy bouquet can be presented in a decorated vase, a fun-themed jar, or even a personalized mug.

• Preparation Time: 30 minutes
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Best for: Dads with a sweet tooth

3. Superhero Snack Mix

This snack mix is perfect for a superhero dad! Combine ingredients like pretzels, nuts, popcorn, and colorful candies. To make it even more special, consider adding themed ingredients like “Kryptonite” (green candies) or “power pellets” (chocolate-covered nuts). Kids can also design a custom label for the snack mix, featuring superhero logos or a personalized message for Dad. This snack mix is not only tasty but also provides energy for all of Dad’s “superhero” duties.

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Difficulty Level: Beginner
• Best for: Dads who love snack mixes

4. Personalized Father’s Day Mug Cake

Kids can help mix and decorate a mug cake with Dad’s favorite flavors. This is a super quick and easy treat, perfect for a Father’s Day breakfast or dessert. Kids can choose from a variety of cake flavors, like chocolate, vanilla, or even coffee, and then personalize it with toppings like whipped cream, sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or fresh berries. They can also add a small, hand-written note on the side of the mug to make it extra special.

• Preparation Time: 10 minutes
• Cooking Time: 1-2 minutes
• Difficulty Level: Beginner
• Best for: Dads who love cake

5. DIY Spice Rubs

Kids can help measure and mix spices to create a personalized rub for grilling or cooking. This is a great gift for dads who love to cook or grill. You can create a variety of spice rub blends, such as a smoky BBQ rub, a zesty citrus rub, or a savory herb rub. Kids can help measure out the spices, mix them together, and even design a custom label for the spice jar.

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Best for: Dads who love to grill

6. “World’s Best Dad” Cookies

Kids can bake and decorate cookies with messages for Dad. These aren’t just any cookies; they’re a delicious way to tell Dad how much he’s loved! Kids can use cookie cutters in fun shapes, like stars, hearts, or even letters to spell out “Dad”. Then, they can decorate them with colorful frosting, sprinkles, and edible markers to write personalized messages like “World’s Best Dad” or “I Love You, Dad”.

• Preparation Time: 30 minutes
• Cooking Time: 10-15 minutes
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Best for: Dads who love cookies

7. Homemade Trail Mix

Combine Dad’s favorite nuts, dried fruits, and other snacks for a personalized trail mix. This is a healthy and customizable snack that’s perfect for dads on the go. Kids can help choose the ingredients, such as almonds, cashews, raisins, cranberries, chocolate chips, and even small candies. They can then mix everything together and package it in a decorated jar or bag.

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Difficulty Level: Beginner
• Best for: Dads who love to snack

8. Father’s Day Photo Coasters

Kids can decorate blank coasters with photos of themselves with Dad. This is a practical and sentimental gift that Dad can use every day. Kids can use Mod Podge to attach photos to the coasters and then seal them with a protective finish. They can also add other decorations, such as paint, glitter, or small embellishments.

• Preparation Time: 30 minutes
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Best for: Dads who love personalized gifts

9. Chocolate-Covered Pretzels

Dip pretzels in melted chocolate and decorate them with sprinkles or other candies. This is a simple yet elegant treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Kids can use different types of chocolate, such as milk, dark, or white, and then decorate the pretzels with a variety of toppings, such as colorful sprinkles, chopped nuts, or mini chocolate chips.

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Difficulty Level: Beginner
• Best for: Dads who love chocolate

10. “Dad Rocks” Candy Jars

Decorate jars and fill them with Dad’s favorite candies. This is a fun and easy way to present Dad with his favorite sweet treats. Kids can decorate the jars with paint, stickers, ribbons, and even small rocks to reinforce the “Dad Rocks” theme.

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Difficulty Level: Beginner
• Best for: Dads who love candy

11. DIY BBQ Sauce

Kids can help mix ingredients for a homemade BBQ sauce. This is a delicious and personalized gift for dads who love to grill. You can customize the sauce to Dad’s taste preferences, making it sweet, smoky, or spicy. Kids can help measure the ingredients and stir them together, and you can even let them design a custom label for the bottle.

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 20-30 minutes
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Best for: Dads who love BBQ

12. Father’s Day Breakfast Parfaits

Layer yogurt, granola, and fruit in a jar or glass for a healthy and delicious breakfast treat. This is a great way for kids to help create a special breakfast for Dad. They can layer his favorite yogurt (Greek, vanilla, or flavored) with crunchy granola and colorful fruits like berries, bananas, and peaches.

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Difficulty Level: Beginner
• Best for: Dads who love breakfast

13. Homemade Lemonade Mix

Combine sugar, lemon zest, and other ingredients for a refreshing lemonade mix. This is a perfect gift for dads who enjoy a cool drink on a hot day. Kids can help zest the lemons, measure the ingredients, and decorate the jar or container that holds the mix. You can also add other flavorings, such as mint or lavender, for a unique twist.

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Difficulty Level: Beginner
• Best for: Dads who love refreshing drinks

14. Personalized Popcorn Mix

Combine different flavors of popcorn with Dad’s favorite toppings. This is a fun and easy snack that’s perfect for movie nights or game days. Kids can get creative with different popcorn flavors (butter, cheese, caramel) and toppings like nuts, chocolate candies, pretzels, and even small candies.

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Difficulty Level: Beginner
• Best for: Dads who love popcorn

15. DIY Infused Oils

Infuse olive oil with herbs or spices for a gourmet gift. This is a sophisticated and flavorful gift that any dad who loves to cook will appreciate. You can use herbs like rosemary, thyme, or basil, or spices like garlic or chili flakes. Kids can help wash and dry the herbs, and carefully place them in the oil.

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Best for: Dads who love to cook

16. Father’s Day Fruit Kabobs

Thread chunks of fruit onto skewers for a healthy and colorful treat. This is a simple yet elegant gift that’s perfect for a light snack or dessert. Kids can have fun choosing their favorite fruits, like strawberries, melon, pineapple, and grapes, and arranging them on the skewers in a colorful and appealing way.

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Difficulty Level: Beginner
• Best for: Dads who love fruit

17. Homemade Granola

Kids can help mix ingredients for a batch of homemade granola. This is a healthy and hearty gift that’s perfect for breakfast or a snack. You can customize the granola with Dad’s favorite ingredients, such as oats, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and a touch of sweetness like honey or maple syrup.

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 20-30 minutes
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Best for: Dads who love granola

18. “Dad’s Stache” Jar

Decorate a jar and fill it with mustache-shaped candies or snacks. This is a fun and silly gift that’s perfect for dads with a good sense of humor. You can find mustache-shaped candies or cookies online or in specialty stores, or you can even cut out mustache shapes from other snacks like brownies or fruit leather.

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Difficulty Level: Beginner
• Best for: Dads with a sense of humor

19. DIY Flavored Salts

Combine sea salt with herbs or spices for a gourmet seasoning. This is a simple yet sophisticated gift that can elevate any dish. You can create a variety of flavored salts, such as rosemary salt, garlic salt, or chili salt. Kids can help mix the salt with the herbs or spices and package it in a decorated jar or container.

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Best for: Dads who love to cook

20. Father’s Day Pizza Bites

Kids can assemble mini pizzas using English muffins or bagels and Dad’s favorite toppings. This is a fun and easy meal or snack that the whole family can enjoy making together. Kids can get creative with the toppings, choosing from classics like pepperoni and cheese to more adventurous options like vegetables, ham, or pineapple.

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 10-15 minutes
• Difficulty Level: Beginner
• Best for: Dads who love pizza

FAQ Section

Q: What if Dad has dietary restrictions?

A: Many of these recipes can be adapted! Use sugar-free candies, gluten-free ingredients, or focus on fruit-based gifts. For example, you can make a sugar-free version of the candy bouquet, use gluten-free oats for the granola, or create a beautiful fruit basket.

Q: How can kids personalize these gifts?

A: Kids can decorate packaging, add handmade cards, or choose Dad’s favorite flavors and colors. They can also add personal touches to the recipes themselves, such as using cookie cutters in the shape of Dad’s favorite things or adding a special ingredient that Dad loves.

Q: What age are these crafts suitable for?

A: Most of these crafts are suitable for a wide range of ages, with adult supervision as needed. Younger children can help with simple tasks like mixing ingredients or decorating, while older children can take on more complex steps like baking or using kitchen tools.

Menu Planning Tips

• Breakfast in Bed: Mug Cake, Fruit Kabobs, Breakfast Parfaits
• Snack Time: Snack Mix, Popcorn Mix, Trail Mix
• Gourmet Gifts: Spice Rubs, Infused Oils, Flavored Salts
• Sweet Treats: Candy Bouquet, Chocolate-Covered Pretzels, Decorated Cookies

Last-Minute Options

• Decorate a store-bought treat.
• Assemble a simple snack basket.
• Make a quick card to go with the gift.