Handmade Happiness: 10 Awesome DIY Craft Activities for Kids & Dads This Father’s Day 2025!

Looking for a Father’s Day gift that comes straight from the heart and creates some awesome memories in the process? 

Forget the usual store-bought tie this year! We’re talking about rolling up your sleeves and diving into some delightful DIY craft activities that kids and dads can enjoy together. 

But maybe you’re thinking, “Crafts? With kids? Sounds like a recipe for mess and stress!” or “Will Dad even be into this?”

Worry no more! We’ve curated a list of 10 fantastic DIY craft activities for Father’s Day 2025 that are designed for maximum fun, minimal fuss, and a whole lot of bonding. 

These aren’t just about the end product; they’re about the giggles, the teamwork, and the joy of creating something special side-by-side. 

My daughter and her dad still have the slightly lopsided ‘monster’ they built out of cardboard tubes and googly eyes for Father’s Day years ago. It wasn’t perfect, but the giggles they shared making it? That was the real masterpiece.

• 🎨 Easy-to-follow crafts perfect for all ages and skill levels.
• ❤️ Create heartfelt keepsakes Dad will treasure for years to come.
• ✨ Focus on fun and connection – making memories is the best part!

Let’s get crafty and make this Father’s Day extra special!

Our Top 10 DIY Craft Adventures for Dad & Kids

Get ready to unleash some creativity! These projects are designed for kids to do with Dad, or for Dad with a little help from another adult if it’s a surprise.

1. The “Best Dad, Hands Down!” Handprint Canvas

Why Dad Will Love It: This classic keepsake is a heartwarming snapshot in time. Dad will cherish seeing those little handprints and knowing this was made with so much love. It’s a visual reminder of his amazing kids.

• ⏱️ Time: Prep: 10 mins, Crafting: 30-45 mins (plus drying)
• 💰 Budget: $ (canvas, paint)
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Kids’ Ages: All ages! (Baby handprints are adorable, older kids can help paint.)
• 🎨 Mess Factor: Medium (Washable paint is your friend!)
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Adult Help Needed: Yes, for guiding little hands and writing.

Simple Steps:

1. Get a blank canvas (any size works, 8×10 or 9×12 inches are good).
2. Have kids choose a few of Dad’s favorite paint colors.
3. Help kids carefully press their painted hands onto the canvas. You can do individual prints or overlap them.
4. Once dry, an adult or older child can write “Best Dad, Hands Down!” or “Happy Father’s Day 2025” and the kids’ names/ages.
5. Optional: Decorate around the handprints with more paint, glitter, or stickers once the main prints are dry.

Pro Tip: Practice on a piece of paper first! Have wipes ready for quick cleanup. For a less messy version, trace hands onto colored paper, cut out, and glue them onto the canvas.

Memory Maker: This canvas becomes a treasured piece of wall art that Dad can look at every day, remembering this sweet moment.

2. “Dad Rocks!” Painted Paperweights

Why Dad Will Love It: A practical and personal gift for Dad’s desk at home or work. Every time he sees his cool, kid-decorated rock, he’ll smile and think of his little artists.

• ⏱️ Time: Prep: 30 mins (finding/washing rocks), Crafting: 1 hour (plus drying)
• 💰 Budget: $ (rocks can be free, paint, markers)
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Kids’ Ages: 3+ (younger kids can paint, older kids can add details)
• 🎨 Mess Factor: Medium
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Adult Help Needed: Minimal, perhaps for sealing.

Simple Steps:

1. Go on a nature walk with Dad and the kids to find smooth, flat(ish) rocks. Or, grab some from a craft store.
2. Wash and thoroughly dry the rocks.
3. Let kids paint the rocks with acrylic paints in fun colors and patterns.
4. Once the paint is dry, they can add details with paint pens or permanent markers: “Dad Rocks!,” “My Dad My Rock,” “#1 Dad,” or draw little pictures of things Dad likes.
5. Optional: An adult can spray the rocks with a clear acrylic sealant to protect the artwork.

Pro Tip: For a collaborative touch, Dad can paint a base coat on a large rock, and then kids can add their designs on top once it’s dry.

Memory Maker: These colorful rocks are a daily reminder of his kids’ love and creativity, and a fun story to tell colleagues.

3. Personalized “All About My Dad” Book or Fill-in-the-Blanks Page

Why Dad Will Love It: This is a hilarious and heartwarming glimpse into how his kids see him. Dad will treasure reading their honest (and often funny) answers and drawings.

• ⏱️ Time: Prep: 15 mins (printing/gathering supplies), Crafting: 30-60 mins
• 💰 Budget: $ (paper, crayons, markers)
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Kids’ Ages: 4+ (younger kids can dictate answers, older kids can write and draw)
• 🎨 Mess Factor: Low
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Adult Help Needed: To help younger kids write or scribe their answers.

Simple Steps:

1. Create a simple booklet or use a printable template (search “All About My Dad printable”).
2. Include prompts like: “My Dad is ___ years old,” “My Dad’s job is ___,” “My Dad is best at ___,” “My Dad makes me laugh when ___,” “I love my Dad because ___.”
3. Have kids fill in the blanks with their answers and draw pictures to illustrate each page.
4. Compile the pages and staple them together or tie with ribbon.
5. Let the kids present it to Dad and read it aloud with him.

Pro Tip: Record a video of the kids reading their answers to Dad – it adds an extra layer of preciousness!

Memory Maker: This book becomes a time capsule of the kids’ thoughts and perceptions, something Dad will laugh over and cherish for years.

4. DIY “Dad’s Coupon Book” of Treats & Favors

Why Dad Will Love It: It’s the gift that keeps on giving! Dad will love cashing in these personalized coupons for hugs, help with chores, or his favorite home-cooked meal.

• ⏱️ Time: Prep: 10 mins, Crafting: 30-45 mins
• 💰 Budget: $ (paper, decorating supplies)
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Kids’ Ages: 5+ (can help brainstorm and decorate)
• 🎨 Mess Factor: Low
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Adult Help Needed: To help write and assemble.

Simple Steps:

1. Cut colorful paper or cardstock into coupon-sized rectangles.
2. Brainstorm with the kids (and Dad if he’s involved in making them with the kids!) things Dad would appreciate: “One Free Hug,” “Help with Yard Work,” “Control of the TV Remote for One Night,” “Breakfast in Bed,” “Quiet Time.”
3. Kids write or draw the coupon offer on each slip.
4. Decorate the coupons with drawings, stickers, or glitter.
5. Staple the coupons together to make a booklet or tie them with a ribbon.

Pro Tip: Include a “Wild Card” coupon that Dad can redeem for (almost) anything he wants!

Memory Maker: Dad will enjoy the anticipation of using his coupons, and the acts of service and love are meaningful long after Father’s Day.

5. Upcycled Tin Can Desk Organizer or Planter

Why Dad Will Love It: A practical and eco-friendly gift! Dad can use this to keep his desk tidy or to house a small plant, and he’ll appreciate the resourceful creativity. This hits the 2025 trend of sustainable crafting!

• ⏱️ Time: Prep: 15 mins (cleaning cans), Crafting: 45-60 mins (plus drying)
• 💰 Budget: $ (uses recyclables, paint/decorations)
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Kids’ Ages: 4+ (with supervision for can edges)
• 🎨 Mess Factor: Medium
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Adult Help Needed: To ensure can edges are safe and for any hot gluing.

Simple Steps:

1. Thoroughly clean empty tin cans (beans, soup, etc.). Ensure there are no sharp edges (an adult can file them down or cover with duct tape).
2. Kids (and Dad!) can paint the cans with acrylic paints.
3. Once dry, decorate further: glue on buttons, twine, fabric scraps, small pebbles, or draw designs with permanent markers.
4. If making a planter, an adult can help poke a few drainage holes in the bottom.
5. Arrange a few decorated cans together to create a multi-compartment organizer or fill one with soil and a small succulent for Dad.

Pro Tip: Glue a few decorated cans of different heights onto a piece of sturdy cardboard or thin wood to create a more stable, larger desk caddy.

Memory Maker: A useful item that Dad sees daily, reminding him of the fun, eco-conscious crafting session and his creative kids.

6. “Our Family Story Stones” Collaborative Creation

Why Dad Will Love It: This is a wonderful imaginative play and storytelling tool that Dad and the kids can create and use together. It encourages creativity and family interaction.

• ⏱️ Time: Prep: 30 mins (finding/washing stones), Crafting: 1-1.5 hours (plus drying)
• 💰 Budget: $ (stones can be free, paint/markers)
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Kids’ Ages: 3+
• 🎨 Mess Factor: Medium
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Adult Help Needed: Minimal, perhaps for sealing.

Simple Steps:

1. Collect smooth, flat(ish) stones – enough for each family member to decorate several.
2. Wash and dry the stones.
3. Using acrylic paints or permanent markers, each person (including Dad!) draws simple pictures on their stones: a sun, a house, a car, a dog, a heart, a character, a tree, etc.
4. Let them dry completely. Optionally, seal with a clear acrylic spray.
5. Once done, put all the stones in a bag. To play, pull out a few stones at random and take turns telling a story incorporating the images.

Pro Tip: Choose a theme for your story stones, like “Adventure,” “Silly Monsters,” or “Our Family.”

Memory Maker: The process of creating the stones together is fun, and the ongoing joy of collaborative storytelling with Dad using your unique stones is a gift that fosters connection.

7. Personalized Photo Frame with a Favorite Memory

Why Dad Will Love It: A cherished photo becomes even more special when housed in a frame decorated by his kids. It’s a classic gift that always brings a smile.

• ⏱️ Time: Prep: 15 mins (printing photo, getting frame), Crafting: 30-45 mins
• 💰 Budget: −$ (plain frame, decorating supplies)
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Kids’ Ages: All ages can participate in decorating.
• 🎨 Mess Factor: Low to Medium, depending on materials.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Adult Help Needed: For handling small items or hot glue if used.

Simple Steps:

1. Start with a plain wooden or cardboard craft frame (available at dollar stores or craft shops).
2. Let kids decorate the frame using paints, markers, stickers, buttons, small shells, puzzle pieces, or even small Lego bricks glued on.
3. Dad can join in the decorating fun if this is a collaborative activity.
4. Choose a favorite photo of Dad with the kids (or the whole family).
5. Once the frame is dry, insert the photo.

Pro Tip: Use washi tape for a less messy way to add color and pattern to the frame.

Memory Maker: A beautiful display piece for Dad’s office or bedside table, constantly reminding him of a happy moment and his kids’ artistic touch.

8. DIY “King of the Grill/Garden/Remote” Crown

Why Dad Will Love It: A playful craft that crowns Dad “King” for the day (or longer!). He’ll get a kick out of the title and the kids’ efforts to make him feel like royalty.

• ⏱️ Time: Prep: 10 mins, Crafting: 30 mins
• 💰 Budget: $ (cardstock, craft supplies)
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Kids’ Ages: 3+
• 🎨 Mess Factor: Low
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Adult Help Needed: To help with cutting and fitting.

Simple Steps:

1. Cut a long strip of sturdy cardstock or poster board, wide enough to be a crown.
2. Let the kids decorate it! They can paint it gold or Dad’s favorite color, glue on craft gems, glitter, pom-poms, or draw symbols related to what he’s “King” of (e.g., spatulas for “King of the Grill,” tools for “King of DIY”).
3. Help fit the crown to Dad’s head and staple or tape it to size.
4. Present it to Dad with a flourish and let him wear it proudly for his Father’s Day festivities.
5. Kids and Dad can make crowns together, each choosing their own “royal” title.

Pro Tip: Take lots of photos of Dad wearing his crown! It’s a fun photo op.

Memory Maker: The playful act of “crowning” Dad and the silly photos will be a joyful memory for everyone.

9. “Building Memories” with LEGO or Building Blocks

Why Dad Will Love It: This is less about a take-away craft and more about the shared experience of building and creating together. Many dads love building blocks just as much as kids do!

• ⏱️ Time: Prep: 5 mins, Crafting/Playing: 1 hour or more!
• 💰 Budget: $ (uses existing toys)
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Kids’ Ages: All ages who play with blocks.
• 🎨 Mess Factor: Low (unless a tower topples dramatically!)
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Adult Help Needed: Only to join in the fun!

Simple Steps:

1. Gather all your LEGO bricks, Duplo, or other building blocks.
2. Set a challenge: “Build Dad’s dream car,” “Create a futuristic city,” “Build a castle for King Dad,” or just have a free-build session.
3. Work together as a team, or Dad and kids can each build their own creations and then show them off.
4. Take photos of the final masterpieces with their proud builders.
5. The “craft” can be the photos you take, arranged in a collage.

Pro Tip: Make it a “timed challenge” for older kids and Dad for an extra bit of excitement.

Memory Maker: The focused time spent collaborating, problem-solving, and imagining together strengthens bonds and creates fun, playful memories.

10. Decorate-a-Mug (or T-shirt) for Dad

Why Dad Will Love It: A personalized mug for his morning coffee or a T-shirt designed by his kids is both practical and incredibly sweet. He’ll use it with pride.

• ⏱️ Time: Prep: 15 mins, Crafting: 30-60 mins (plus baking time for some mugs)
• 💰 Budget: −$ (plain mug/T-shirt, special markers/paints)
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Kids’ Ages: 4+
• 🎨 Mess Factor: Medium
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Adult Help Needed: For handling permanent markers and any oven-setting processes.

Simple Steps:

1. For a Mug: Get a plain white ceramic mug. Use oil-based Sharpie markers or special ceramic paint pens for kids to draw designs, write messages (“Best Dad,” “I Love You, Dad”), or create abstract art. (For Sharpies, bake at 350°F/175°C for 30 mins to set – adult only).
2. For a T-shirt: Get a plain light-colored T-shirt in Dad’s size. Use fabric markers or fabric paints. Kids can draw pictures, write messages, or make handprints. Lay cardboard inside the shirt to prevent bleed-through. Follow fabric paint instructions for setting (usually ironing – adult only).
3. Dad can join in making his own, or kids can make it as a surprise.

Pro Tip: Simple designs and handprints are often the most charming. Don’t aim for perfection.

Memory Maker: Every time Dad sips from his special mug or wears his custom T-shirt, he’ll be reminded of his kids’ love and this fun crafting session.

Father’s Day Crafting FAQs

• How do I keep craft time from becoming a glitter explosion (and other messes)? Cover your work surface well (newspaper, old tablecloth). Use washable paints and glues where possible. Have wipes and paper towels handy. An art smock or old T-shirt for kids (and Dad!) is a must. Confine glitter to one specific project or area if you dare use it!
• My kids have short attention spans – any tips for keeping them engaged? Choose simpler crafts with fewer steps. Break down longer projects into smaller chunks. Let them choose colors or elements of the design. Play some music. And most importantly, focus on the fun of doing it together, not on a perfect result.
• Dad thinks he’s “all thumbs” with crafts – how can he get involved? Many of these crafts are about simple actions! Dad can help hold things, choose colors, offer ideas, trace hands, or do the “less artistic” parts like cutting straight lines (if kids are too young). His main role can be chief encourager and quality time spender!

Budget Hacks for Your Crafty Creations

Handmade doesn’t mean expensive!

• The Amazing Recycled Materials Art Bin: Start saving toilet paper tubes, egg cartons, tin cans, plastic bottles, old magazines, and fabric scraps. These are craft gold!
• Nature’s Craft Store (Your Backyard!): Rocks, twigs, leaves, and pinecones can be used for countless projects.
• Dollar Store Craft Haul: Dollar stores are fantastic for basics like construction paper, glue, glitter, pom-poms, and sometimes even plain wooden frames or mugs.
• Use What You Have: Look through your existing art supplies before buying new. Crayons, markers, and basic paints go a long way.

Last-Minute Wins (Crafts in a Flash!)

Short on time? You can still make something heartfelt:

1. “All About My Dad” Drawing Page: Give kids a piece of paper and prompts like “This is my Dad,” “My Dad loves to ___,” “My favorite thing to do with Dad is ___.” Let them draw and write. (Prep: 5 mins, Crafting: 15-20 mins)
2. Decorated Bookmark: Cut a rectangle from cardstock. Let kids decorate it with markers, stickers, or a small photo. Punch a hole and add a ribbon tassel. (Prep: 5 mins, Crafting: 10-15 mins)
3. Hand-Traced “High Five” Card: Trace a child’s hand on folded cardstock. Write “High Five for Being the Best Dad!” inside. Decorate. (Prep: 2 mins, Crafting: 10 mins)

Inclusivity Notes: Crafting Fun for Every Family

Ensure everyone can participate and enjoy the creative process.

• Fine Motor Skills: Choose crafts that match abilities. Younger kids can do finger painting or stick large stickers, while older kids can try more detailed drawing or cutting. For those with challenges, focus on sensory aspects like kneading salt dough or using chunky paint dabbers.
• Sensory Preferences: If a child is sensitive to sticky glue, try glue sticks or double-sided tape. If paint textures are an issue, opt for markers or crayons. Offer different material options.
• Collaboration is Key: For crafts with multiple steps, assign roles. One child can choose colors, another can paint, Dad can hold things steady. The aim is for everyone to feel they contributed.
• Process Over Product: Emphasize the fun of making things together. The final item doesn’t need to be perfect; it needs to be made with love.

The Best Gift: Made with Love & Time Together

And there you have it – a wonderful selection of DIY craft activities perfect for kids and dads to share this Father’s Day 2025! Remember, the true magic isn’t just in the handmade gift, but in the precious time spent together laughing, creating, and making memories.

So, pick a project that sparks joy, gather your supplies, and get ready for some handmade happiness. Dad is going to absolutely love whatever you create, simply because it was made with love, by his favorite little people, perhaps even with his own helping hands.

Happy Crafting, and Happy Father’s Day!