DIY Father's Day Gifts for Kids: 14 Craft Ideas

Lisa Ernst · 09.05.2026 · Family & Crafts · 12 min.

A homemade Father's Day gift is often more personal than something store-bought. Especially with children, perfection isn't the goal, but rather the small idea behind it: a card, a handprint, a jar full of memories, or a gift that Dad can actually use in everyday life.

Here you'll find easy craft ideas for different age groups. Many of them work with paper, paint, cardboard, glass, beads, or things you already have at home. If you're also looking for a suitable gift idea, you can use the Regaro gift finder for inspiration.

Quelle: Image source: Wikimedia Commons / Shixart1985 / CC BY 2.0, cropped

Quick overview: Which idea suits which age?

To prevent crafting from turning into a stressful affair, a rough division helps. Young children need quick projects with lots of color and minimal cutting. Older children can already write, glue, measure, and decorate.

Quelle: Image source: Wikimedia Commons / USMC Archives / CC BY 2.0

'1. Father\'s Day card with a personal message'

'The classic Father\'s Day card remains one of the best ideas because children can decorate it freely. It becomes especially beautiful with a picture on the front, a small saying, and a personal sentence inside.'

• 'Material': 'Construction paper, felt-tip pens, stickers, glue, possibly a photo.'
• 'Idea': 'On the front it says "Dad, you\'re my hero," and inside the child draws a shared memory.'
• 'Variation': 'Young children dictate the text, adults write it in.'

Quelle: Image source: Wikimedia Commons / Dawn Hudson / CC0

'2. Handprint heart for Dad'

'A handprint is ideal for young children. It immediately shows: this gift really comes from the child. Two handprints can form a heart, and a short sentence can be placed next to it.'

• 'Material': 'Finger paint, thick cardboard, paintbrush, wet wipes.'
• 'How to do it': 'Paint hands, press lightly diagonally onto the paper, and let fingers point outwards.'
• 'Extra': 'Write the date and the child\'s age so it remains a nice memory later.'

Quelle: Image source: Wikimedia Commons / Leppicu / CC BY-SA 4.0

'3. Painted stones with dad motifs'

'Painted stones are robust, inexpensive, and look very personal on a desk, in the garden, or beside the bed. Children can paint hearts, tools, little faces, or simple lettering.'

• 'Material': 'smooth stones, acrylic paint, marker pen, clear coat.'
• 'Motif ideas': '"Best Dad," superhero symbol, grill, heart, car, or soccer ball.'
• 'Tip': 'Sketch with a pencil first, then paint and seal after drying.'

Quelle: Image source: Wikimedia Commons / D. Sharon Pruitt / CC BY 2.0

'4. Comic portrait of Dad'

'A drawn portrait of Dad is often funny, honest, and very charming. Children can draw Dad as a superhero, grill master, king, soccer coach, or adventurer.'

• 'Material': 'Paper, felt-tip pens, fineliners, optional picture frame.'
• 'Questions to help': 'What does Dad often wear? What does Dad often say? What does Dad do particularly well?'
• 'Variation': 'Turn the picture into a small comic scene with speech bubbles.'

Quelle: Image source: Wikimedia Commons / Craig Johnstone / CC BY-SA 4.0

'5. Self-designed photo frame'

'A photo frame combines crafting with a real memory. The child can paint the frame, stick small symbols on it, and then insert a photo of them together.'

• 'Material': 'Wooden or cardboard frame, paint, glue, buttons, seashells, stickers.'
• 'Photo idea': 'A picture of the child with a sign: "Happy Father\'s Day."'
• 'Nice addition': 'On the back, the child writes a short sentence or draws a heart.'

Quelle: Image source: Wikimedia Commons / Elizabeth Okie Paxton / Public Domain

'6. Breakfast tray with small decorations'

'Breakfast isn\'t a classic craft project, but it can be wonderfully combined with a homemade napkin, a name tag, a card, or a painted egg cup.'

• 'Material': 'Tray, napkin, card, flowers, small jar, favorite breakfast.'
• 'Child\'s task': 'Paint a card, choose rolls, wash fruit, or make table decorations.'
• 'Extra': 'A small voucher is placed on the tray, for example, "Today I\'ll clear the table."'

Quelle: Image source: Wikimedia Commons / Auckland Museum / CC BY 4.0

'7. Dad\'s coupon book'

'A coupon book is perfect if the gift is meant to bring joy not just on Father\'s Day. Children come up with small tasks or shared moments that Dad can redeem later.'

• 'Material': 'Strips of paper, hole punch, string or stapler, pens.'
• 'Coupons': 'Help wash the car once," "A movie night," "A walk," "Bring coffee once.'
• 'Tip': 'Don\'t make too many coupons. Five to eight loving ideas are completely sufficient.'

Quelle: Image source: Wikimedia Commons / Alan Levine / CC BY 2.0

'8. Grill spice jar with children\'s label'

'For dads who love to grill or cook, a self-labeled spice jar is a practical idea. The child designs the label, adults help with mixing and sealing.'

• 'Material': 'empty jar, label, spices, ribbon, pens.'
• 'Labeling': 'Dad Power Spice," "Grill Master Mix," or "Super Dad Salt.'
• 'Note': 'Work hygienically with spices and consider allergies or spiciness beforehand.'

Quelle: Image source: Wikimedia Commons / CraftyOtter / CC BY-SA 4.0

'9. Beaded keychain'

'A keychain is small, but Dad sees it constantly. With beads, letter cubes, and a sturdy ring, you create a gift that children can assemble well on their own.'

• 'Material': 'Beads, letter beads, keychain ring, tear-resistant string.'
• 'Words': '"DAD," "LOVE," "HERO," child\'s name, or a short inside joke.'
• 'Safety': 'For young children, craft only under supervision due to small, swallowable parts.'

Quelle: Image source: Wikimedia Commons / Auckland Museum / CC BY 4.0

'10. Paper trophy for the best Dad'

'A trophy made of paper, cardboard, or a painted cup is a simple, fun idea. It\'s especially suitable when the child wants to give Dad an award.'

• 'Material': 'gold cardboard, cup, glue, scissors, stickers.'
• 'Inscription': 'Best Dad," "Grill Master," "Cuddle King," or "Everyday Hero.'
• 'Variation': 'Fill the trophy with small notes containing compliments.'

Quelle: Image source: Wikimedia Commons / U.S. Air Force / Public Domain

'11. Salt dough ornament with name or imprint'

'Salt dough is well-suited for ornaments, small signs, or handprint medals. After drying or baking, children can paint the ornament and attach a ribbon.'

• 'Material': 'Salt dough, cookie cutters, toothpick, paint, ribbon.'
• 'Motif ideas': 'Heart, star, tool, car, handprint, or initial.'
• 'Tip': 'Make the hole for the ribbon before drying.'

Quelle: Image source: Wikimedia Commons / Ctsu / CC BY-SA 4.0

'12. Small tool box for Dad'

'A tool box doesn\'t have to be heavy or expensive. Children can decorate a small cardboard box as a "Dad Repair Box" and fill it with symbolic items.'

• 'Material': 'Shoe box, paper, pens, glue, small slips of paper.'
• 'Filling': 'Chocolate, band-aids, mini notepad, voucher, encouraging notes.'
• 'Labeling': 'For Dad\'s Emergencies," "Superhero Tools," or "Dad Can Fix Anything Box.'

Quelle: Image source: Wikimedia Commons / Nathan Lemon / CC0

'13. Gift wrap with custom stamps'

'Homemade gift wrap is quick to make and enhances even a small gift. Children can print patterns on brown paper using potato stamps, corks, or their fingers.'

• 'Material': 'Brown paper, paint, potato, cork, sponge, or stamps.'
• 'Patterns': 'Hearts, stars, tool shapes, dots, hands, or Dad\'s initials.'
• 'Tip': 'Let the paper dry well before wrapping the gift.'

Quelle: Image source: Wikimedia Commons / hunterdt / CC BY-SA 3.0

'14. Time jar with shared experiences'

'A time jar is a glass full of small notes. Each note contains an activity, a thank you, or a memory. Dad can then pull out a note whenever he wants.'

• 'Material': 'Jar, strips of paper, pens, ribbon, label.'
• 'Note ideas': 'Today we\'ll play a game," "Thanks for reading to me," "Let\'s eat ice cream together," "Bike ride with Dad.'
• 'Variation': 'Use three colors: experiences, compliments, and small offers of help.'

Material list for a relaxed afternoon of crafting

For most ideas, simple basic supplies are enough. Laying everything out before crafting saves nerves and allows the children to work more freely.

• Construction paper, cardboard, brown paper, and small strips of paper
• Finger paints, acrylic paints, felt-tip pens, and fineliners
• Glue, scissors, hole punch, string, ribbon, and stickers
• Empty jars, small boxes, keychains, or wooden frames
• Wet wipes, newspaper as a base, and clothes that can get paint on them

What makes a good Father's Day gift from children?

A successful Father's Day gift doesn't have to look perfect. It's important that it has a connection to Dad. A grill spice jar suits a dad who loves to cook. A coupon book suits a dad who appreciates quality time together. A handprint is especially suitable when the child is still young.

The gift becomes most beautiful when adults only prepare and help, but don't correct everything. Slightly crooked lines, unusual colors, and funny phrasing are what make the gift personal.

FAQ: DIY Father's Day Gifts for Kids

Conclusion

Crafting a Father's Day gift with children should be fun and not about perfection. The best ideas are simple, personal, and suit Dad. Whether it's a card, handprint, coupon book, spice jar, or experience jar: the crucial thing is that the child is visibly involved and Dad notices that someone put thought into it.