9 Fathers Day Gifts Ideas from Kids DIY: Epic Crafts for the Coolest Dads Ever

Father’s Day is almost here, and let’s be honest—it’s tough to find an extra special gift that feels meaningful without draining your wallet or your energy. We’re big fans of those homemade gifts that come right from the heart.

Bonus points if the kids get to make a mess and have a blast with the best ideas . DIY Father’s Day gifts from kids show Dad how much he means, and he’ll get some kid friendly things and awesome memories out of the deal.

Let’s take the pressure off this project and make it easy for everyone. Grab your glue sticks, some paper, and probably a snack or two—because we’re jumping into fun, simple ideas to make this Father’s Day one to remember!

1) Handprint keychain with colorful beads

Honestly, what dad wouldn’t love carrying a mini version of their kid’s hand project everywhere? All you need are Shrinky Dinks or similar plastic sheets, some markers, and a bit of patience.

Toss in some bright beads and twine, you’ve got instant cool factor. This keepsake is simple, sweet, and totally doable.

If you want a step-by-step tie , here’s a DIY beaded keychain idea that’s easy to follow.

2) DIY photo frame decorated with stickers and glitter

We love a good crafts that doubles as a gift, and this DIY photo frame totally delivers. Grab popsicle sticks or a plain frame, and let the kids go wild with stickers and glitter—seriously, there’s no such thing as too much sparkle.

Pick Dad’s favorite colors or silly stickers that’ll make him laugh. It’s easy for little hands, and if glitter ends up everywhere, well, that’s part of the fun.

Want more ideas? Check out these creative crafts or this Father’s Day photo frame inspiration.

3) Personalized coupon book for chores or hugs

Let’s be honest—sometimes the best gift is a coupon for “one room cleaned, no whining.” We can totally make those with just some paper and a few creative ideas.

Add coupons for hugs, breakfast in bed, or a chore swap. The possibilities are endless.

Need a template? Try this printable Father’s Day coupon book.

4) Homemade salt dough trophy painted gold

What dad wouldn’t brag about a trophy made by his own kid with their handprints? It’s truly one of a kind. We mix up some easy salt dough—just flour, salt, and water—then shape it into a trophy and bake.

Once it’s cool, go wild with gold paint. Messy hands get extra points.

Personalized keepsakes like this make great gifts for fathers . You can find more ideas here or check out these Father’s Day salt dough crafts.

5) Fingerprint canvas art with a sweet message

This one’s always a hit in our house! Grab a plain canvas and let the kids dip their fingers in paint.

Let them cover the canvas with colorful fingerprints. After it dries (or almost dries, because who’s got patience?), write a cute message like “We love you, Dad!” right on the canvas.

For more inspiration, check out these adorable fingerprint and handprint card ideas.

6) Custom coffee mug painted with sharpie markers

Grab a plain mug and some key Sharpies—the same ones the kids “borrow” for their art projects. Let everyone get messy and creative.

Doodle, write little notes, or go wild with patterns. When you’re done, bake the mug so the design sticks around (hello, lasting memories!).

If you want a tutorial, here’s one for Sharpie mugs that won’t wash off.

7) Handmade Father’s Day card with heartfelt poems

Nothing beats a sweet DIY card that comes straight from the kids, filled with love (and sometimes with a little glue stuck in their hair).

Help them write a goofy or heartfelt poem. It doesn’t need to rhyme—just let it be real. A scribbly “I love you, Dad!” is pretty much perfect.

Need more ideas? There are plenty of Father’s Day card ideas at Fabulessly Frugal.

8) Decorated toolbox with painted tools

This one’s for the little artists! Grab a small wooden toolbox (craft store or garage—no shame) and let the kids go nuts with pictures, paint, stickers, and their favorite colors.

Add pretend tools from cardboard or some painted Model Magic tools inside the jar . Dad’s gonna melt when he sees their names scribbled on the handle.

9) Homemade snack mix in a decorated jar

This one’s super easy and always a win. Grab Dad’s favorite snacks—pretzels, nuts, chocolate chips, maybe some gummy bears if you’re feeling wild.

Let the kids mix it all up, scoop it into a mason jar, and go crazy with decorations. Stickers, glitter, doodles—whatever makes them smile.

Need more inspiration? There are loads of creative Father’s Day snack mix jar ideas out there too.

Letting Kids’ Creativity Shine

Let’s be real—kids’ imaginations are wild and hilarious, making everyone happy . When they whip up a DIY Father’s Day gift, their creativity totally steals the show.

We’ve seen superhero cards, popsicle-stick “ties,” and honestly, every single one is a masterpiece in its own way. Letting kids brainstorm and design their own gifts helps them feel proud of what they can do.

Maybe they’ll draw Dad fishing with a dinosaur, or make a card that talks—because, why not? DIY gifts give everyone a chance to be as silly, cute, or heartfelt as they want.

Seeing their proud little faces when they hand over that homemade gift reminds us that’s basically the best part for us. For loads of fun DIY ideas to spark that imagination, check out these easy DIY Father’s Day gifts from kids.

How To Encourage Your Kids To Get Crafty

Jumping into DIY crafts for Father’s Day gifts with our kids isn’t about perfect pictures or spotless hands. It’s about helping our little ones feel excited (and not stressed) to make something special for their dad, right where they are and however they can.

Setting Up A Zero-Stress Craft Zone

First things first: let’s lower the bar so nobody melts down. We pick a spot in the house that can get a little wild—a kitchen table, the floor with a big tablecloth, or even outside if it’s sunny.

We grab all the adult supplies and lay them out in baskets or on a tray so the kids can see everything. Markers here, glue there, googly eyes everywhere (because, let’s be honest, they end up everywhere).

Sometimes “organized” just means there’s a trash bag nearby and aprons over their shirts. That’s totally fine!

What matters is, of course, that everyone feels free to jump in without worrying about making a mess or having it all look Pinterest-perfect. We put out washable paints, easy-grip scissors, and non-toxic glue.

If things spill or the baby tries to taste-test the markers, it’s not a crisis. Keeping a few wet wipes at arm’s length never hurts, either.

Making It Fun (Even If It Gets Messy)

Here’s the real secret—fun beats fancy every single time, and we should always continue that spirit . We try to lean into the chaos and make memories, not masterpieces.

Let’s crank up some music and fill the room with giggles. Maybe we’ll even turn it into a “see-who-can-make-the-silliest-card” contest.

Sometimes we throw out wild prompts—like “make Dad as a superhero,” or “give Dad a mustache made of stickers.”

We celebrate every crooked heart and glue blob like it’s a work of genius. If a card rips in half or someone glues felt to their own sleeve, we just laugh, snap a photo, and keep going.

Honestly, there are no ugly crafts—just art made with love.

If paint ends up on the dog? We just add “dog bath” to the to-do list and call it a win.

Need more ideas to keep it simple? Check out these easy Father’s Day crafts for kids.