12 Kids Fathers Day Crafts That’ll Make Dad Laugh, Cry, and Maybe Even Wear Glitter
Father’s Day always seems to sneak up on us, right when everything’s already a blur. But honestly, nothing beats seeing kids make crafts that show some real love for Dad, especially when they turn into heartfelt father’s day gifts .
These easy Father’s Day crafts aren’t just fun—they help kids make special memories with Dad and the whole family while keeping them busy. That’s a win for everyone.
We’re jumping into all things messy, creative, and heartfelt. Whether it’s paint, glue, or a wild explosion of stickers, these crafts make Father’s Day feel personalized and full of love.
1) Handprint Grill Plate – perfect for a last-minute, keepsake gift!
Got a grill-master dad who loves anything personal and is always looking for kid friendly things to do together ? Let’s whip up a handprint grill plate—no expert skills required.
Grab a plain plate and some paint. Let those little hands go wild with their favorite colors ! It’s one of those easy, messy projects that ends up super adorable and makes Dad grin every time.
Need a visual? Here’s a fun handprint grill plate for Father’s Day idea.
2) DIY Daddy Photo Letters – spell out ‘DAD’ with pics and glue!
Honestly, posing the kids to spell “DAD” is way more fun than another boring tie. Snap some silly photos, print them, and grab the glue sticks.
Arrange those pics on big cardboard or poster board letters. Good Housekeeping has a version of this that’s a total win if you want to keep the memories front and center. It’s just more fun than buying a card, isn’t it?
3) Stenciled Ties – plain ties turn fab with some fabric paint and stencils.
Why do dads always get boring ties? Let’s fix that with a little stenciled magic. All you need are some plain thrift store ties, a few stencils, and fabric paint.
Pick your shapes, dab on the paint, and just like that—Dad has a one-of-a-kind accessory. It’s easy, looks great, and honestly, it’s way more fun than shopping for ties. Want a walkthrough? Here’s how to make stenciled ties.
4) Bottle Cap Photo Keychain – tiny, cute and super easy to make.
Who else has a stash of bottle caps in the junk drawer? We definitely do. Now they’re about to star in our next crafty masterpiece.
Pop a tiny printed photo inside the cap, glue it down, and snap on a key ring. Stickers or paint? Go for it.
This bottle cap keychain craft is perfect for little hands and makes a sweet, personal gift. Dads love this stuff.
5) Pop-Up Father’s Day Card – because 3D Yoda just makes everything better.
Can we talk about how cute a 3D Yoda pop-up card is? Our Star Wars-loving hearts can’t handle it.
Pop-up cards always add a little magic, but a green Jedi popping out? That’s just next-level. It’s got that easy DIY vibe, so the kids can get creative without stress.
Want instructions and free printables? Here’s a Yoda pop-up Father’s Day card tutorial!
6) Dad String Art – all you need is some nails and colorful thread.
This one’s actually super fun. Grab some small nails, a wooden block, and let your imagination loose with colorful thread.
Use a template to spell “DAD,” then start wrapping the string around the nails. If you need a printable template, check out One Little Project’s Dad String Art.
It’s messy, loud, and a totally cool way to celebrate Dad with your child .
7) All About Dad Activity Page – a fun printable to get the kiddos chatting about Dad.
Who doesn’t love hearing what kids really think about their dads? This All About Dad printable activity page is the best way to get those hilarious, sweet, and sometimes totally random answers from the parents .
Hand these out with crayons and let the kids fill in sentences like “My dad’s favorite food is…” (Spoiler: it’s probably not what Dad actually eats.)
It turns into the easiest keepsake. Dads are going to treasure these answers for years, even if they’re a little weird!
8) Easy Origami Shirt Card – no sewing needed, just folding and decorating!
No one wants to drag out the sewing kit for a quick craft. This easy origami shirt card is all about folding paper and letting your creativity go nuts.
Just grab some paper, fold it into a shirt shape, and decorate with markers, stickers, or a bit of glitter to play with creativity . Why not?
It’s a fun way to deliver a sweet note to Dad. If you want a step-by-step, here’s a super simple origami shirt card tutorial.
9) Necktie Zip Pouch – crafty and practical for dad’s little essentials.
Let’s talk about those old ties Dad never throws away. We can turn one into a handy zip pouch, and it’s honestly easier than you’d think.
Just grab an old necktie, a zipper, and some glue or a few stitches. Here’s a cute idea for a zip bag from a necktie at Polka Dot Chair.
Dad can stash change, headphones, or even his secret snacks in there.
10) Handprint Keepsake Cards – each year’s print shows how much they’ve grown!
We love making handprint keepsake cards for Father’s Day while remembering our mother . It’s adorable looking back on those tiny hands and seeing how much the kids have grown.
All you need is some paint, paper, and a willing kiddo (sometimes a bribe helps). For cute ideas, check out bundles on Etsy or inspiration on Pinterest.
11) Father’s Day Apron – personalize with fabric markers for the grill master.
Let’s be honest—what dad or husband doesn’t love feeling like the king of the grill? We can help our kids turn a plain apron into something Dad will actually use (and maybe brag about to his friends).
All you need is a simple canvas apron and some fabric markers or paint. The messier, the better!
Kids can draw a grill, write “Grill Master,” or just doodle and add sweet notes, like these grill master aprons we found online.
No crafting skills required—just a little creativity and lots of giggles.
12) Tie-Dye Handkerchief – colorful, funky, and full of personality.
Okay, who doesn’t love a good splash of color? These tie-dye handkerchiefs are basically a fun mess waiting to happen and honestly, we’re here for it.
Just grab some plain cotton hankies, a bit of dye, and let the kids go wild. No fancy skills needed—just pure creative chaos!
Dads get something totally one-of-a-kind. We get a colorful project that’s actually useful.
Check out how easy it is over at this DIY tie dye handkerchief guide.
How To Make Father’s Day Crafts Extra Special
Father’s Day crafts aren’t just about the glue and glitter. It’s really about making the day memorable and getting everyone in on the fun.
We want to create something Dad will actually want to keep around. That’s the sweet spot.
Tips For Crafting With A Big Crew
When we’ve got a whole squad of kids, things can get chaotic fast. Every craft table turns into a tornado zone if we’re not prepared.
Setting up stations with all the supplies each group will need is key. No more yelling across the room for more googly eyes!
We love using simple supplies like paper plates, markers, and popsicle sticks. They’re easy to share and clean up.
For littles, washable markers and glue sticks save a ton of stress. If we’re guiding kids of different ages, including adult helper we let the older kids help the little ones—this makes everyone feel extra important.
Letting everyone personalize their crafts keeps things special. Maybe we set out bowls of stickers, buttons, or even random bits from the junk drawer.
Giving kids choices about colors and decorations helps each project feel one-of-a-kind. Plus, the messier it gets, the more fun stories we’ll have to tell later.
Getting Dads Involved In The Fun
Let’s be real, Dads want to have fun too! Sometimes we let them help with painting, gluing, or even picking silly themes.
Imagine everyone making matching superhero masks or decorating a custom apron together—so many giggles.
Turning craft time into a joint activity means making memories as a team.
We can have Dad fill out an “All About Me” page while the kids decorate it. Or, get him to help with anything that needs extra muscles, like cutting thick cardboard for a homemade picture frame.
Dads can even be the judges of a “Best Craft Hair-Do” contest. Or maybe he takes a goofy selfie with each kid and their creation.
The point isn’t about being perfect; it’s about sharing the laughter, the mess, and the love. If you need more ideas for getting creative with Father’s Day crafts, check out easy projects like rock art, mixed media portraits, or clay pots at The Artful Parent.
Mess-Proof Crafting: Keeping Your Sanity (Mostly) Intact
Crafting with a dozen kids can get wild fast. Imagine glue on the cat, glitter in the fruit bowl, and four kids taping their sleeves together.
But with a game plan, we can handle the chaos and even laugh along the way.
Organizing Supplies For 12 Kids Without Losing It
We know the panic of a supply scramble. Here’s how we keep it all together!
Set up a craft station—maybe the kitchen table or a big picnic blanket. I’m a fan of using muffin tins, ice cube trays, or even just big zip bags to sort everything, from googly eyes to those mini bottles of glue.
Grab a roll of brown paper and tape it down for a giant, disposable tablecloth. It catches the mess and makes clean-up way easier.
Keep wipes and paper towels close by. Assign “mini helpers”—kids who pass out supplies or collect scraps—so everyone gets a shot at responsibility.
If you need kid-approved craft ideas that aren’t just glitter bombs, check out these easy Father’s Day crafts for kids for inspiration.
The secret weapon? Snacks on standby help distract kids from wandering off or getting bored while they wait their turn.
