Handmade Father's Day Gifts

Before Father’s Day comes around, take a little time to make a gift with your children.  You can be assured that Dad will treasure it – and even use it much more than he will that tie.  Here are some ideas for handmade Father’s Day gifts that will be the perfect way to say, “I love you!”

Most fathers carry wallets, and chances are Dad has his own in his pocket right now.  Why not give a gift that he’ll carry everywhere?

You’ll need:

• Markers, photos, stickers
• Glue
• Clear contact paper

To make:

1. Use a credit card to trace a rectangle on a piece of poster board. Cut it out.
2. Decorate both sides with messages, stickers, and photos.  You could do a family photo with embellishments or make a collage of the child(ren). 
3. Cover the card with contact paper to make it sturdy. 

If your child is older and has some patience, try this wonderful Duct Tape Wallet craft from Family Crafts. The result is a completely usable wallet that is as “green” (or silver!) as they come.

If Dad loves to grill, his mouth will start watering when you give him this great BBQ Sauce, recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 canned chipotle chili, minced
• 1 ½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 ½ tablespoons cider vinegar
• ¼ cup unsulfured molasses
• Juice from ½ lemon
• Salt and pepper

To make:

• In medium saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic.  Cook until onion is soft, about five minutes.
• Stir in tomatoes, chili, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, molasses, and lemon juice. Simmer on medium-low until reduced by a fourth, stirring occasionally for about 45 minutes.
• Puree sauce in blender. Season with salt and pepper.
• Put into one quart jar or 2 pint jars.  This can be refrigerated for up to two weeks – but don’t count on it lasting that long.

Tie a ribbon around the jar with a new barbeque brush, and present to the best griller in the world.

Whether Dad works in the office, cooks dinner, or heads out to the garage to do some DIY, he’ll love these Family Marble Magnets, idea courtesy of Kaboose.

You’ll need:

• Family photos
• Flat-backed clear marbles (available at craft stores)
• Round magnets
• White craft glue
• Scissors

To make:

• Choose family photos that you want to cut up and that will fit in the marble.
• Use the marble to trace around the photo, and cut.
• Smear a dab of glue onto the flat side of the marble.  Press it down onto the photo face. Let dry.
• Glue the magnet to the back and let dry.

These are great for file cabinets, the fridge, the toolbox, or the rim of the mirror so Dad can see his favorite people all the time!

When in doubt, you cannot go wrong with food.  Make some special Dad’s Day cupcakes or Father's Day cookies, or try a “Snack Can.”

You’ll need:

• Small, clean, empty coffee can
• Craft paper, markers, glitter, etc
• Snacks – pretzels, peanuts, M&Ms, and various other crunchy munchies

To make:

1. Cover the coffee can with craft paper and decorate.
2. Fill with assorted snacks so the next time Dad’s feeling peckish, he has a snack nearby.

This is perfect for the car, for the game, for the office, or just for hanging out with his favorite kids.

This Father’s Day, leave your money in your piggy bank and make the special dad in your life a thoughtful, handmade gift that he’ll treasure.

Ideas For Father's Day Activities

Father's Day Craft Ideas For Kids

Celebrate Father's Day - Gifts and Activities