12 Father's Day Crafts for Toddlers, Preschoolers and Kindergarteners

Making art with my daughter is one of my favorite things in life, so helping her make a Father’s Day craft for our favorite guy is really a gift to me, too. We get to make color-soaked memories, and my husband gets a heartfelt gift. It’s a win-win—even if it does mean I’ll be finding rogue sequins in my house until the end of time.

Whether or not you’re in the “pro messy masterpiece” camp, there’s a lot to love about helping your kids celebrate the special men in their lives. Want to help your little one make a special Father’s Day craft? We’ve rounded up the best Father’s Day craft ideas based on different ages and stages to help your kids celebrate Dad, Grandpa or another special caregiver in their life. Scroll down for Father’s Day crafts for toddlers, preschoolers and kindergarteners.

Father’s Day Crafts for Toddlers

Since making Father’s Day crafts with toddlers will require lots of assistance, we’ve honed in on projects that are quick and simple. Just make sure to keep the wipes nearby! See ideas for your littlest crafters below.

Handprint tool apron

“Help Dad with his DIY projects, and make him a handy handprint tool apron for Father’s Day!” says Agnes Hsu of Hello Wonderful. This is a great project for dads who, well, like projects!

Materials:

• Cloth tool apron
• Fabric paint
• Paintbrush
• Paint marker

Instructions:

• Squirt paint onto a tray.
• Paint your child’s hands, and place them on the apron.
• Optional: Write a personalized Father’s Day message, like “Daddy’s Little Helper,” on the apron.

Footprint rocket

This project by Kimberly McLeod of The Best Ideas for Kids is sure to warm Dad’s heart—and tickle your toddler’s toes. “I wanted to create an adorable way to remember those little feet for years to come. If you want to say, 'Love you to the moon and back,’ this is the perfect keepsake to make for Father’s Day,” says McLeod.

Materials:

• Washable paint
• Paintbrush
• Sturdy white paper
• Colorful paper
• Pom poms
• Glue stick
• Liquid glue
• Markers
• Scissors

Instructions:

• Squirt paint onto a tray.
• Paint one of your child’s feet, and help them place it lengthwise in the center of a piece of white paper.
• Once dry, add decorative elements with cut paper, markers and pom poms to depict a rocket.
• Write a message to Dad, like “Love you to the moon and back!”

Handprint dad trophy

There’s no better way to show appreciation than with an award, so why not help your toddler make one for Dad? This craft by Claire Shaffer of Childhood Magic will be a fun sensory experience for your toddler and is sure to delight their favorite dude.

Materials:

• Washable paint
• Paintbrush
• Sturdy white paper
• Colorful paper
• Black marker
• Scissors
• Liquid glue

Instructions:

• Squirt paint onto a tray.
• Paint your child’s hand, and have them place it on a piece of sturdy white paper.
• Once dry, cut out the handprint.
• Cut a large trophy shape out of colorful paper.
• Glue the handprint to the trophy.
• Write “No. 1 Dad” on the trophy.

Little monster card

This project by Jackie of I Heart Arts ‘n Crafts makes a great gift from Dad’s littlest rascals. With a little prep work and some artistic flourishes, these characters will look monstrously familiar. Note that while this craft is geared towards siblings, it can be adapted for singletons, too.

Materials:

• Acrylic paint (or washable paint)
• Paintbrush
• Sturdy white paper
• Markers
• Liquid glue
• Scissors

Instructions:

• Squirt blue and lime green paint onto a tray.
• Paint one child’s foot blue, and place it on a piece of sturdy white paper.
• Paint your other child’s hand lime green, leaving out their middle finger, and place it on white paper. (Alternatively, paint your same child’s hand).
• Once dry, cut the hand and foot out, and glue them upside-down on a horizontal sheet of paper.
• Paint or draw the remaining elements to resemble the monsters in the example.
• Write a message to Dad, like “Your little monsters love you!”

Father’s Day Crafts for Preschoolers

Your preschool-age creatives will be overjoyed to make messy yet meaningful art projects for their dad. See some low-effort, high-impact Father’s Day craft ideas for preschoolers below

Handprint monster hug card

To continue the monster theme, this handprint monster card by Red Ted Art will help your preschooler show dad some love with an extra dose of silliness. It’s cute and heartfelt, and who doesn’t love tiny handprints?

Materials:

• Washable paint
• Sturdy white paper
• Colorful paper (optional)
• Black Sharpie marker
• Large googly eyes
• Liquid glue
• Paintbrush
• Scissors

Instructions:

• Squirt various paints onto a tray.
• Paint your child’s hands various colors, and have them place them on a piece of white paper.
• Have them freely paint another piece of white paper in the same colors.
• Once dry, cut out the child’s handprints.
• Cut a “monster body” shape out of the freely painted paper.
• Glue the monster body in the center of another piece of paper. Then, glue both handprints to either side of the body so it looks like the monster is offering a hug.
• Glue on googly eyes, and draw a smile. Outline the eyes and body if desired.

Cardboard medal

For the medal-worthy dads we all know and love, this precious craft by Red Ted Art will do just the trick. See the full how-to below.

Materials:

• Cardboard
• Gold acrylic paint
• Paintbrush
• Thick red, white and blue striped ribbon
• Red and blue star stickers
• Yellow and red construction paper
• Yellow felt scrap
• Two jar lids (one slightly smaller than the other)
• Liquid glue
• Markers
• Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks
• Scissors

Instructions:

• Squirt gold paint onto a tray.
• Trace two jar lids onto cardboard, and cut out the circle shapes.
• Let your child paint both sides of the cardboard circles with gold acrylic paint.
• Print out a cherished photo, and cut it to the size of the smaller jar lid.
• Cut a piece of yellow paper to the size of the smaller jar lid, and write a Father’s Day message on it.
• Glue the yellow circle message onto the smaller gold circle and the circular photo onto the larger gold circle.
• Encourage your child to place stars on the medal to decorate.
• Cut the number one out of red construction paper. Place it on the smaller gold circle on the side opposite the yellow message.
• Attach the decorated smaller gold circle to the center of the larger one using a small scrap of felt and hot glue, as shown in the example photo.
• Cut out a long piece of ribbon, and hot glue it to the back of the medal.

Crayon watercolor card

This crayon craft by Angela of Projects with Kids is both exciting to make and special to receive. “This easy Father’s Day project lets kids explore watercolor painting while creating a unique bookmark and card set for a special handmade gift,” says Angela.

Materials:

• Sturdy white paper (ideally watercolor paper)
• Watercolor paints
• Paintbrushes
• White crayon
• Scissors

Instructions:

• Fold a piece of sturdy white paper in half to make a card.
• Help your child write Father’s Day messages or draw simple shapes with a white crayon.
• Let them paint with watercolors over the crayon to their heart’s desire.
• Repeat this process to make bookmarks.

Decorated picture frame

Crafty preschoolers will enjoy making this Father’s Day project by Red Ted Art. They’ll get to add their own flair to a picture frame that can showcase a beloved photo with Dad. It’s a simple project that’ll brighten his day anytime he looks at it.

Materials:

• Cardboard or wooden picture frame
• Tissue paper squares and other small art odds and ends (like sequins and buttons)
• Liquid glue
• Clear tape
• Scissors

Instructions:

• Cut a picture frame shape out of cardboard. (Alternatively, use a store-bought unfinished wood picture frame.)
• Set up a station with glue and small art materials.
• Encourage your preschooler to glue items onto the frame however they’d like.
• Once dry, tape a photo to the back of the frame.

Father’s Day Crafts for Kindergarteners

Kindergarteners will love pouring their creativity into a craft for their dear old dad. Below are some heartfelt Father’s Day crafts for kindergarteners (and beyond)—complete with personal touches and (of course) more handprints!

3D cardboard trophy

This open-ended project by Meri Cherry & Play Make Create Art Studio in Encino, California, brings Father’s Day craft personalization to the next level. Any dad will cherish this creativity-infused token of appreciation.

Materials:

• Cardboard
• Acrylic paint
• Assorted art odds and ends (like sequins, buttons and popsicle sticks)
• Colorful paper
• Liquid glue
• Scissors

Instructions:

• Cut a large trophy shape out of cardboard. Paint it if desired.
• Encourage your child to glue art materials to the trophy and decorate it as they please.

Dad portrait

An illustrated portrait makes for a thoughtful Father’s Day gift. With this portrait idea from Bar Rucci of Art Bar Blog, give your child some initial guidance, and then let them make the art their own. The more “eclectic” their representation, the sweeter!

Materials:

• Sturdy white paper (ideally watercolor paper)
• Pencil
• Watercolor paint
• Paintbrushes

Instructions:

• Encourage your child to draw a large sketch of their dad in pencil on sturdy white paper.
• When they’re done, have them paint with watercolors to add color.
• Write your child’s name and the year on the back.
• Optional: Place in a frame to present to Dad.

Handprint pop art

For a bold twist on handprint art, check out this Andy Warhol-inspired project by Red Ted Art. It makes for both a display-worthy Father’s Day gift and a fun activity for kindergarteners.

Materials:

• Washable paint
• Construction paper in contrasting colors
• Black paint or ink
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Clear tape

Instructions:

• Trace one of your child’s hands onto four pieces of colorful paper, and let them cut them out.
• Have them glue the paper hands to the center of four pieces of paper in contrasting colors.
• Paint your child’s hand black.
• Have them place their painted hand on top of each cut-out hand.
• Connect the backs of all four pieces of paper with tape or glue to create one large work of art.

Superhero handprints

Last but not least, this project by Claire Shaffer of Childhood Magic takes handprint art to the next level. It’s unique, colorful and sure to charm Dad. “I love using hobbies, activities or characters and turning them into handprint art—it’s a fun way to personalize a Father’s Day card from kids!” says Shaffer.

Materials:

• Washable paint
• Sturdy white paper
• Colorful paper
• Liquid glue
• Markers
• Scissors

Instructions:

• Squirt various paints onto a tray.
• Paint your child’s hand to coordinate with the superhero of their choosing, and have them place it on a piece of sturdy white paper.
• Once dry, cut out the handprint.
• Help your child cut, paste and draw embellishments to depict superheroes.
• Paste handprints onto a Father’s Day card if desired, or present them as is.

Kid-made Father’s Day crafts are more than just projects—they’re an embodiment of your child’s joy that dads can’t help but love. Crafty gifts serve as a moment frozen in time, giving dads something to smile at for years to come. Happy crafting!

How We Developed This Article

We scoured the internet for fun, low-lift and age-appropriate Father’s Day crafts. We then reached out to the bloggers for permission to include their craft, share a photo, and link back to their sites. After editing, this article was fact-checked and reviewed through our thorough editorial review process.

About the author: Kristen Bringe is a freelance writer and mom who loves all things creativity. She holds a bachelor’s degree in studio art from the University of Georgia and delights in making colorful projects with her daughter.