10 DIY Gifts for Dad from Kids (Easy Father's Day Crafts for 2026)
DIY gifts for dad from kids are handmade crafts children create themselves for Father's Day, including painted art, personalized keychains, tie-dye projects, custom tumblers, and clay sculptures. The best options are quick to make (under an hour), require basic supplies, and result in something Dad can display or actually use. Below are 10 ideas organized by age group and skill level.
So you want to make a DIY gift for dad for Father's Day. Kids love making handmade Father's Day gifts! Spring is finally here, which means Father's Day is right around the corner. What better way to celebrate than a homemade gift from his kids?
Here's a list of some of my favorite Father's Day craft ideas (and yes, some are projects I've made myself to make your life a smidge easier!). Best of all, your kids can even include dad in the creative process!
DIY Father's Day Gifts for Kids
These projects are designed for little hands with a grown-up nearby. The goal is participation, not perfection. That's exactly what makes them so meaningful.
A Family Painting:
No, not a family portrait. Literally, painting with the family! This DIY gift for dad from his kids is the perfect way to bond as a family and get your hands super dirty while you're at it. Dad can hang the finished art in his office, and it becomes a keepsake that grows more meaningful over time.
Best for: All ages | Time: 1 to 2 hours | Supplies: Canvas, acrylic paint, brushes, drop cloth
A Dad Collage:
Grab some old magazines, scissors, and a glue stick and kids can create a frameable, personalized piece of art totally dedicated to their father. I love this project because it works for any age and no painting skills are needed. For a more advanced version, try my
For a more advanced version, try my image transfer technique using Liquitex Medium to incorporate a real photo of Dad into the collage.
Best for: Ages 5 and up | Time: 30 to 45 minutes | Supplies: Old magazines, scissors, glue stick, cardstock or canvas
DIY Tie Rack:
Sure, lots of people give ties for Father's Day, but where will Dad put them all? Here's a fun, simple DIY tie rack your children can make. Be sure to add some flair with paint or stickers to make it personal. It's a practical gift that actually solves a real problem.
Best for: Ages 6 and up | Time: 45 minutes | Supplies: Wooden dowel or rod, hooks, paint, stickers
Step-by-step instructions: DIY Tie Rack Tutorial via Craftaholics Anonymous
Photo credit: Craftaholics Anonymous
Tie-Dye Ties:
For those who do want to give the man of the house a tie, consider tie-dying one! It's hands-on, colorful, and the results are always a surprise. My Tie Dye Guide has all the instructions you need to create a memorable Father's Day gift. All you need is the tie.
Best for: Ages 6 and up | Time: 45 minutes plus cure time | Supplies: White tie, tie-dye kit, rubber bands, plastic wrap, gloves
Full instructions: Studio Art Beat Tie Dye Guide
Beards are totally in these days, but that doesn't mean Dad couldn't use a good shave now and then. Making homemade shaving cream is a fun Father's Day activity and the result smells great too. It's one of those gifts that surprises Dad because it's so thoughtful and useful.
Best for: Ages 8 and up with adult help | Time: 20 minutes | Supplies: Shea butter, coconut oil, essential oils (like rosemary or mint)
And while we’re talking about shaving cream, you can make dad a marbled trinket dish to put his keys & loose change in!
Make-Your-Own Coasters:
Raise a glass to Dad, then place it on one of these personalized marbled clay coasters. These are a personal favorite of mine because they look way fancier than they are to make. Kids twist together colored Sculpey polymer clay, roll it flat, cut it into circles, bake it, and finish the edges with a gold acrylic paint trim. The marble effect comes from blending the clay colors together before rolling, and every coaster turns out completely different. Dad ends up with a set that looks like it came from a boutique.
Best for: Ages 8 and up with adult help for the oven | Time: About 1 hour including bake time | Supplies: White and colored Sculpey polymer clay, acrylic rolling pin, round cookie cutter, acrylic paint (gold works great), parchment paper, oven
Trust me when I say: every time Dad picks up his drink, he'll think of his kids! This Father's Day craft is easy, creative, and will get lots of use. Kids decorate a plain foam koozie with fabric paint, permanent markers, or iron-on letters. Dad's name, a funny phrase, a hand-drawn design: all great options.
Best for: Ages 5 and up | Time: 20 minutes | Supplies: Plain foam koozie, fabric paint or permanent markers
Photo Credit: Merriment Design
Selfie Scrapbook:
If there's one thing kids are good at, it's taking selfies. Harness that talent and help your kids make a fun scrapbook full of close-ups with Dad. It might be one of the few times you ask them to pick up their phones instead of putting them down. Print the photos, add captions, stickers, and drawn decorations, and you have a gift Dad will pull out again and again.
Best for: Ages 6 and up | Time: 1 to 2 hours | Supplies: Printed photos, blank journal or scrapbook, stickers, markers, glue stick
This is one of my absolute favorite projects. I usually post this for Mother's Day but dads love these too and tend to keep them forever. Kids draw or trace a design onto a Shrinky Dink sheet, color it in, punch a hole, and bake it in the oven. The sheet shrinks down to a small, thick charm on a keyring. Every single time Dad reaches for his keys, he'll think of his kid.
Best for: Ages 7 and up | Time: 30 minutes | Supplies: Shrinky Dink sheets, colored pencils, scissors, hole punch, key ring, oven
Full step-by-step tutorial: Shrinky Dink Keychains at Art Beat Box
Whatever you and your kids create this Father's Day, it will be completely unique and special. Making art together is the whole point.
Want more Father's Day gift ideas? Check out my Dad Tumbler Ideas!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest DIY gift for dad from a toddler?
A family painting is the easiest Father's Day craft for very young kids. Set up a canvas with non-toxic paint and let little ones add their handprints or brushstrokes. It takes under 30 minutes and results in something Dad can frame and keep.
What can kids make for Father's Day at school?
Simple, no-mess crafts work best in a classroom setting. Good options include a Dad collage with magazine cutouts, a personalized drink koozie with fabric markers, or a Shrinky Dink keychain. These require minimal supplies and can be completed in a single class period.
What DIY Father's Day gift lasts the longest?
Personalized items tend to be kept the longest. The Shrinky Dink keychain is one Dad will carry every day for years. A framed family painting or Dad collage is a long-term keepsake. Functional items like coasters, koozies, and trinket dishes last because they get used every day.
How old does a child need to be to make a DIY Father's Day gift?
Even toddlers can participate in a family painting with a little help. Kids ages 5 and up can handle most projects on this list independently, including the collage, koozie, and coasters. The Shrinky Dink keychain and tie-dye projects are best for ages 7 and up.
What supplies do I need for DIY Father's Day crafts?
Most projects on this list use supplies you likely already have: acrylic paint, old magazines, scissors, a glue stick, and Mod Podge. A few projects need something specific, like Shrinky Dink sheets, a white tie, or a foam koozie. Each project above includes a full supply list.
