25 Father’s Day Crafts for Toddlers
If you have a toddler in your life that you need to assist with a Father’s Day craft, you landed in the right place! Here are 25 homemade gift ideas for Dad, especially for 2 and 3 year old babies! Plus, I’ve included some tips so you enjoy this experience with the tiny humans and not lose your sanity.
Toddlers and Father’s Day Crafts = Winning Combination (If Played Right😉)
Whether you’re a mom, dad, day care worker, preschool teacher or Sunday School angel, I’m pretty sure you have some toddlers in your life, seeing that you found your way here.
You don’t need me to tell you that while these children are incredibly adorable, working with 2 and 3 year olds is no joke.
Mom of twin boys here… I can attest to the fact that this age group brings parenting (or working with children) to a whole other level.
While amazingly sweet, toddlers can certainly be a challenge.
They are mastering so many new skills, reaching new milestones, growing in their communication abilities … it’s quite miraculous to witness, but it definitely comes with frustrations, too – for grown-ups and babies alike.
In lucid moments, we know these sweet babies aren’t trying to give us a hard time – they are having a hard time. But all the same, homemade Father’s Day gifts still need to get made right?
I’m assuming that you do not enjoy taking on new forms of torture, so I thought I might offer a few suggestions before giving you all the ideas.
If you tackle this task of helping a toddler make a Father’s Day gift with the right mindset and right expectations, things will go a lot more smoothly.
May I?
THE SMARTEST WAY TO APPROACH DIY FATHER’S DAY GIFTS WITH TODDLERS
While I can provide all the fun ideas and cute handprint crafts, it’s really the approach that will make this a success. Here are a pro-tips to keep in mind when working with 2 and 3 year olds…
1| THE DIY CRAFT WILL NOT BE AN ARTISTIC MASTERPIECE.
It’s smart to lower any and all expectations that the end result will be “pretty.”
It’s actually going to look like it was made by a toddler, unless an adult does most of the heavy lifting. And that’s OK!
Because whatever that child puts his or her hands to will warm the heart of Daddy.
2| CHOOSE YOUR LEVEL OF MESSINESS.
Two and three year olds are messy little monsters, in the sweetest way possible, right?
The degree of messiness you want to dive into is your choice. Do you want to include paint (which instantly causes mess potential to skyrocket)?
Do you want to cut and do prep work ahead of time or let them? How much do you want the child to do – the majority of the project or just act as more of a ‘helper’?
It’s smart to know how much you want the child or children to do independently and where they will need extra help.
There’s no right or wrong way to approach it– just know yourself and how much patience you have.
3| FINGERPRINT, THUMBPRINT, HANDPRINT CRAFTS ARE OFTEN EASIEST AND ESPECIALLY ADORABLE.
As you look through the ideas below, you’ll see TONS of options for thumbprint or handprint crafts (also as well as finger and footprint crafts).
(Here are sweet thumbprint clay keychains I made with my sons when they were toddlers).
These types of Father’s Day craft ideas are so popular because not only are they soooo adorable but also because they are very simple to make with 2 and 3 year olds.
Toddlers are at the very beginning stage of holding crayons and other writing utensils in their hands, and most skills are still in the development stage.
However, DIY gifts that involve tracing handprints and stamping thumbprints are absolutely adorable, very easy, and not too messy.
As a mom of twins who had a run for her money in the toddler stage, I’m always a fan of simple gift ideas. And you cannot go wrong with a gift that involves those sweety little handprints.
4| FREE PRINTABLES ARE SO, SO HELPFUL.
Many Father’s Day ideas for two or three year olds use free printables, whether it be a coloring sheet, a traceable, a poem, or a template.
Those makes this task so much easier on both you and the child; often, you can just take the project and place it in a frame, and you have a really sweet present for Dad.
Free printables also work especially well for creating a great last minute gift!
5| MODIFY CRAFTS FOR THE APPROPRIATE SKILL LEVEL.
The projects you see are specifically for two and three year olds, but many can also be adjusted so older siblings can join as well.
Or, they can easily be simplified if they end up being too advanced for the toddler.
These DIY crafts are very adaptable so feel free to modify for the child you’re giving a little help to or for the other children who may want to create a gift as well.
25 Easy and Adorable Father’s Day Crafts for Toddlers
Father's Day Handprint Art for Dad
I cannot deal with how cute this is! This is such a cute option for all the father figures!
“Hands Down Best Dad” Father’s Day Handprint Gift
Handprint art truly makes a great gift. It's a precious keepsake for years to come.
Father's Day Handprint Suncatcher Craft
Another sweet handprint Father's Day craft that uses large popsicles sticks to create this suncatcher!
Cut, Color, Paste Father's Day Activity
This is a super-cute craft for kids to cut and color, and then paste together and place on a background! Six different options to choose from! A super sweet keepsake for Dad!
Wood Slice Handprint Art for Father's Day
Handprint art may seem common, but it truly is one of the easiest and most precious things you can do with children at this age. There are so many ways to make it original, and I love this spin using a wood slice, especially if dad is an outdoorsy, fisherman type of guy.
Tiny Little Hands Will Melt Dad’s Heart
Handprint Shrinky Dink keychains.... another fantastic Shrinky Dink option if you'd rather try keychains instead of magnets!
Grill Mitt Homemade For Dad
Another super-cute homemade gift idea using a child's handprint! And I'm sure Mom will love that Dad gets his own set of oven mits!
Following in Dad's Footsteps Printable Footprint Craft
It truly doesn't get easier or sweeter than this. A free printable, a painted footprint, and you'll have something dad will love forever.
The Sweetest Father's Day Footprint Art
If Dad loves peppers- and even if he doesn't - this truly is an original project for a footprint craft! So stinkin' adorable and really, good for kids of all ages! Even better if you have a spicy child.
“Dad is My Rock” Frame DIY Gift: Easy Dollar Tree Craft
A picture frame, some paint, letter stickers, and rocks... this all comes together so adorably! With just a little help from a grownup, this one is sure fire hit! (Can adapt to say, 'Dad is My Rock.'
Quick Craft: Father's Day Feet Bookmarks
I honestly love that the footprint itself is the craft. What a clever idea for a bookmark that's a special gift to touch Dad's heart.
I Toetally Love You Foot Print Keepsake
C'mon now! How cute is this! Another sweet gift idea using the child's footprint.
Shrinky Dink Fridge Magnets
This is a super-fun craft not just for Dad to receive but for a 2 or 3 year old to make. You capture their precious footprint forever, and they get to watch all of the magic taking place through the oven door.
Easy Popsicle Father's Day Card Craft with Printable
This is a such a fun gift! It comes with an easy printable, and even it's toddler scribbles, it so endearing and sweet for the best dad in the world.
Kids' Alphabet Photo Frame Craft
Not only is this adorable, but it also helps your toddler letter recognition and fine motor skills.
Dinner for Dad Placemat
You can let your little one color and create to his or her heart's content! This is amazing if you're also planning a special meal for dad.
Nailed It Father's Day Craft
This is so original! The paint is forearm and fist impression in paint! So precious!
You Rock DIY Fathers Day Frame
What toddler doesn't love to collect rocks? And what family doesn't have random rocks lying around the house? Here's where you can put them all to good use!
Teddy Bear Card with Photo
Not only do you have those sweet googly eyes from the bear staring back, but you'll also have Daddy's sweet child as well! And don't miss the bear's nose - tiny fingerprints!
Baseball Glove Photo Pop-Up Father's Day Card
Is Dad a baseball lover? Then this Father's Day craft would be perfect for him!
Pom Pom Frame
This handmade gift is perfect for little hands! Your child's best art, saved forever.
Fish Father's Day Card
Another adorable idea for a dad who loves fishing! This is an easy Father's Day card is so precious!
Father's Day Gift- Watercolor Resist Bookmarks
This is a meaningful gift that will remind Dad of his kids every time he opens a book! Kids of all ages will love this process, and it's ever easily adapted for the older kids in the family!
Crayon Father's Day Card
This is a sweet work of art from a toddler, and you can use this crayon and tape method with any saying you choose!
DIY Sharpie Mugs: EVERYTHING You Could Possibly Want to Know
A littler toddler will need some help negotiating the mug, but this project can be a simple as letting them loose with a paint pen! For more structure, you can put sticker shapes or word on the mug and have the child color around them (or over them - same difference) for a more 'polished' mug!
DIY for Dad ** King of the Grill Apron for Father’s Day
This is such a fun idea for Dad! It looks fancy but this really is easy enough for a 2 or 3 year old to do, with some help from a grown-up.
Necktie Key Ring
Here's another key chain craft if you think a Daddy tie is more his language! Easy for a toddler to decorate -and even if Mom doesn't sew, hot glue usually is the perfect substitute.
CRAFT SUPPLIES
This post contains affiliate links. See Disclosures for details.
Most of these simple projects use your basic craft supplies, but here are few things you may want to have on hand:
PIPE CLEANERS, POM POMS AND GOOGLY EYES
More Father’s Day Craft Ideas for Kids
If you need more ideas for crafts and homemade gifts for Father’s Day, I have a few more you can look through. These are suitable for kids of all ages!
25+ Homemade Father’s Day Gifts from Kids {That Dad Can Actually Use}
Homemade DIY Father’s Day Cards & Gifts with Free Printables
If you create any of these projects, I’d love to see them! Please tag me on Instagram @100affections or leave a comment on Pinterest!
Other thoughts? I’d love to hear them. Leave a comment below!
