5 craft ideas for dad

Scrapbook

This is a hugely popular activity and allows your kids to be as creative as they like. It's something you can even give your own dad. Scrapbooking stores are everywhere and offer all kinds of accents that are sure to fit any dad's personality. Use photos of the kids with dad (or you and your dad) from over the years, find old photos from when he was a child, or focus on a trip or experience that was particularly meaningful. The options are endless.

All of dad's favorites

Grab an empty can or basket and fill it with all of dad's favorite snacks, such as peanuts, m&ms, crackerjacks, or things he'll be able to use such as golf balls, tees or tools. On the outside, have your kids decorate it with images of things that represent dad. Another idea is to wrap printed photos of dad and the kids around it.

Personalize the BBQ

Pick up a canvas apron, solid colored oven mitts, wood-handled grilling tools and fabric paints, brushes and paint applicators. Give your kids the supplies and let them personalize dad's gift by decorating it "#1 Dad" or any way they like. 

Mini golf

Set up a mini course in your backyard, or if it's a rainy day, put it in your basement. Get creative by making holes out of cans or pails and have your kids decorate each one, making them fun and festive. Duplicate a real mini course by constructing a make-shift windmill, draw a castle on some cardboard and cut out a hole in the bottom or use toys and furniture to create obstacles. Your kids can use their creativity building the course and then enjoy some fun, quality time playing it with dad afterwards.

Fly a kite

Making a kite is one thing, but the real fun will be flying it with dad afterwards. The Big Wind Kite Factory offers these simple instructions on how to make dad a special Father's Day kite:

1. Fold a sheet of 8 1/2" x 11" paper in half to 8 1/2" x 5 1/2".
2. Fold again along the diagonal line A in Fig. 2.
3. Fold back one side forming kite shape in Fig. 3 and place tape firmly along fold line AB.(No stick is needed here because the fold stiffens the paper and acts like a spine.)
4. Place an 8" bamboo shish kabob stick from point C to D and tape it down firmly.
5. Cut off 6 to 10 feet of plastic ribbon and tape it to the bottom of the kite at B.
6. Flip kite over onto its back and fold the front flap back and forth until it stands straight up. (Otherwise it acts like a rudder and the kite spins around in circles.)
7. Punch a hole in the flap at E, about 1/3 down from the top point A.
8. Tie one end of the string to the hole and wind the other end onto the cardboard string winder.

More crafty tips:

• 5 innovative Father's Day gifts for the hip & healthy dad
• Million dollar gift giving ideas for all occasions
  
• Your kid's artwork: What to keep & what to throw away