Making a useful craft for Father’s Day can be somewhat of a challenge with little kids. Sure, dad would appreciate anything his little one made, but making a gift that won’t just collect dust can be more rewarding. For this Father’s Day, my son and I made an apron for dad to be used for grilling. (Isn’t it funny how the guy who never cooks indoors LOVES to cook outdoors with fire?) This project could easily be done using a plain white or other light colored tee shirt or even a piece of canvas that can be framed.

For our apron project, we used a plain white apron purchased at the craft store, fabric paints and a fabric marker. Other supplies needed: sponge brushes and paper towels for clean up. In the craft store you’ll find an asile full of fabric safe paints and embellishments, along with various tees, shopping bags, aprons, and other items that can be used with fabric. While it was just one child making this gift, if you have several children, it is helpful to have each child pick one color of paint to use, so that their handprints or designs are easier to identify on the final product.

We chose to do hand and footprints using the fabric paint on our apron. A painted design by the kids could just as easily be done, although it is a bit more difficult to paint with brushes on some fabrics. Fabric markers may work much easier for little kids if they would rather color a design or scribble a picture instead.

We did this project in the bathroom, next to the bathtub, for quick clean up! (It was rainy outside.) Fabric paint dries fast! I used a sponge brush to coat the bottom of my son’s feet, one at a time, and helped him with placement of his foot. After the first foot, I wrapped his painted foot in a paper towel, then worked with the second foot, then stuck him in the tub to clean off the paint. Hands were a bit easier, but again, little kids will need guidance so that they don’t end up accidently painting the walls!

After my son’s painted prints dried, I used the fabric marker to embellish the apron with a message to Daddy and a funny quote by Homer Simpson, since my husband is a big Simpson’s fan. This was a fun project that I know my husband will love using.

Other Father’s Day craft ideas:

Create a puzzle from a favorite photo: print a photo of daddy and child, either at home or at a photo center. Blow it up to 8 x 10 if possible. Adhere the photo to a piece of cardboard or foamcore with spray adhesive. On the back of the cardboard/foamcore, Mom or other adult can draw a puzzle design for little kids and use an exacto knife to cut out the pieces. (Older kids could design their own puzzle, but an adult probably should cut it out!) Kids can decorate a manilla envelope or small box to hold the puzzle.

Create a photo book for dad using one of the online companies that feature them. We did this last year and it was a hit! (Snapfish.com, Shutterfly.com and Picaboo.com all offer various deals on photobooks.) Use a collection of favorite photos of dad and the kids and include funny captions.

Bake Dad’s favorite dessert and present it on Father’s Day. Cookies or brownies in a box decorated by the kids makes it even more special. Or use a plain cookie tin and have the kids use paint markers to decorate it and personalize it for dad.

Kids Crafts is a website full of other fun crafting ideas!

You can follow Diane’s adventures with her preschooler on her blog Knitting Zeal!