13 Father’s Day Crafts For Preschoolers

Father’s Day is a perfect moment for little ones to create something heartfelt for dads, stepdads, grandfathers, uncles, or other male figures in their lives they celebrate for Father's Day. Below you’ll find easy, low-mess Father’s Day crafts for preschoolers and toddler-friendly projects that teachers, parents, and kids all love.

At Primary Beginnings, our 5-star preschool in Raleigh, we help children get creative by incorporating simple craft activities into our curriculum. Whether its for Father's Day, Mother's Day, or another holiday celebration that kids love, our early childhood educators give kids the tools they need to develop their minds and fine motor skills while showing appreciation for the beloved adults in their lives.

Why These Activities Make Great Father’s Day Gifts

Beyond being cute, these crafts support development milestones for toddlers as well as fostering family connection, including:

• Fine-motor practice (cutting, gluing, painting).
• Early literacy (dictating a note, recognizing “Dad,” “love”).
• Executive function (planning steps, waiting for glue/paint to dry).
• Emotional expression (naming what we love about the adults in our lives).
• Keepsakes families will hang, frame, and cherish for years.

Quick Tips for Crafting With Kids

Before you dive in to our Father's Day craft ideas, it's helpful to set yourself up for a smooth, fun experience. Simple prep helps preschoolers focus on the creative part of the exercise while giving supervising adults the space they need to demonstrate, offer support, and encourage creativity in an enjoyable environment.

Keep directions short, model each step, and celebrate the effort—not perfection:

• Add the child’s name, age, and the year on the back to turn it into a keepsake they’ll treasure forever.
• Cover the table with craft paper or a trash bag for easy cleanup.
• Choose large, easy-to-grip tools (jumbo crayons, chubby brushes, glue sticks).
• Use washable, non-toxic paint and school glue.
• Pre-cut construction paper shapes for toddlers.
• Write a short “note to Dad” for your child if they’re not writing yet.

Father’s Day Crafts for 2-Year-Olds

Two-year-olds love texture, stamping, and big motions. These toddler-friendly Father’s Day projects use simple steps and sturdy materials to support sensory exploration, language growth (naming colors and shapes), and early fine-motor control.

1. Kid's Handprint “Best Dad” Art

This handprint craft captures a moment in time and encourages body awareness (“my hand,” “Dad’s hand”). Naming colors and saying “Best Dad” builds vocabulary and confidence while creating a keepsake families will proudly showcase at home or work.

Supplies: white cardstock, washable paint, wipes, marker.

Steps:

1. Paint your child’s hand and help press a centered handprint.
2. Add “Best Dad Hands Down!” and your child’s name/age/year.
3. Let dry and slip into a picture frame.

2. Finger-Paint “Toolbox” Silhouette

Big arm movements and finger-painting support bilateral coordination and sensory play. The toolbox shape connects learning to real-life tools many adults use, sparking conversation about the helpers in our lives.

Supplies: cardstock, painter’s tape, washable paint.

Steps:

1. Create a simple toolbox outline with tape on cardstock.
2. Invite your child to finger-paint the page.
3. Peel tape to reveal a clean “tool box” silhouette for dad who loves tools.

3. “Daddy & Me” Scribble Card

Early mark-making is the foundation of writing. Dictating a short message to an adult nurtures expressive language and strengthens the child–parent bond by putting their words on paper.

Supplies: folded construction paper, jumbo crayons, stickers.

Steps:

1. Inside, write their words: “Happy Father’s Day!” with a short note.
2. Let your child fill the front with big scribbles and stickers.

Father’s Day Crafts for 3-Year-Olds

Three-year-olds are ready for 2–4 steps and love to “help.” These ideas add just enough structure to practice planning, sequencing, and early literacy.

4. Popsicle Stick Roll-Up Card

Listing “five reasons” you love dad invites storytelling and social-emotional learning about the important adults in our lives. Decorating sticks develops grasp strength and hand–eye coordination.

Supplies: 8 jumbo craft sticks, markers, glue stick, 4"×5.5" cardstock, ribbon.

Steps:

1. Decorate 8 sticks with patterns or “Dad,” “love,” and hearts.
2. Ask your child for five favorite things about dad; write them on the cardstock.
3. Line up sticks horizontally, glue the cardstock on top, let dry.
4. Roll and tie with ribbon—perfect for a desk drawer or to hang.

5. “Following in Daddy’s Footsteps” Card

Comparing big and small footprints builds math vocabulary (big/small, inside/outside) and spatial awareness. Children feel proud to “match” Dad, Grandpa, or an uncle—reinforcing family connections.

Supplies: dad’s clean shoe, two paint colors, cardstock, brush.

Steps:

1. Add the phrase and date; frame when dry.
2. Paint the shoe tread and press a footprint on cardstock; dry.
3. Make a child’s painted footprint inside the shoe print.

6. Photo Magnet Frame

Placing a photo in a frame supports visual-perceptual skills, and magnets make it easy to showcase the finished work. Labeling the frame encourages early letter recognition (“D-A-D”).

Supplies: adhesive foam sheet, 2"x3" photo, stickers, peel-and-stick magnets.

Steps:

1. Cut a window in foam; stick the photo behind it.
2. Decorate the frame with stickers and the word “Dad.”
3. Attach magnets to the back and hang on the fridge.

Father's Day Projects for Toddlers Aged 4 and 5

Older toddlers enjoy projects with a few more steps and can practice early writing by adding labels or a note. These crafts support planning, patience, and creativity—skills that help them thrive in school and at home.

7. Salt Dough Heart Picture Frame

Mixing and kneading strengthen hand muscles for future writing and scissor skills. This durable keepsake turns a favorite photo into a gift meant to last. Oven use is intended for an adult.

Supplies: 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 1 cup water, paint (optional), cookie cutter/cup, photo, glue.

Steps:

1. Glue in a photo with dad; add child’s name and year.
2. Mix, knead, and roll dough to ~½" thick.
3. Cut a heart/window for the photo; add your child’s handprint.
4. Bake on low (2–3 hours) until hard; cool and paint if desired; seal.

8. “Building Memories With Dad” Jar

Choosing an activity builds decision-making and gives kids a voice in family time. Reading simple picture cues or words with an adult supports early literacy—and the experiences you build together become the real gift.

Supplies: mason jar, large bricks/blocks, permanent marker, simple label.

Steps:

1. Pick a brick on weekends and stack outside the jar to show memories “built.”
2. Ask your child for favorite dad-and-me ideas (walks, drawing, baseball catch, storytime, park play).
3. Write one activity per brick and fill the jar under a “Building Memories” label.

9. “Dad Rocks” Paperweight

Painting a rock invites creative risk-taking and precision. The finished paperweight makes it easy to showcase a child’s artwork at home or in an office—reminding Dad he’s #1.

Supplies: smooth rock, acrylic paint/paint pens, clear sealer.

Steps:

1. Paint patterns or “#1 Dad.”
2. Seal when dry; great for the office or home desk.

Daycare Father’s Day Crafts for Toddlers

These daycare Father’s Day crafts for toddlers are quick to prep, low-mess, and scalable for a whole class. Think stickers, dot markers, and pre-cut shapes. Add a printed “About My Dad” prompt to capture adorable quotes from children who can’t quite write yet.

10. Sticker-Tie Card

Peeling and placing stickers build pincer grasp and focus. Kids love gifting a “tie” to the important adults in their lives—Dad, Grandpa, or an uncle.

• Pre-cut necktie shapes from construction paper.
• Children decorate with dot stickers; glue to folded cards labeled “Happy Father’s Day.”

11. Dot-Marker “Best Dad” Poster

Repetitive dotting supports rhythm, attention, and hand strength. The bold letters are easy to see and fun to fill.

• Provide printable sheets with “Best Dad” outlined in block letters.
• Children fill letters with dot markers; teachers add name/age/year.

12. Thumbprint Baseball (or Golf Ball) Mini-Art

Thumbprints foster fine-motor isolation and make an instant keepsake. Great for sports-loving families—and perfect to pair with a “dessert date” coupon if Dad has a sweet tooth.

• Stamp a white circle; children add red thumbprint “stitches” (baseball) or green dabs on a tee (golf).
• Caption with “Let’s Play, Dad!”

13. Foam “Trophy for Dad”

Assembling simple 3D shapes introduces early engineering concepts. Children proudly award their “#1” to the hero they intended to celebrate.

• Use foam cups upside down on a foam base; pre-attach paper handles.
• Children add stickers and “#1 Dad” labels.

Simple Father’s Day Crafts for Preschoolers

Short on time? These easy Father’s Day crafts take 15 minutes or less and still feel extra special. Each one can be customized for Dad—and they’re perfect add-ons to showcase with a handmade card.

• Construction-Paper Medal: Circle + ribbon tails; add “Best Dad.” Encourages scissor practice and shape recognition.
• Handprint High-Five Card: Trace/cut a hand; write “High-Five, Dad!” inside. A quick handprint craft that doubles as a confidence booster.
• Photo Bookmark: Strip of cardstock, photo at top, hole punch + ribbon. Supports practical life skills—kids love seeing their picture used daily.
• “Coupon Book” for Dad: Staple 4–6 strips: “One backyard catch,” “Help wash the car,” “Quiet reading time,” or a “sweet tooth treat” coupon. Builds empathy and gives children agency in gifting.

Enrich Your Child's Early Creativity at Our Raleigh Preschool

At Primary Beginnings, we build crafts—and confidence. Our teachers design craft projects for kids that foster creativity, language development, and fine-motor skills in a warm, supportive environment.

Schedule a tour at one of our three locations in Raleigh or contact us to learn more about our early childhood programs and availability. Get started today by calling   919-790-6888 or filling out our online contact form below.