Growing up, I always realized dads weren’t like moms when it came to gifts. They never bragged about what they got or where they got it from. You never really saw their gifts displayed around the house like some moms did. Fast forward years later, and many dads can vividly recall the handmade card, simple drawing, or small gift their child gave them when they were younger.
I remember sitting and watching my dad open up a gift from my sis one Father’s Day. It was nothing expensive by any means. In fact, it was quite the opposite. It was a small picture frame she had stuffed stickers and handwriting all over. Everyone else was opening up the bigger gifts they got and were proudly displaying them around the room. But for the next ten minutes, my dad sat there reading every word she wrote to him.
That was the moment I realized most fathers care more about meaning rather than money. If you’re looking for Father’s Day gift ideas from kids that will make Dad smile, keep reading. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to show Dad you love him. Some of the best gifts he will receive are the ones that show appreciation, effort, and detail. No matter if your kids are young toddlers or older teenagers, these gifts are sure to help create a Father’s Day he’ll remember.
20 Father’s Day Gift Ideas From Kids
1. Personalized Handmade Card
There is something super special about giving Dad a handmade card. Sure, stores sell them, and many of them are great, but kids’ handwriting, pictures, and personal messages from the heart mean everything. The cool part is most dads save these cards for as long as they have.
Help your kids write things they love about Dad. Maybe he taught them something, they have favorite memories, or just everyday things he does that make them smile. Words like “Thanks for teaching me how to ride a bike” can hit right home.
You can even add stickers, pictures, handprints, and colorful drawings to the card. This simple Father’s Day gift idea costs hardly anything and will end up being one of his prized possessions.
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2. Fill a Memory Jar With Notes of Things You Appreciate About Him
One of the best gifts kids can give Dad is a memory jar filled with notes on why you appreciate him. All you have to do is grab a jar and cut up small strips of paper. On each slip of paper, write down a memory you have with Dad, something you like about him, or why you can’t live without him.
It doesn’t matter if you’re six or sixty, the written words of appreciation mean the world to your father. Not only can he look back at this jar whenever he needs a pick me up, but every time he reads one of your notes, he is reminded of the impact he has made on your life. Something like this turns Father’s Day into a day he can celebrate all year long!
If you have toddlers, have your spouse help write the notes and let your child dictate what they want to say. The final product is priceless and costs very little.
Read also: 18 Father’s Day Gift Ideas to Surprise Your Boyfriend
3. Build a Customized Photo Album
Pictures tell a story that no one can take away from you. Putting together a photo album full of memories that Dad can cherish on Father’s Day is priceless.
Try and find pictures that depict vacations you’ve taken, birthdays, holidays, family get togethers, sporting events, or even everyday moments. Dad will love seeing how far he and your family have come. Include little captions and messages with the pictures for extra details.
Years down the road, I can promise you he will take this picture album out and look through it, remembering all the milestones he reached with your family.
4. Make Dad a Coupon Book
Coupons are a great way for kids to gift experiences to Dad rather than physical objects. There are an unlimited amount of coupons you can create. Ideas include: cooking him breakfast in bed, renting a movie, washing his car, doing the dishes, giving a back rub, family game night, etc.
What’s nice about this gift is Dad is going to spend more quality time with you. Instead of getting another thing to put in his garage or on a shelf, he’s receiving more of you. It lets him know you want to spend time with him.
Print some coupons out and let your kids go crazy decorating. They can make them as colorful or as fun as they want. Don’t forget to personalize the coupons with things Dad really enjoys.
5. Decorate a Frame and Place One of Your Favorite Family Photos Inside of It
This may be the simplest Father’s Day gift from kids on the list, but I promise it’s also one of the best. Grab a simple frame and place one of your favorite family photos inside of it. Dad will adore having something that reminds him every day what he’s working for.
All you have to do is find a photo that displays you and your family smiling. It doesn’t have to be professional by any means. Matter of fact, I think fun selfies are better! Once you have your photo, pick it up and frame it.
Let your kids decorate the frame however they would like. They can add stickers, glitter, drawings, or even write a note on the back for Dad.
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6. Create a DIY Trophy
Every Dad should feel like a champion! All you have to do is buy your kids a trophy from the local store. Then have them create a custom award for Dad. Ideas include: World’s Best Dad, Dad of the Year, Funniest Father, or Greatest Father Alive.
Not only is this gift meaningful, but it’ll probably make Dad laugh when he sees what you all came up with. The better the titles get, the cooler Dad will look reading it.
Have your kids write down little things that Dad did to deserve the award. This simple and fun gift turns into a meaningful gesture of gratitude.
7. Handprint/Footprint Craft
I know what you’re thinking, “Won’t Dad think this is cheesy?” Truth is, handprint and footprint crafts are super valuable, especially as your kids get older. Most parents never think about how much meaning this will have for Dad down the road.
Purchase a canvas and some paint. Let your kids paint their hands and feet and place them all over the canvas. Then write Dad some happy Father’s Day messages or have your little ones try.
Hang this canvas up in the house, and Dad will see it every day. Once your kids grow up, they will have something that depicts how small their hands and feet once were. Trust me… they’re treasures!
8. Dad’s Favorite Snack Basket
Dad loves snacks? Fill up a basket with his favorite goodies! Whether he likes Lay’s Chips, Almond Joys, Pepsi, or Snickers, you can customize a basket full of things he enjoys.
Not only does this show him you pay attention to the little things he loves, but it also allows your kids to be creative. Let them make the snacks little labels, decorations, or even write a note on why they love eating these snacks with Dad.
9. Make Dad Breakfast
Believe it or not, some of the best gifts your kids can give Dad are time. Prepare him a nice breakfast in bed and let him relax. Whether you make pancakes, eggs, bacon, toast, cereal, or fruit, Dad is going to love sitting back and eating with your family.
The best part is kids of all ages can help prepare breakfast. You can even have toddlers help place something on the table or pour milk into cups. Preparation is what counts.
This allows Dad to wake up and spend time with his kids instead of rushing out the door to work. He’ll feel so appreciated, and that’s what matters.
10. Personalized Coffee Mug
Purchase a plain mug and let your kids decorate away! They can use paint markers to draw on the mug, or even turn a photo into a mug that Dad can enjoy on Father’s Day.
Every time he uses the mug, he is going to be reminded of who gave it to him. That’s what makes gifts from the heart so special, they continue to bring joy weeks or even months after the holiday.
Print some funny family quotes, jokes, or sayings that Dad will enjoy looking at.
11. Fill a Box With Movie Night Favorites
Dad likes to relax and spend time with the family? Fill a box up with popcorn, candy, drinks, and his favorite movies. Print some movie tickets and let your kids decorate the box!
Not only does Dad get to enjoy movie night, he gets to spend it with all of you! To him, that is better than any new tech gadget or video game.
This gift shows Dad you value spending time with him more than buying something that takes up space.
12. Create a DIY Keychain
Keychains are great because Dad will have it with him everywhere he goes. Once he receives the keychain from your kids, it’ll be one more thing that reminds him of them when they aren’t around.
Purchase a cheap keychain from your local craft store and let your kids decorate it. They can use beads, leather, clay, wood, etc.
Make it extra special and have your kids add their name, nickname, or the year on the keychain.
13. Reasons We Love Dad Poster
Grab a large piece of paper and have each family member write down why they love Dad. Kids can even draw pictures on the poster to express what they want to say.
Some things will be silly while others will be heartfelt, but that’s what makes this poster so great. When Dad reads through every reason why you love him, he is going to feel like the world.
14. Personalized T Shirt
Everyone loves wearing shirts that have some meaning to them. Let your kids design a shirt Dad can wear on Father’s Day!
Whether they use paint markers and draw all over it, add handprints, write a funny saying, or turn a family photo into a shirt, Dad will love wearing it. He’ll proudly wear it around, showing everyone the amazing kids he has.
Kids love seeing their parent wear something they helped create, which is what makes this gift special for them too!
15. Plan a Family Adventure Day
Instead of buying your dad something, why not give him the gift of spending time with your family? Plan a day full of his favorite activities.
Maybe he loves fishing, hiking, playing games, going to museums, or playing catch. Take a day and plan something that revolves around things he enjoys.
Giving Dad experiences rather than material items will create stronger memories.
16. Homemade Picture Frame
Hit up the craft store and let your kids decorate a picture frame to their liking. Let them use paint, stickers, glitter, ribbons, buttons, or whatever they want to give Dad a one of a kind picture frame.
Not only did they spend time making it, but you can add Dad’s favorite picture inside of it. This gift is great because it allows younger kids to help create something while also giving Dad something useful to hang up in the house.
17. Create a Scrapbook
Scrapbooks are similar to photo albums except you have more room to be creative. Kids can fill a scrapbook full of pictures, drawings, notes, and things you have done as a family.
You can create different pages for every season, show off accomplishments, or even document your family’s journey through photos.
Scrapbooks are great gifts because Dad can pull it out at any time and be transported back to that moment.
18. Create a Book Full of Favorite Memories
Similar to scrapbooks, you can create a book that is specifically dedicated to favorite memories. Have each child write down a memory that stands out to them.
They don’t have to be big memories. Sometimes it can be the small everyday things that make a child love their dad. Reading through each memory will let Dad know he has impacted your lives in so many ways.
19. Build Dad a DIY Desk Organizer
If Dad works from home or spends a lot of time at a desk, build him a homemade desk organizer. Purchase some containers, boxes, or mason jars and let your kids decorate!
They can add stickers, glitter, paint, photos, notes, or anything they can think of to create Dad a useful organizer he can keep at his desk. Not only will he be reminded of you every time he uses it, but it’ll keep his desk looking together.
20. Record Dad a Video Message
Allowing your kids to record Dad a video saying why they love him or what they’re grateful for will mean the world. Not only does he get to see their face, but he hears their cute little voice as well.
Videos are precious because as time goes by, those memories are priceless. What once was your little child will now be something you grew into together.
Parents love hearing from their kids, and if you’ve got more than one child, allow them to each record their own video message.
Conclusion
When your child gives Dad a gift from the heart, that’s when you’ll see him light up. I know every parent wants the best for their kids when it comes to gift giving. But does Dad really need 10 more things to put around his house or garage?
Tools, clothing, toys, and various gadgets come and go, but having your kids grow up to be happy, healthy adults is what we all truly want. When preparing your child for gift shopping, help them put effort and detail into something Dad will love. Whether it be a homemade card, memory jar, photo album, or video message, showing Dad you care about him will mean more than any price tag.
He may not remember what he received every year, but he’ll remember how those gifts made him feel.
FAQ
What are the best Father’s Day gifts from young kids?
Since young kids don’t have as much fine motor skills as our older children, some of the best gifts are handmade cards, handprint crafts, drawings, memory jars, and homemade picture frames.
What can my kids give Dad if we have no money?
There are tons of gifts that cost either little to nothing. Kids could make Dad a homemade card, create a coupon book, record a video message, prepare breakfast, or build a memory jar.
What is a sentimental Fathers Day gift from a kid?
Any gift that Dad can look at and preserve a memory or your appreciation would be considered sentimental. Ideas include: scrapbook, memory jar, video message, or personalized photo album.
Are homemade Father’s Day gifts better than store bought?
It all depends on the person. But most dads prefer something that came from their child’s heart. I’ve seen dads save homemade gifts for as long as they lived.
What Father’s Day gift can siblings make together?
If you have more than one child helping with gifts, they can create a family memory poster, scrapbook, build a customized photo album, record a video tribute, or decorate a picture frame for Dad.
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