WALLET COLLAGE
A "World's Greatest Dad" T-shirt may be nice, but this wallet-size collage is a gift Dad will really welcome. Cut a credit-card-size rectangle out of poster board. Have your kids decorate both sides with messages, stickers, drawings and glued-on photographs. To make the card sturdier, cover it on both sides with clear Con-Tact paper or run it through the laminator at your local copy shop (about $2). Dad can keep the card in his wallet and take it with him wherever he goes—a reminder of who loves him best of all.
PUPPY DOG PENCIL HOLDER
The next time Dad needs someone to fetch him a pencil, this desktop dog can deliver. It's made out of four pinch-style wooden clothespins, craft glue, felt, googly eyes and a pom-pom.
To form the front end of the dog, pinch open a clothespin and apply glue to the inner surface of the opened end. Then, clamp the glued end onto a second clothespin, just behind the metal spring. For the dog's tail end, glue and clamp together the last two clothespins so that one holds the other wide open. When the glue is dry, fit the opened end of the back half onto the lower end of the front half, as pictured. Apply glue to bond the two sections.
From the felt, cut out floppy ears and circular paws. Glue them, the googly eyes and the pom-pom nose onto the dog. If your child wishes, he can add spots or other distinguishing details with craft paints or colored markers. Finally, pinch open the dog's mouth and insert a pencil, balancing its weight equally on both sides.
(The last two crafts were originally published in FamilyFun magazine.)
Chip Off the Old Block Gift
Instructions: I got out the saw and cut myself four blocks of wood from an old 2x4 headed for the fireplace.
They ended up being more of a rectanglular shape. Then I sanded them. With a srewdriver and hammer I chipped a corner off. I'm going to put a coat of clear varnish on them. When they dry I will write on one side, "Just a chip off the old block". On the other side I'm going to glue a picture of the child. I'm going to write the childs name on the "chip" and glue it on the top. Have the children decorate the block special for dad.
Father's Day Footprint Craft
I plan to print the following poem out in a very large footprint and then actually have the children make a footprint over the words with watered down tempra paints. I'm going to laminate it and put string on the back for hanging.
Footprints
"Walk a little slower daddy,"
Said a child so small.
I'm following in your footsteps and I don't want to fall.
Sometimes your steps are very fast,
Sometimes they're hard to see;
So walk a little slower, Daddy,
For you are leading me.
Someday when I'm all grown up,
You're what I want to be;
Then I will have a little child
Who'll want to follow me.
And I would want to lead just right,
And know that I was true;
So, walk a little slower, Daddy,
For I must follow you."
A Father's Love
Fathers seldom say "I love you"
Though the feeling's always there,
But somehow those three little words
Are the hardest ones to share.
And fathers say "I love you"
In ways that words can't match -
With tender bedtime stories -
Or a friendly game of catch!
You can see the words "I love you"
In a father's boyish eyes
When he runs home, all excited,
With a poorly wrapped surprise.
A father says "I love you"
With his strong helping hands -
With a smile when you're in trouble
With the way he understands.
He says "I love you" haltingly,
With awkward tenderness -
(It's hard to help a four-year-old into a party dress!)
He speaks his love unselfishly
By giving all he can
To make some secret dream come true,
Or follow through a plan.
A father's seldom-spoken love
Sounds clearly through the years -
Sometimes in peals of laughter,
Sometimes through happy tears.
Perhaps they have to speak their love
In a fashion all their own.
Because the love that fathers feel
Is too big for words alone!
Author Unknown
Fathers
When the good Lord was creating Fathers,
He started with a tall frame.
An angel nearby said "What kind of a Father is that?
If you're going to make children so close to the ground,
Why have you put the Father up so high?
He won't be able to shoot marbles without kneeling,
Play pretend drinking tea, and kiss dollie goodnight,
Tuck a child in bed without bending,
Or even kiss a child without stooping"
God smiled and said,
"Yes, but if I make him child size,
Who would children have to look up to?"
And when God made a Father's hands, they were large.
The angel said,"Large hands can't manage diaper pins,
Small buttons, rubber bands on pony tails,
Or even remove splinters caused from baseball bats."
Again God smiled and said,
"I know, but they're large enough to hold
everything a small boy empties from his pockets,
All the paper dolls, sing songs, jump rope,
And teach her to turn cartwheels.
Yet small enough to cup a child's face in them."
Then God molded long slim legs and broad shoulders,
"Do you realize you just made a Father without a lap?"
The angel chuckled.
God said, "A Mother needs a lap.
A Father needs strong shoulders
To pull a wagon, to balance a bicycle,
Or to hold a sleepy head on the way home from the circus."
When God was in the middle of creating
The biggest body any one had ever seen,
The angel said, "That's not fair.
Do you honestly think that form is going to get
Out of bed early in the morning when the baby cries,
Or walk through a birthday party without
Crushing one or two of the guests?"
God again smiled and said,
"It will work. You will see.
It will support a small child who wants to ride to Branbury Cross
or scare mice away from a summer cabin ,
or walk in shoes that will be a challenge to fill."
God worked throughout the night,
Giving the Father few words,
But a firm authoritative voice;
Eyes that see everything,
But remain calm and tolerant.
Finally, almost as an after thought,
He added tears.
Then he turned to the angel and said,
"Now are you satisfied he can love as much as a Mother can?"
The angel said nothing more.
by Erma Bombeck
Dad Poem
I sure am glad,
You are my Dad.
You are true blue,
Do I love you!
SPECIAL DAD
Dad, I'd really like to be
So very much like you.
To grow up strong and caring,
To do the things you do.
When I think of all the fun
And good times we have had,
I must say to everyone
I've got a special dad!
To My Daddy Poem
I hugged this little card real tight
And kissed it, Daddy, too.
Then I packed it full of love
And sent it off to you!
Best Daddy Poem
My daddy is the best, you see,
Because he takes good care of me.
He takes me to the park to play,
Or to the beach on a sunny day.
At night he tucks me into bed,
Says goodnight, and pats my head.
My daddy's the best in every way,
I love you, Daddy.
Happy Father's Day!
Thank You Daddy Poem
Daddy, it's your special day,
And it's time for me to say
I'm so glad for all you do.
Thank you, Daddy, I love you!
Daddy Is My Friend Poem
Daddy is my special friend,
The two of us are buddies.
I always like the things we do,
I'm thankful for my daddy!
Daddy, Daddy Poem
Daddy, Daddy, I love you,
Yes, oh yes, oh yes, I do!
I'm so glad that you are mine,
I will love you all the time!
AN EASY TIE CAKE FOR KIDS TO MAKE
by Deborah MacDonald Schneider
Calling all kid chefs—flour those noses and let's cook! This Father's Day, head for the kitchen instead of the mall and bake Dad a delicious chocolate chip cookie...tie. Decorated with wild, colored icing and candy, this is the one gift Dad will never forget, because we happen to know that Dad's favorite gift is the one you make just for him.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
Cookie ingredients from the recipe on this page:
Tubes of colored icing, as many colors as you like
Colorful little candies and sprinkles for decorating the tie
A piece of 11-by-14-inch paper for making the tie template
Heavy 11-by-14-inch cardboard wrapped in foil, to put the cookie on
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Make the template for the tie by drawing a tie outline, using our measurements or tracing around one of your Dad's old, wide ties (approximately 11 inches tall, and 4 to 5 inches wide at the bottom of the tie). Cut the template out and set aside. You will use the tie template to cut out an exact cookie shape, and you can use it to design your icing decorations. Cut out a heavy piece of cardboard and wrap it in foil. You will decorate the cookie and serve it on the cardboard "plate."Grease and flour a cookie sheet. Lay the template on the cookie sheet and, with your finger, carefully draw the tie shape on the sheet.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Make the cookie batter (see below).
Chocolate Chip Cookie Tie Batter
1/4 cup butter
1-1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips
Use a mixer to beat the butter until it is soft. Gradually add the sugars, the egg and vanilla. Mix the dry ingredients together and add them to the butter mixture. Stir in the nuts and chocolate chips. Put the batter on the cookie sheet, keeping batter inside the lines you drew (it does not have to be exact - you are going to trim it!) Bake the cookie for about 10 to 12 minutes, until lightly brown and set.
5. Remove the cookie from the oven. Let it stand for 2 minutes. Then take a spatula or a long thin knife, and carefully loosen the cookie from the sheet. DO NOT MOVE THE COOKIE YET! Now, lay the paper template over the big cookie and trim all the excess cookie around the edges to make a perfect tie shape. Eat the scraps. (This is the cook's prerogative.) Now let the cookie cool on the sheet, then carefully move it to the foil-wrapped cardboard.
6. Plan your decorations on the paper template, then use the colored icing and candies to make a wild tie for Dad.
7. On a piece of bright construction paper, draw, cut out and decorate a two-sided bow tie to make a Father's Day card (folded) to serve up with your cookie.
Deborah MacDonald Schneider is a San Diego-based chef and a partner in Kids' Cooking Club.
All my gifts to dcp's use photos of the children. A couple we have made in recent years:
- A Bookmark - a small bookmark-shaped strip of posterboard with the child's photo glued on one end and the words "I'll save your place, Dad" written on it. I don't have a laminating machine, so I just cover it (both sides) with clear contact paper.
- A "Hug" - A close-up head-and-shoulders shot of the child, cut out and glued to a manila file folder (or posterboard), leaving a 2.5" base below the photo; tracings of both of the child's hands cut out of the same file folder material; a strip of construction paper approximately 18" x 2.5" with the words "I love you this much!" written on it. Glue a hand on each end and the photo in the center (extra material on the backside). Fold the ends in so that it looks like a child with his arms folded in front of him. When you open it out, the outstretched arms will let it stand on a desk or shelf. I hope I explained it well enough. It really is adorable. I've used it for both mom and dad.
- Kids baseball cards. Make up fake baseball cards with your kids pictures, stats (height, weight, hobbies, accomplishments such as crawling, walking, riding bike, future aspirations, etc) Make them up on the computer, paste on a small photo of child and laminate. You can create a whole set. I do this for birthdays, father's day and Christmas so dad's and grandpa get three a year to add to their collection.
- Last year I got Men's tee shirts and painted the slogan "Best Dad/Granddad/etc Hands Down" and then painted their hands and printed them all over the shirt. For multiple children families, write the child's name and age under one of the prints.
- One year instead of hand prints, we did foot prints, and wrote: My Grandkids Walk all OVER ME!!! I am also very creative, and drew pictures of my kids with their grandpa on the t shirt...one of my three kids hugging him,,,that says Grandpa's are for HUGGING! Another I made of him with his three grandkids in a fishing scene at our cottage, and another of ALL of the grandkids. HE love s to wear these to the craft shows, when he works them, and too the Senior citizens campground where they camp .....they get lots of attention!
Father's Day Air Fresheners
Trace the child's foot on a piece of fun foam and cut around it. Print one of the following poems on the foot, punch a hole in the top and sprinkle with some men's cologne and you have a car air freshener.
My daddy loves my stinky toes,
He tickles them with his nose.
My daddy loves my smelly feet,
He says they smell just like a rose. My daddy can remember me,
When he sniffs my feet and toes.
or
My daddy works far away,
buy my feet are here to say:
I love you Daddy, every day!
or
Stinky feet and stinky toes
Make me gotta hold my nose.
Daddy's great and Daddy knows
My love for him just grows and grows.
or
"Here's some little stinky feet
to help you car smell extra sweet."
"Stinky feet and smelly toes
Now your car won't bug your nose"
Verses for Cards:
Another Poem... Sometimes you get discouraged
Because I am so small
And always get my fingerprints
On furniture and walls.
But every day I'm growing up
And soon I'll be so tall
That all those little handprints
Will be very hard to recall.
So here's two final handprints
Just in your mind will stay
Exactly how my fingers looked
This year on Christmas Day.
A Day with Dad...
My dad works in an office downtown,
And when he's home, he works all around.
He cleans up dishes and that job's hard;
Then he rakes up leaves and mows the front yard.
But Dad always finds some time for me,
And that's what makes a family.
Jack & Jill went up the hill
To find the perfect dad
Jack found his
And so did Jill
I kept the one I had!
He's the Best!!!
Happy Father's Day Daddy
I did them on the computer adding a blue ribbon and a red heart. The kids each drew a picture of "My Dad" on the inside of the card.
To Be Like You
There are little eyes upon you,
And they're watching night and day;
There are little ears that quickly,
Take in every word you say.
There are little hands all eager,
To do everything you do;
And a little child who's dreaming,
Of the day they'll be like you.
You're the little child's idol,
You're the wisest of the wise;
In their little minds, about you,
No suspicions ever rise.
They believe in you devoutly,
Holding all you say and do;
They will say and do in your way,
When they've grown up just like you.
There's a wide-eyed little child,
Who believes you're always right;
Their ears are always open,
And they watch you day and night.
You are setting an example,
Everyday in all you do and say;
For there is a little child who's waiting,
To grow up to be just like you.
Treasure Box for Dad
You Will Need:
Foam board
Mat board
Newspapers
Wax paper
Masking tape
White glue
Fabric glue
Wallpaper paste
Acrylic paints
Gesso
Pencil
Brushes
Ruler
Felt
Scissors
Rubber bands
Utility knife
Cotton swabs
Dowel rod scraps
Paste and paint pans
How to:
This box is made of foam board, a paper-covered foam Material used in framing pictures.
To start, divide a nine-inch square of the board into three-inch squares. It's important to keep the corners at right angles so that the edges of the box will join properly. If you have one available, a T-square or triangle will be helpful.
Lay the square on a stack of newspapers or other protective material, and have an adult use a ruler and utility knife to remove the four corners.
Next gently cut through just the top layer of paper and foam on the center square. Carefully bend the sides up on each side to make the box shape. Match the sides, and tape each side joint in several places.
To make the lid, turn the container top down onto another piece of foam board, trace around the form, and cut out the shape. Cut three pieces of mat board smaller than the inside dimensions of the box, and glue them together. Use rubber bands to hold the pieces in place till they dry.
Remove the bands and glue the pieces to the inside center of the lid. This built-up area will help keep the lid in place.
Mix the wallpaper paste according to the manufacturer's directions. Tear newspapers into s squares or short strips, and working on wax paper, begin pasting the box starting at the seams. Cover all the corners and the seam around the bottom. Use the handle of an artist's paint brush to help push the paper into the indented areas.
Now cover the bottom and the sides, extending the layer about 1/2" over the top and into the box. After the box is completed, papier mache the lid, including the bottom. While it's not necessary, you can make a knob by attaching a large bottle cap to the box top.
Tape it to the lid, then cover and paste it to the form using small strips and the papier mache mixture. Apply an extra layer or so at the joint. When the box is dry, you're ready to paint the surface decoration. Apply one coat of gesso (primer) to the container. After this dries, paint the box a background color, and then apply dot designs with short dowel rods and cotton swabs. Another option is to use fabric paints in squeeze bottles to apply dots, squiggles, and other shapes.
Pop-up card, made specially for Dad
This is a good project to enlist Mom's help. Here's what you'll need:
Pencil
scissors
glue
a ruler
2 sheets of colored paper (approximately 8.5" x 11")
crayons
markers
glitter (if desired)
Choose a place where you'll have plenty of room to work. Protect your work area, by placing a thick piece of cardboard or a craft mat on the table. Before you start, gather materials and read through all the steps. (You might want to practice on a scrap sheet of paper.)
Directions for Pop-Up Card:
Hold one piece of paper with the short side at the bottom. Fold in half, bringing the top down. Firmly crease the fold with your fingernail. Using your ruler and pencil, make a dot at the center of the creased fold. Measure one inch to the right of this center dot, and using the ruler draw a straight 2" line (at right angle to crease). Repeat the measure and cut on the left side. At this point you should have two 2" slits at the top of your card. Open the card, positioning the center, cut out, section forward. It should form a cube when opened. Crease the front and bottom section of the cube, and close the card, folding the tube flat (facing toward you so that it pops up when you open the card). Take the second piece of paper and glue it to the other side of the card. Your Father's Day card will be rectangular (approximately 5.5" x 8.5") and will open from the bottom. For the pop-up you can draw and then cut out a heart or other design of your choice (make it taller than the box - around 3" high and about 2" wide) . Get creative. You might want to cut out a picture to place on the pop-up cube or glue on a family portrait. Put glue on the cube section only and fold the card closed, being certain the pop-up lies flat. Your design will pop up, covering much of the cube when the card is opened. Now the fun really begins. You might want to write Happy Father's Day on the front of your card, with a message to Dad inside. Color and decorate the card, inside and out, using crayons, markers, and glitter. Use your imagination!
Chocolate Pretzels
Does Dad have a sweet tooth? If so, he'll love this treat! Ask Mom to assist with this. Ingredients you will need:
One bag of pretzels. Logs work well for this, but you can try any of the medium to thick variety of twists.
Two bags of chocolate chips (dark or milk chocolate - Dad's preference)
One teaspoon of butter Colored non-pareils, sprinkles, coconut, or chopped nuts
Double-boiler to melt the chocolate or microwave safe bowl
Kitchen tongs and spoon
Waxed paper
2 cookie sheets
Clear a space on the table or at the kitchen counter to work. This can be a bit messy, but it's lots of fun. Set out the pretzels on a plate, along with plates of non-pareils, sprinkles, coconut or chopped nuts to roll the pretzels in (or spoon over the dipped pretzels.)
Directions:
Melt one bag of chocolate at a time, along with one teaspoon of butter. Melting in the microwave is safest when working with your kids. Melt chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl for one minute and stir. If more heating is necessary, microwave 15 seconds at a time, stirring until smooth. If using the top of a double-boiler on the stove, Mom should melt chocolate gradually. Bring the heated chocolate to work table, placing far from the reach of children to prevent burns. Chocolate can be gently preheated if it gets too hard to easily dip. Using tongs or a spoon, quickly dip pretzels in chocolate or hold with tongs and spoon on chocolate, allowing the excess to run off. Place dipped pretzels on wax paper lined cookie sheets. Using a spoon, sprinkle the chosen topping on the dipped pretzel and allow to harden. You may need to refrigerate for a while to help this along. Once hardened, remove from sheets and store in a cool location, with waxed paper between layers. To give to Dad, gift wrap a round oatmeal box and lid. It is the perfect size for pretzel logs, and other pretzels shapes can be layered with waxed paper and stored securely. Store in the refrigerator (out of Dad's view) until the big day! Tie a bow around the top of the wrapped container and then sit back, and get ready to impress Dad!
Puzzle for Papa
You will need:
ten popsicle sticks
tape
crayons or markers
Piece of yarn
1. Line up popsicle sticks with sides touching.
2. Tape together
3.Turn over and draw picture.
4. Take off tape, mix up the sticks and tie in a bundle with the yarn.
5. Give the stick puzzle to Dad for Father's Day.
It comes from a newsletter called "The Preschool Almanac". I know the person who publishes it. She doesn't do it anymore because she didn't have enough subscribers to support the newsletter. The newsletter has 4-5 weekly themes, menus, recipies, project of the month, fingerplay and books related to the themes. If you would like back copies, you can contact them at The Preschool Almanac, 43 Chesnut Hill Road, Trumbull, CT USA 06611. I make no profit from sharing this info, just wanted to pass along a good resource!
These gifts to dcp's use photos of the children:
* A Bookmark - a small bookmark-shaped strip of posterboard with the child's photo glued on one end and the words "I'll save your place, Dad" written on it. I don't have a laminating machine, so I just cover it (both sides) with clear contact paper. * A "Hug" - A close-up head-and-shoulders shot of the child, cut out and glued to a manila file folder (or posterboard), leaving a 2.5" base below the photo; tracings of both of the child's hands cut out of the same file folder material; a strip of construction paper approximately 18" x 2.5" with the words "I love you this much!" written on it. Glue a hand on each end and the photo in the center (extra material on the backside). Fold the ends in so that it looks like a child with his arms folded in front of him. When you open it out, the outstretched arms will let it stand on a desk or shelf. I hope I explained it well enough. It really is adorable. I've used it for both mom and dad.
The children wanted to give Dad a lasting impression of their hands so we went & bought good watercolor paper. Then each child picked out acrylic paint in the color of their choice. Then we purchased a frame, glass & mat. I painted each childs hand with the paint using a foam brush then positioned their hand over the paper & pressed..........then I took a gold paint marker & made a bow on the index finger. Then in the upper corner in calligraphy I wrote......."Dad we have you wrapped around our fingers"
*Father's Day Celebration!
Poor dads....our school system is always closed for the year, and Dads very rarely were honored. To remedy that, I had a Dad's Day activity that went like this: Dads were invited to come, help their children make paper airplanes, and go outside and fly them with their child! I really didn't know how this would go, but it was a great success! Dads really got into making the airplanes, and their children helped to decorate them. It was really great to see Dads relax and have a good time with their children! We also had grandfathers, and uncles, and even a big brother come! I spoke with moms of the children who had no father in the home, privately, and told them that it was quite fine to invite grandfathers and any other significant male to participate. After the airplane activity, we all had a snack. It was a fun time for all!
*Make dad a cookie jar...for those of you lucky enough to have access to a stove, or use candy to fill.... A small can (formula size) or you can use a coffee can.... wrap with construction paper, add features whether cut or drawn...(if they draw, have them do it before you put paper around can) (make sure the add ears.....(cut out) just because it look really cute with them sticking out. Get some cellular shades from your local window treatment store...the garbage pieces that they've cut and will throw out. They are accordian pieces that you need to cut into 1 inch size. You use for legs, and glue in the front part of the can, so when it sits on the edge of the table, it looks like it's legs are dangling over the edge, Fill with cookies or candy or whatever. It's really cute.
Tool painting...
1.Place the paper in a shallow box or pan..
2.Select some rolling items such as nuts and bolts.
3.With a spoon drop puddles of paint on the paper.
4.Drop the rolling items into the pan and tilt the pan around, rolling them through the paint and making designs on the paper.
The children can make popcycle stick picture frames, two for each side, under over, glue little nuts and bolts along the edges. I have seen this as a finished product but wonder if regular glue was used? Put the child's picture in it.
Key Chains...
I had kids use a marbelizing paint kit to dip unpainted wooden cutouts of hammers, saws, dolphins etc(there is a great variety at the craft store and they're inexpensive). Before dippng I punched a hole in them with a hand drill and put key rings through them. We made them for fathers day.
A Special Gift...
Wrap a small jewerly box any one will do really.Use the following poem and attach it to the box by hole punching the top left corner and tying it on with ribbon.
This is a very special gift,
That you can never see.
The reason it's so special,
It's just for you from me.
Whenever you are lonely,
Or ever feeling blue,
You only have to hold this gift
And know I think of you.
You never can unwrap it.
Please leave the ribbon tied.
Just hold the box close to your heart,
It's filled with LOVE inside.
Daddy Handprint Poem...
Here are my handprints
So tiny and small
The ones that clasped you hands Daddy
The ones on the wall.
Press them in your memories Daddy
Press them in your heart
Never let go of me Daddy,
Never let us part.
Right now they're good for touching
And crawling on the floors
Hold them tightly in your hands Daddy
They fit so perfectly in yours.
Soon I'll be big like you,
Our hands will be the same
But you will always be my Daddy,
And I will always proudly carry your name.
Stress Reliever Ball... Fill a thick balloon with dry flour using a funnel.Tie tightly with a ribbon & secure with a knot.Attach this note to the ball using a ribbon.
This little balloon of flour
has amazing holiday power.
When not feeling your best,
massage it to relieve your stress
Door Stop...
Spray paint a brick several times with glossy white paint When dry, paint a child's hand with green acryllic paint. Have the children put their handprint on the white brick. (With fingers and thumb together)....This should resemble an Evergreen Tree. Paint a stem on with brown acryllic paint. Decorate if desired. The father's could use it as a door stop or paper weight
Father's Day Key Rings
Cut off curved sides from meat trays. Have children decorate using permanent markers (I know it's hard for the young ones to keep permanent markers off everything, so you may need to keep an eye on them.) With a black permanent marker write your message. I had the children write it with a pencil first and then trace with marker. We used the message Happy Fathers Day. With a sharp instrument make a hole in the meat tray close to the edge but not too close. Write the kids name and the date and any other special message also with permanent marker. Now the really neat stuff. Place the meat trays on a cookie sheet lined with foil and place in a low oven for 2-5 minutes.( Keep an eye on them as they tend to roll up and stick together) The meat trays heat up, shrink and get hard. I added a key ring in the hole and made key chains for Father's Day. The mother's in my class were very upset and jealous that the fathers were getting this.
Blob Hand
Fill a latex examination glove with clean sand. I used it out of our school sandbox so I sifted it first. I will let the children do all of this. Fill the glove until it is very full. Then tie it in a knot. I will let the children decorate it with permanent markers all colors. On the palm area write "To the best Dad,Hands Down!" On the fingers add smile faces. : ) add hair etc...Write "I Love You" down the fingers. Write "Happy Father's Day" on the back palm area. Add fingernails. Color them red. Add rings ....get creative. Now this blob hand is a great item to set on a desk. It's very unique. It can be posed. Add your rings to the fingers. It can hold small cards. Great stress reliever. You can lay it flat & press down on the palm area to make an indentation. It can hold small coins. I don't think many dad's have these. When I was experimenting with the gloves all my co-workers wanted one. Keep in mind that you want the glove to be full so that the fingers stand upright. You also need to squeeze out any air that is inside the glove so you don't have a bubble. It is very easy to do.
MONSTER COOKIES
Yield: seven 8 inch or 10 dozen "drop" cookies
4 sticks of butter or margarine
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
Cream together
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
Add and mix
2 cups flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
3 cups oatmeal
2 tsp baking soda
Add and mix
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup raisins
12 oz chocolate chips
Add and mix all together
Shape into 7 gigantic cookies (1 1/2 cup each) 7 inch round and 1/2 inch thick on ungreased cookie sheets, or 10 dozen drop cookies.
1 cup coconut flakes
Sprinkle on top. Bake 375 degrees for 6-10 min. until just beginning to brown. Don't overbake. Contact your local pizzaria for some 10 inch pizza boxes to put your monster cookies in. They will usually sell them to you for .25 each, some will even donate them. If the boxes are printed on top, glue a piece of paper to cover. Print "To Dad, the Biggest for the Best! Love, _______" Create wrapping papaer for your gift by having children dip toy cars into shallow container of paint and drive them across large sheets of newsprint or brown paper.
From "The Preschool Almanac" I just had to tell everyone about the successful father's day craft we just did. I got the idea from a magazine called Kid's Kraft. It's marbled paper weights. We went out and found some bigger rocks, washed them, put 2 layers of tin foil on a pan and put the rocks on it, put the pan of rocks in the oven and heat for an hour and a half at 200 degrees. While the rocks are heating have the children take the paper off some crayons and shred some with a sharpener. Spread out about 50 layers of newspaper to put the rocks on afterwards. Then take the rocks out (found the heating part rather stinky) and place them on the paper. Have the children very carefully, being careful not to touch the rocks, color the rocks with their peeled crayons and put shredded crayons on top and they'll melt down the sides. Leave for 24 hours it says (we haven't reached this stage yet) and then have the children buff their rocks to be all glossy. No need to color the undersides of the rocks.
With my 2 yo, who enjoyed doing this also, just needed the extra attention as to make sure the rock wasn't touched, thought the easiest way to do things was color a tiny bit then cover the rest with the shredded crayon. His turned out very nicely with no help at all. The older ones colored it all then placed the shredded crayon on top. If you have a large number of children I would do the activity in shifts so you can keep an eye on making sure the rocks don't get touched. They do get rather hot. No one here got burned thank goodness. My 5 yo ds wants to make sure his school teacher knows about this activity, since he thought it was "cool!"
Two years ago we did this project:
Get a smooth river stone/roc. Let the kids paint it (ej. with finger prints as butterflies or flowers), when dry glue a small picture of each child on each one covering all the stone with the glue (white glue). let dry. Fathers can use it for their office as paper weight, book holder or as decoration for his desk.
Helping Hand Coupon Book
They had fun thinking up the things they'd like to do with their Dads. They did their best printing (both are 5 1/2) and "signed" each coupon. Then decorated with stickers. They each tried cutting out a hand, but decided it was way too much work and left that part to me.
Ties about 8-10 inches long made out of constrution paper. She had the class decorate them with paints. On the back she put their name and date, then laminated them and put a piece of elastic through two holes punched into the top on each side. My husband then wore the tie for dinner that night and my son just couldn't stop grinning.
A Pat On the Back For Dad
Materials
Men's T-Shirts
Fabric Paint
Have the children make hand prints on the back of the t-shirts, then write "This Dad Needs A Pat On The Back".
Bookmarks for Dad
Cut a bookmark whatever size you would like or copy a size that is sold..use a paper cutter...watercolor one size with Q-tips the other side put date and message to dad. when dried laminate, punch a hole in the top and tie a ribbon into the hole. You can use regular paint with Q-tips too. I also send a plant home with the book mark that the children have planted before fathers day....Dad's love it...I work with 3's and it has been a big success. I also let the children sign their names any way they know how...which is usually drawing it.
Snacks For Dad
Materials
Construction Paper
Small Coffee cans (keep the lids)
Clear Contact Paper
Stickers, paints, markers, crayons, etc.
2 boxes of Fish shaped crackers
1 Large Bag of Pretzels
1 Large Bag of Raisins
2 Boxes Cheerios
Popcorn
Activity
First, make decorated snack food containers for Father's Day. Cut the construction paper to fit the coffee cans. Let the children decorate the construction paper with stickers, paints, markers, crayons, etc. Glue the children's decorated papers onto the coffee cans and then cover with clear contact paper. Next, make a Father's Day snack to put into the cans. Let the children help mix the fish crackers, pretzels, raisins, cheerios, and popcorn together. Fill the cans with the snack.
Puzzle Pictures
Materials
8X10 pieces of poster board (one for each child)
Various old puzzles with missing pieces
5X7 pieces of construction paper
Tempra Paint
Glue
1. Using the tempra paint, have the children make a hand print on the 5X7 piece of paper.
2. Glue the hand prints onto the poster board.
3. Let the children glue the puzzle pieces on the poster board, around the hand print to create a frame.
Father's Day Cards
Materials:
Assorted colors of paint
Construction paper
Copier paper
Stickers, crayons, markers, etc.
Directions:
Talk to the children about things they can do around the house to help their dads. Then help them make a "helping hands" Father's Day card.
Give each child 4 pieces of white copier paper and have them make handprints on each sheet. When they are dry, make a cover out of construction paper and staple the children's papers inside. Let the children decorate their covers. The dads can then tear out the pages of the card and present them to the children when they need a "helping hand."
My Daddy Helps Me... (My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean)
My Daddy helps me when I'm sick.
My Daddy helps me when I'm blue.
My Daddy helps me when I'm sad.
Thanks, Dad, for all that you do!
You help, you help,
You help me feel so much better.
You help, you help,
You help me feel so much better.
My Special Friend...
(Bingo)
I have a very special friend
And Daddy is his name-o.
D-A-D-D-Y, D-A-D-D-Y, D-A-D-D-Y,
And Daddy is his name-o
Feelie Box...
Use a feelie box to touch items and guess what they might be relate items to dad and grooming: a shaving brush, a razor without the blade, a comb, a rubber sink stopper, n ail brush, a wash cloth, a tiny bottle of after-shave. Etc. After everyone has had a turn, let the children smell the after-shave.
I Love Father...
(Frere Jacques)
I love Father, I love Father.
Yes I do, yes, I do.
All I want to say is
Happy Father's Day!
I love you, I love you!
Fathers Day...
(This Old Man)
This is Dad;
He works hard.
Making money every day, He's a neat, peat, rickety reat,
Helpful, caring man.
He plays with me when he can.
Daddy Pounds With One Hammer...
"Johnny Pounds with one Hammer" only change Johnny to Daddy A really fun thing for little ones...is to have thick pieces of styrofoam and give the kids plastic (or small, or play) hammers and let them pound golf tees into the styrofoam. It's easy, and they can pull them right out to do it again. Make the foam pieces large enough to make many holes (large squares or rectangles work best).
Oh My Daddy...
(Oh, My Darling Clementine)
Oh my daddy,Oh my daddy,
Oh, my very special dad,
I want to thank you very much
For being my special dad.
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