by Teresa Feil

Created on: June 06, 2008   Last Updated: August 15, 2011

I have been blessed with four preschool age grandchildren, and we are always looking for new craft ideas. I have come to realize that all Dads love anything that their little ones attempt to make for them.

My favorite for Dad is a hand-painted page, framed and matted for him to hang in his office or home area.

You will need :

• White craft paper to paint on

• Finger paints of any colors
• A picture frame of your choice
• A picture of your little one doing what they like to do

Allow your child to paint the entire page any way they might wish. I like to add their hand print or foot print somewhere on the page. Once it is dry, take a picture of the artist and add it to the painted page. Add whatever embellishments you would like. Frame it and give it to Dad. I promise he will love it.

You can also find many small wooden craft items at any craft store for your little one to paint. Painting is something they all love to do. I have used unfinished bird houses in all sizes. Let your child paint it any way they might wish. Add a small wire or fishing line to hang it with. Dad can hang this masterpiece outside his office window or living room window to enjoy. The birds seem to enjoy it also!

If Dad loves to grill, purchase a plain apron for him at any craft store. Again, using craft paints, allow your child to paint a picture of Dad cooking their meal. You will be amazed at the picture they will create. If you wish, they have many different colored felt tipped marking pens that the kids may use. The point is to let the kids do the project. It may not be the way you might have done it, but it will be an original. Most of us cannot afford originals!

If your little one is able to use child scissors, give them old magazines to cut pictures from. You can use an old shoe box or a craft box from any craft store. With the use of a glue stick, let them cover the box with their pictures that they cut out. You can let them add buttons or rick-rack, leaves that have fallen, or feathers to add embellishment. Dad can then use this to store all of those items from his pockets each day.

Another fun idea is to use vegetable cans, rinsed and painted, to plant a miniature garden in. Use several cans that your little one can decorate, then fill with potting soil. Add any seeds or plants that you wish. This will give Dad and the children a project to watch and work on together.

All children love bubbles, so using food coloring 15-20 drops or finger paint, add to the bottles of bubbles.  Make several different colors. Tape up a piece of white poster board or construction paper to a tree or a fence outside.  Let the kids blow bubbles onto the paper and create a master piece!  You then can frame the picture and give to Dad.

Just remember that Dads love most anything from their little ones. The project must depict the child's personality and not yours. Have fun with your little ones. It is time well spent!

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