by Melinda Glover

Created on: April 19, 2009

A parent knows best how special it is to us to receive a present from our child which is hand made and from the heart. Money can buy lovely things, but it cannot buy the time and love that a child puts into a gift made with their very own little hands. This fathers day why not help your child make a special, heart felt present for their Dad!

Popsicle Stick Framed Photos: Using Popsicle sticks which can be purchased in large bags at craft supply or dollar stores, help your child make a picture frame. Once the frame has been glued together and the glue is dry, provide your child with a wide variety of decorating items including pom poms, beads, paints, ribbons, foam objects, or any other craft supplies you might have on hand. Once your child has decorated the frame to their liking have them choose a favorite photo of them with their Dad to put inside the frame. Dad will be sure to cherish this memento!

Hand Made Cards: While this craft could be considered over done and worn out, using yours, and your child's, creativity and imagination you can give a traditional card a special twist. For example, make a giant card using a large piece of poster paper, cover it in pictures of Daddy and his child, and write a list of the things your child loves best about his or her Dad. Dress the card up with craft embellishments and you have a one of a kind Fathers Day card!

A Poem for Dad: This project will also require a photo frame of some sort. You can purchase a plain wooden frame at the dollar store, or make one yourself from Popsicle sticks as already talked about. If you are purchasing a frame, buy one that is made of bare wood so your child can pant it using a color of his choice. Then, using colored paper, have your child write a poem for Dad, or if they are not at a writing age, have them tell you what they want to say and you can do the writing. What they want to say in their poem is up to them, whether they want to tell him why they love him, talk about something they did together, or just a roses are red type of poem. What will matter most to Dad is that it came from the heart!

Daddy and Me Scrapbook: This project is one that could take some time so you may want to get started with your child a few weeks in advance. Purchase a standard scrapbook and some embellishments and have your child go through the family albums and choose pictures of them with their Dad which they want to use. Once all the pictures have been chosen the scrapping can begin! Dedicate each page to a special time the two spent together whether it was a trip, holiday, birthday, or just a day in the yard. Be sure to leave plenty of pages for them to fill with a lifetime of special memories.

When deciding on a craft or do it yourself present for Dad, encourage your child to use his or her imagination, and allow them to make the choices themselves, and do as much of the work as they can. Always be on hand to help, but let them take the lead. Then, when the special day arrives, be sure to have a camera on hand to take a picture as Dad is presented with the special gift because another thing a parent knows best, is that the most beautiful memories are made of moments like these.

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