Surprise Dad with Personal, Practical Gifts Made By Kids

Sure, ties are terrific and hammocks are cozy; but does Dad really need another set of barbecue tools?

This Father’s Day, why not rally the troops to create a gift that Dad (or Grandpa) will really treasure long after the tie goes out of style and the hammock collapses.

Not just any handmade gift will do for Dad. Moms may cling to refrigerator art treasures for years; but fathers can be a bit more finicky, searching for a way to give their progeny’s creative productions a more practical purpose.

With this in mind, the following crafts meld hands-on creativity and one-of-a-kind personalization with concrete usefulness. What more could Dad want?

• The Photo Collage Valet Tray (the ideal place for Dad to stash pocket change, wallet and receipts on the dresser).
• Photo Collage Pencil Cup are perfect projects for grade school or high school aged kids.
• Favorite Things Clay Pencil Cup is a great craft for little ones, with a little grown-up help.

All three projects use inexpensive with materials readily available at local craft stores. Each requires only 30-45 minutes of hands-on work from budding artists.

Best of all, Dad will own bragging rights on the “best Father’s Day gifts ever” from his adoring children…and that’s pretty memorable!

Photo Collage Valet Tray

You’ll Need:

1 small unfinished wood or cardboard tray
1 small bottle black acrylic paint (project uses only ½ bottle)
1 1-inch sponge paint brush
1 small bottle decoupage medium/sealer (Mod Podge – project uses only ¼ bottle)
Glue stick
Card stock
4-8 digital photos (printed on card stock in 3x5” and wallet size)
Spray varnish (optional)

Here’s How:

1. Cover work space with plastic trash bag.
2. Select 4-8 digital photos, format in wallet and/or 3x5-nch size and print them in black and white on card stock.  Cut out photos. 
3. Paint entire tray (including bottom) black using sponge brush.  Let dry.  When tray is dry, arrange photos in creative fashion on tray bed and affix to tray with glue stick.
4. Using clean sponge brush, paint decoupage medium over entire tray (except bottom) using smooth strokes.  Be certain decoupage medium covers all edges around photos.  Smooth out any bubbles using finger dipped in decoupage medium.  Let dry completely.  (For faster drying, place tray in front of a fan on low speed.)
5. When tray is dry, apply a second coat of decoupage medium and allow to dry completely.
6. If desired, spray tray with varnish to produce a more shiny finish.

Photo Collage Pencil Cup

You’ll Need:

1 unfinished wood or cardboard cylinder

1 small bottle black acrylic paint (project uses only ¼ bottle of paint)

1 1-inch sponge paint brush

1 small bottle decoupage medium/sealer (Mod Podge – project uses less than ¼ bottle)

Glue stick

Card stock

3-6 digital photos (printed on card stock in wallet size)

Spray varnish (optional)

Here’s How:

1. Cover work space with plastic trash bag.
2. Select 3-6 digital photos, format in wallet size and print them in black and white on card stock.  Cut out photos.  To fit more photos on cylinder, cut around individuals in photo, removing background.
3. Paint entire cylinder (including interior and bottom) black using sponge brush. Let dry. When cylinder is dry, arrange photos in creative fashion and affix to cup with glue stick.
4. Using clean sponge brush, paint decoupage medium over entire cup (except interior and bottom) using smooth strokes. Be certain decoupage medium covers all edges around photos.  Smooth out any bubbles using finger dipped in decoupage medium. Let dry completely. (For faster drying, place cup in front of a fan on low speed.)
5. When cup is dry, apply a second coat of decoupage medium and allow to dry completely.
6. If desired, spray cup with varnish to produce a more shiny finish.

Favorite Things Clay Pencil Cup

You’ll need:

1 unfinished cardboard cylinder or an empty, clean can

2 bags air dry modeling clay/modeling medium, different colors (i.e. Model Magic)

Plastic, foam or wood letters

Plastic beads in “favorite things” (sports, food, colors) theme

Plastic knife

Here’s How:

1. Remove ½ modeling clay from bag and flatten on work surface until ¼ - ½-inch thick. Adjust size of flattened clay to create a piece that encircles cup and extends halfway up cup from bottom. Trim as necessary using plastic knife.
2. Lift trimmed piece of clay and adhere to cup, pressing gently.  Smooth seam where ends of clay meet.
3. Remove ½ modeling clay from bag of second color and flatten on work surface until ¼ - ½-inch thick. Adjust size of flattened clay to fit top half of cup. Trim as necessary using plastic knife.
4. Lift trimmed piece of clay and attach to top half of cup, pressing gently.  Extend clay just slightly over lip of cup.  Smooth seams where ends of clay meet and where two colors of clay meet.
5. Press letters into clay until flush with cup surface.  Press beads into clay until flush with cup surface.
6. Clay will stiffen within 72 hours.