20 Meaningful, Budget-Friendly Father's Day Gift Ideas Kids Can Help Make
By Edie, founder of Billie Blake Prints - elegant, boutique wall art for children's rooms.
Father's Day gifts don't need a big price tag to be treasured for years - often it's the handmade, thought-out ones that end up framed on a shelf or tucked in a drawer forever. Here's a mix of cheap DIY Father's Day gift ideas the kids can help make, plus a few easy ready-made options for the days you're short on time.
Chocolate chip cookies - bake a batch together; there's something about a homemade treat that beats a store-bought one every time. Get the recipe
A photo book - pick out your favourite photos with dad or grandpa and turn them into a keepsake photo book. Sites like Snapfish make it easy, with fast delivery if you're cutting it close to the day.
A framed photo with dad or grandpa - print at Officeworks or at home, then pop it in a frame from Kmart, Officeworks, or Big W. Simple, and something he'll actually display.
A decorated frame - get the kids to decorate a plain frame themselves, then add a photo of dad and the kids inside. A few ideas to get you started: Pinterest idea 1 Pinterest idea 2 Video tutorial
A purchased Father's Day frame - if you don't have time to help your little one make one, there are beautiful ready-made options out there. Etsy is a great place to look - here's a lovely example.
A decorated coffee mug - paint or decorate a real mug for dad's morning coffee. Best for older kids or with a bit of parent help. How-to video.
A paper mug for dad - a version younger kids can manage on their own. Video tutorial
A craft mug for dad - another fun mug- decorating idea. Watch here
A framed drawing - there's nothing more special than a drawing made just for dad, framed in either a purchased or homemade frame.
Homemade keyrings - a fun, low-cost craft the kids can help with: Video tutorial 1. Video tutorial
11. Purchased personalised keyrings - for when you're short on time, these online stores have lovely options for dad:
Ally May Creations Personalised Favours
12. Storybooks for dad to read with the kids - one of my favourite Father's Day gifts of all. A few beautiful ones we love:
Guess How Much I Love You - by Sam McBratney, available at Big W, Amazon and other major retailers.
Why I Love My Daddy - by Daniel Howarth - has a section to slot in a photo of dad and child, available at Big W and other major retailers.
Bluey: Dad's Awesome Treasury - available at Amazon and Big W
There's Only One Dad Like You - by Jess Racklyeft - available at Amazon and other major retailers.
13. A handmade Father's Day card - sometimes the simplest gift is the best one. Here's a stunning card idea
14. A special Father's Day breakfast - let the kids help make dad's favourite breakfast and serve it up before he's even out of bed. Here are some great ideas.
15. A "reasons we love you" jar - kids write or draw little notes on paper slips and fill a jar dad can dip into all year. See the idea.
16. A photo puzzle - turn a favourite family photo into a custom jigsaw puzzle for a keepsake he can put together again and again. Here's a great tutorial.
17. A "Best Dad" award - let the kids design and decorate their own certificate or award for dad. Costs nothing but paper and love. How to make an award ribbon.
18. A coupon booklet - homemade vouchers for things like "one car wash," "I'll help mow the lawn," or "you pick the movie tonight." This one has a free printable template.
19. A potted plant or herb garden - something small dad can grow and tend to with the kids, and a nice reminder of the day every time he waters it. Here are some very cute DIY craft pot ideas from plastic bottles.
20. A handprint or footprint keepsake - painted little hand or footprints turned into a card, canvas, or framed print - the kind of gift that only gets more special as they grow. This site has a lovely printable with a poem you can add your handprint or footprint to.
Whichever you choose, the best Father's Day gifts are rarely the most expensive ones - they're the ones with a bit of the kids in them.
A lot of the ideas above end up framed, displayed, or kept somewhere special - which is exactly the kind of thing we love at Billie Blake Prints. If today's list has you thinking about beautifully framed keepsakes, take a peek at our collection of elegant art print sets for kids' rooms - a lovely way to mark a nursery refresh, a new baby, or any little milestone worth framing.
