When it comes to Father’s Day, most dads don’t want something they can buy for themselves. Rather, the best gifts are ones that show their children have paid some attention to what they enjoy and spent a little time expressing their love.
For instance, one Reddit dad shared “My girl custom made me a mug with a drawing she did on an all-white monocle cobra (my favorite snake) wearing a monocle that says ‘Worlds Greatest Snake Papa,’ and I shed a tear.”
Luckily, you don’t have to be an arts and crafts guru to create a great DIY gift for Father’s Day. If you’re looking for some more thoughtful gift-spiration, check out our favorite top 7 DIY Father’s Day gift ideas that we've rounded up below.
1. The homemade card
Let’s start with the classic: a homemade greeting card. Grab some fun craft supplies from Michaels, Target, or Amazon, and spend an afternoon drawing pictures, writing notes, and going full speed ahead decorating cards.
You can even pair a handmade card with a gift card for Dad’s favorite stores (such as The Home Depot, Bass Pro Shops, Dick’s Sporting Goods, or REI) or his favorite experiences (think Topgolf, Dave & Buster’s, or Stubhub for concerts or sporting events).
2. Edible gifts
Spend some time in the kitchen showing Dad you know what he likes for meals and snacks. This could mean making breakfast in bed or creating a set of snacks with some decorated homemade packaging.
For the latter, try this idea: decorate large blank shipping labels to place on mason jars or reusable containers. Then, fill them with creative snacks he’ll love, such as:
- Seasoned popcorn or nuts
- Energy bites or balls
- Decorated iced cookies
- Nut butters
- Dried fruits or vegetables
Source: Haute & Healthy Living
3. Love-it-or-hate-it shirt
Here’s a great way to prove you know what your dad’s all about: make a t-shirt with a list of his likes on the front and dislikes on the back. Choose list items that are laugh-worthy and specific.
You can come up with the list and order a custom t-shirt online, make it at home with an iron-on transfer and inkjet printer, use a computer-controlled print and cut machine (like a Cricut), or go old-school with fabric markers.
4. Custom crossword puzzle
Consider a custom crossword puzzle if your dad likes puzzles, trivia, or games. Plenty of free online sites and apps allow you to simply create, save, and print a crossword by plugging in your questions and answers. The software figures out how to arrange the puzzle and gives you the empty puzzle page with questions, along with the filled-out puzzle image and/or set of answers.
Consider Q&As that revolve around:
- Facts about his childhood or stories about his life
- His favorite hobbies, books, TV shows, movies, and celebrities
- Details about friends and family members
- Lessons he’s taught you, from tying your shoes to changing a tire
- Momentous occasions or core memories that your family shares
5. "Master of Grill Town" apron
How about an apron for grilling season? Choose a heavy canvas or other protective material with a pocket or two. Then, come up with your own “My Favorite Grill Master and Dad” statement and decorate it with fabric markers, fabric paint, heat transfers, or iron-on letters.
6. Fancy award show
“World’s Best Dad” is a popular fallback for customizing gifts and cards on Father’s Day, but how about adding some more pomp and circumstance? Create a custom award that recognizes something unique and special about the dad in question, like:
- The Golden Hammer – Spray-paint a hammer gold and affix it to a wooden plaque
- Awesomeness Certification – Draw, sign, and frame a certificate with a custom message
- 1st Place Trophy– Repurpose a thrift store trophy with paint and a new placard
In addition to the object itself, you can also host an awards night event at home. Have the kids take pictures like paparazzi when their dad exits the car and makes his way into the house, formally present the award, and demand a speech from “this year’s winner”—whatever level of silliness would be enjoyed by all.
7. Car washes and detailing
If Dad’s version of vehicle cleaning mostly consists of drive-thru gas station carwashes, then create a DIY gift certificate (or a booklet of them!) for car washes and detailing. Include bonus certificates for vacuuming and interior deep-cleaning.
Support your community or school while you shop
If your school, church, or other organization already partners with RaiseRight, you can substantially contribute to your fundraising efforts while you prepare for a fun-filled Father’s Day.
RaiseRight enables families and organizations to earn money just by using gift cards to pay for expenses already in the budget. With each gift purchase, your preferred organization earns a percentage back. Groceries, gas, home improvement, travel, and more—you can buy or refill gift cards on an easy-to-use app before running errands or heading out to shop for gifts. All you need is your program’s enrollment code to get started.
If your organization hasn’t unlocked the potential of RaiseRight, you can help:
- Learn more about how RaiseRight works
- Download The Gift Card Fundraising Playbook
- Get started for free
Or, check out our other lifestyle blogs for more holiday fun and seasonal inspiration.
