Father's Day Crafts and Activities for Little Hands

Reading time: 5 minutes

Father's Day in Australia falls on the first Sunday of September (6 September 2026), and if you are looking for heartfelt gifts and activities that your toddler or preschooler can actually help make, you have come to the right place. Forget the expensive department store presents — the gifts that dads, pops, grandpas, and special people treasure most are the ones with tiny fingerprints and wobbly handwriting.

These Father's Day crafts and activities are designed for little hands, require simple materials you probably already have at home, and result in keepsakes that will melt hearts.

A note before we start: at Sonas Woodbridge, we recognise that families come in all shapes. Father's Day crafts can be for dads, grandads, uncles, family friends, or any special person in a child's life. Our educators always make sure every child has someone to celebrate.

Easy Father's Day Crafts

1. Handprint Art Card

This is the classic for a reason. It is simple, personal, and captures a moment in time that parents treasure forever.

You need: Card paper, non-toxic paint, a marker How: Paint your child's hand and press it onto folded card paper. Once dry, write "Happy Father's Day" and the date inside. For toddlers, an adult can write "I love you THIS much" with the handprint as the focal point.

Tip: Do a few practice prints first — the first one is usually too much paint. The third one is the charm.

2. "All About My Dad" Interview

Ask your child questions about their dad and write down exactly what they say. The answers are always hilarious and surprisingly touching.

Questions to ask:

• What is Dad's name? (Expect "Dad" or something delightfully wrong)
• How old is Dad? (Prepare for answers between 14 and 100)
• What does Dad do at work? (Gold)
• What is Dad's favourite food?
• What makes Dad happy?
• What does Dad always say?
• Why do you love Dad?

Print or write the answers on nice paper, add a photo or your child's drawing of Dad, and frame it. This becomes a family heirloom.

3. Decorated Mug

You need: A plain white mug (from Kmart or the dollar shop), permanent markers or ceramic paint pens How: Let your child draw freely on the mug. Toddlers can do fingerprints or dots; older preschoolers can draw faces, hearts, or scribbles. Bake at 180 degrees for 30 minutes to set the design (for ceramic pens) or simply hand-wash only (for permanent markers).

Dad gets a one-of-a-kind coffee mug that gets better with every glance.

4. Photo Coasters

You need: White tiles (hardware store, under $1 each), a photo printed to size, Mod Podge or PVA glue, felt pads for the bottom How: Glue the photo to the tile, seal with Mod Podge, and add felt pads to the bottom. Your child can help with the gluing and sticking. Use a photo of your child and Dad together, or a piece of your child's artwork.

5. Fossil Handprint Keepsake

You need: 1 cup salt, 1 cup flour, half cup water How: Mix into a dough, roll flat, and press your child's hand firmly into it. Use a straw to poke a hole at the top for hanging. Bake at 100 degrees for 2-3 hours until hard. Paint once cool if desired, or leave natural.

This creates a beautiful, lasting keepsake that captures the size of your child's hand at this exact moment.

6. Coupon Book

You need: Paper, stapler or string, markers or stickers How: Help your child create a small booklet of "coupons" that Dad can redeem. Ideas: "One big hug," "Breakfast in bed" (with help from Mum), "A dance party," "Extra cuddles on the couch," "I will help wash the car."

Preschoolers can draw each coupon. Toddlers can decorate with stickers while an adult writes the text.

7. Painted Rock Paperweight

You need: A smooth rock, acrylic paint or paint pens How: Let your child paint the rock however they like — faces, patterns, colours, fingerprints. Write "Dad" or the year on the bottom. Seal with clear nail polish or spray sealer.

A painted rock on Dad's desk is a daily reminder of their little artist.

Father's Day Activities to Do Together

Crafts are wonderful, but sometimes the best gift is quality time. Here are some Father's Day activities Perth families can enjoy together:

Breakfast in Bed (With Help)

Even toddlers can help butter toast, arrange fruit on a plate, or carry a glass of juice (with supervision). The effort matters more than the execution, and the mess is part of the memory.

Bush Walk in the Swan Valley

The trails around Woodbridge, Bells Rapids, and John Forrest National Park are beautiful in early spring. Pack a thermos and some snacks and let the kids lead the way. There is no better Father's Day gift than unhurried time in nature.

Build Something Together

Dads and kids building something — a cubby from cardboard boxes, a birdhouse from a kit, a tower from every block in the house. The process is the point.

Backyard Picnic

Lay a blanket, make sandwiches, bring out the footy, and keep it simple. Sometimes the simplest plans are the ones everyone remembers.

Cook Dinner Together

Let the kids help Dad cook his favourite meal. Stirring, pouring, washing vegetables, setting the table — children love being included in real work, and dads love the chaos.

How Sonas Woodbridge Celebrates Father's Day

At Sonas Woodbridge, Father's Day is one of the highlights of our calendar. In the weeks leading up, our Arts Studio is buzzing with secret projects — handprint cards, painted gifts, and those priceless "All About My Dad" interviews that never fail to make us laugh (and sometimes cry).

We often host a special Father's Day morning where dads, pops, and special people are invited to join their child at the centre for breakfast, play, and a peek into their child's day. It is a beautiful way to strengthen the connection between families and our centre.

Key Takeaways

• The most treasured Father's Day gifts are the ones made by little hands
• Handprint art, interview sheets, and decorated mugs are simple, affordable, and deeply personal
• Activities like bush walks, backyard picnics, and building together create lasting memories
• Father's Day can celebrate dads, grandads, uncles, or any special person in a child's life
• Get crafting early — September 6 is closer than you think

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Ready to see play-based learning in action? Book a tour at Sonas Woodbridge or call us on (08) 6184 6055.