Father’s Day is right around the corner. Whether dad is new to the role or his kids are all grown up, we have five simple, fast, and affordable ideas for different ages and interests to make at home.
1. Pinch bowl
Make dad a catch-all dish where he can stash those trinkets you collect on your outdoor adventures.
Pinch and shape oven-bake clay (available at craft stores) into a small, shallow dish. Bake, paint, and seal with satin-finish mod podge. Alternatively, children’s potter’s wheels and clay kits are available for just a few dollars online or at crafts/children’s/or general stores.
2. Custom t-shirt or apron
Customize for dad a t-shirt or apron using fabric markers or paints.
Use a plain t-shirt or apron, and with fabric markers or fabric paint, create whatever design best suits your dad.
*A further option is tie-dye. Kits are readily available at craft stores.
3. Salt dough magnets
Remind dad how much he means to you with a message on the fridge in magnets designed and made by you!
Salt dough recipe
1/4 cup salt,
1/2 cup flour,
1/4 cup water to form a dough.
Roll the dough and cut it with cookie cutters. Bake on a cookie sheet at 250 F for 60 to 90 minutes. Cool before painting.
Paint, attach magnets, and coat with a gloss sealer.
4. Dry rub
Does dad love to grill? How about a homemade batch of dry rub or spice blend? All you need is the following, a mixing bowl and a container to house the finished product.
1/3 cup chili powder
1/3 cup golden brown sugar packed
1/4 cup salt
1/4 cup ground black pepper
2 tbsp ground mustard
2 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp paprika
1 tsp ground cayenne pepper
5. Key chain
A key chain is a simple and personalized gift idea that does not take too much time.
Cut a piece of leather or plastic jewelry about double the length of your desired key chain. Fold the string in half and wrap the doubled string around the split ring. Then bring it back around and put it through the string loop. Wrap the string tightly around the split ring. String the beads, Best Dad, I love Dad or Daddy’s keys. Or you could create a pattern with dad’s favorite colors. Tie the end in a double knot, and snip off any extra string.
If you want to open a savings account for your little one(s), please visit a branch in New Berlin, Springfield, Modesto, or Palmyra.