http://thepurplefig.com/postcards-playing-with-watercolours/

It was also featured on The Crafty Crow- one of our favourite sites for kids, parents/caregivers and educators!  Check them out:

http://www.thecraftycrow.net/2015/05/watercolor-resist-postcards.html

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Our children LOVE getting things in the mail.  Who doesn’t?  Why not send dad some love in the mail!  Our son was learning about beginning colour theory in school so this was the perfect activity for teaching his sister about how to get secondary colours from the three primary colours we chose.

Materials

• Watercolour paper postcard set or print our template on a sturdier paper such as cardstock postcard
• Watercolour paints (we used diluted liquid watercolours)
• Wax crayons or pastels
• Salt
• Straw
• Rubber cement (to be used by an adult)
• A variety of paintbrushes (we recommend one for each colour and used a variety of thicknesses)
• Craft tray
• Smock
• Scissors

Directions

• Print and cut out the postcard templates on a paper such as cardstock.  Flip them over and place them on your craft tray with the side without the print up.

• Please note:  We showed some of the techniques suggested on larger pieces of paper so they could more clearly be seen in the photographs, but you could also do this too, cutting out the postcards after.

• Draw designs on your card (our daughter decided to do circles) using wax crayons or pastels.  Paint over them with the diluted watercolours.

Method #1

• Add salt to your design while wet or damp (you can experiment with when to add it and see if there is a difference in effect).  Let it dry overnight and then gently brush off the salt.

Method #2

• Blow your paint around on your card using a straw.  This is particularly fun when you use the 3 primary colours as you get to see colour mixing in action.  Let dry overnight.

Method #3

• In a well ventilated area (we did it outside), have an adult drizzle rubber cement on your postcards.  Let dry.  Paint over with watercolours.  Let it dry and then gently rub off the cement, revealing the paper underneath.

Purpose

• Experimenting with painting materials and techniques.  Creating opportunities for writing.

Safety Notes

• Be sure to follow the directions on the rubber cement as this is a flammable substance.  We recommend that is be used by an adult.

http://thepurplefig.com/fathers-day-gifts-personalize-a-crate-box-and-fill-it-with-his-favourite-things/

This is an easy way to personalize a crate or box to fill with things that your dad may enjoy!

Materials

• Wooden crate or cardboard box
• Image of a photograph printed on paper (we had success with an ink jet, but depending on your surface you might find a photocopy or laser image easier, we recommend trying a smaller test image in the inside of the crate, prior to your final choice)
• Gloss gel medium (We used Liquitex, purchased at an Art Store)
• Paintbrush
• sandpaper (optional)
• Damp rag

Directions

• For this activity get a crate (we re-used an old apple box which you can pick up at garage sales, antique stores etc.) or cardboard box to put in a present for your dad.  Not only does it serve as a gift holder for items, but it can be kept as a keepsake.  We wanted ours to have a vintage or aged feeling.

• If you want a smooth finish, sand the area where you would like to put your image.

• Paint the side of the crate where you would like to put on the image with a generous coat of the gel medium.

• Put the image that you printed onto the gel medium (make sure that it is not upside down) so that the white/ blank side is facing you.  Be sure to rub  out any wrinkles/ bubbles.  Cover with another coat of the gel medium.  Let dry overnight.

• Gently, with your damp rag, rub off the paper.  If you want it to look aged, rub more vigorously in some areas or sand it when it has dried.

• Once it has completely dried, paint it with a thin coat of the gel.

Purpose

• Understanding that an image can be transferred.

Safety Notes

• Follow the directions on the product chosen.  Discard rag after use.

This activity was featured on The Crafty Crow!  A huge thanks to this amazing site.

http://www.thecraftycrow.net/2014/06/2-unique-last-minute-gift-ideas-for-fathers-day.html

Materials

• Cardstock
• Magazine
• Printer
• Scissors
• Tape
• Drawing materials (markers, pencil crayons, pencil, eraser etc.
• Magazine Gift Sleeve template Fathers-Day

Directions

• Print the Magazine Gift Sleeve template.  Create an illustration of your dad reading or any other illustration of your dad (e.g., related to the theme of the magazine, doing something fun together such as searching in forests for bunnies or swimming under the sea with mermaids!) in the provided boxes.  Be sure to colour it carefully, making it bright and adding a personal message.

• Cut it out along the dotted lines.  We mounted ours on a brightly coloured piece of paper and then cut it out again.  Fit it over the magazine and glue the edges together.

• You could also add a magazine subscription if you want it to be a gift that lasts the whole year long!

Purpose

• Thinking of others, promoting reading.

Safety Notes

• Use scissors with adult supervision.

Materials

• Gift card template up-cycle-envelope
• Paper to re-use (some ideas might include your child’s artwork, a map, a magazine page, wrapping paper)
• Scissors
• Pencils
• Glue stick
• Bone folder (optional)
• Craft Knife/ self-healing mat (or cutting board) OR stickers to close the envelope.

Directions

• Print and cut out the provided envelope template.

• Decide on a type of paper that you want to use for your envelope.  Put it good side facing down.  Trace around the template onto your chosen paper.  Cut out the template.

• If you would like your envelope to have a different coloured interior, we suggest gluing them together first.

• Put the envelope on a self healing mat (or cutting board) and have an adult cut the slit that we marked with craft knife for you to tuck your top envelope corner into OR seal your envelope with a sicker once it is complete and you have filled it.

• Fold your envelope.  You can use a bone folder to make the lines sharp.

• Glue the edges.  Insert your gift card or small gift and tuck the top corner into the slit.

Purpose

• Re-purposing materials, fine motor skills (cutting, pasting, folding etc.)

Safety Notes

• Use scissors with care.
• Have an adult use the craft knife as they can be quite sharp.
• We recommend that you use a self- healing mat or a cutting board as craft knives can damage surfaces such as kitchen tables!

It does not need to be restricted to just dads- it can include grandpas, uncles or a mentor.

This activity was featured on The Crafty Crow!  Check it out- you will not be disappointed!

http://www.thecraftycrow.net/2014/06/2-unique-last-minute-gift-ideas-for-fathers-day.html

It was also featured on:

http://friendstitch.over-blog.com/

Materials

• Light coloured paper
• Coupon template coupons_for_you_and_me
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Eraser
• Pencil crayons
• Sewing Machine/ Thread OR Stapler

Directions

• Print the coupon template (as many times as you like for as many activities as you want to include.  It is also good to have back-ups for mistakes.)

• Fill in the activities (e.g., going to the library together, raking the lawn, buying dad a coffee with your allowance, riding the subway etc.)

• Add an illustration of you and your dad/ special male figure.

• Cut out the pieces.  Stack them up.  Sew the double lines with a sewing machine or staple along that area.

• Remove the thread from your sewing machine and sew along the single line (as shown) to create a perforated edge (for tearing the coupons off)

• Give to your dad, grandpa, uncle etc.

Purpose

• Creating reasons for writing and understanding the components of various writing forms.

Safety Notes

• A sewing machine should be used by an adult or with direct adult supervision depending on the child’s age and abilities.
• Use a stapler with caution/ adult supervision.

Materials

• Rope (re-use or purchase at a hardware store)
• Twine
• Square of cardboard
• Paint
• Flat tray, container
• Tape
• White paper or newsprint
• Crepe paper & Kraft paper (optional)
• Gift Tag I’m Knots Over You!  KnotsAboutYou
• Scissors

Directions

• Cut a piece of twine and wrap it around a square of cardboard (cut from a box etc.).  Tape it at the back.

• Put your paint in a shallow container or on a tray (that will fit your cardboard square.)

• Dip your twine wrapped square into the paint, being sure to keep it relatively flat (so the paint stays on the twine).

• Place it gently on your white paper.  We found holding the twine on the back worked better than the cardboard itself).  Dip and repeat.  You could do lines or other formations- this is mainly to get familiar with a different printing technique.

• Allow your work to dry.

• We cut out a thick strip and layered it over top of kraft paper and crepe paper and secured the layers with tape.

• We then took a length of rope and tied knots in it!  (Older children could experiment with more complex knots).

• Wrap your present, using the rope like a ribbon and attach the provided gift tag, should you like. (“I’m Knots Over You!”)

Purpose

• Re-using materials, learning different techniques/processes for creating prints

Safety Notes

• As rope is sometimes thicker and difficult to cut, have an adult help you.  Rope can pose a strangulation hazard- use with direct supervision and care.

Materials

• Cardstock
• Printer
• Drawing materials
• Clear cellophane bag (these can be purchased at party stores or dollar stores and are generally a standard 12 cm size when flat)
• Stapler
• Cookies, candies, chips, dried fruit or any food item that your father may like!  (You might want to accompany this with a movie for a gift).
• Template treats_topper_template

Directions

• Print the topper. (We put two copies on each page.) Add illustrations of either yourself and your dad and/or the treats you have decided to put into the bag. Add your name to the back.

• Cut it out and fold it in half along the dotted line.

• Fill the cellophane bag with your treat and staple on the topper.

• Give it to your dad, grandpa or mentor.

Purpose

• Thinking of others, using writing for a variety of reasons.

Safety Notes

• Use scissors and a stapler with adult supervision.

Materials

• Fabric (such as felt)
• Bristol board
• Pencil
• Fabric Scissors
• Template A Hug From Me to You  AHugMeToYou
  
• Printer

Directions

• Have your child lay on bristol board and trace their outstretched arms.  This is a great activity for two kids to do together.  Cut this out.

• To simplify we did the hands and cut out long strip in between for the “hug” for our fabric version.

• Pin it onto fabric such as felt and cut out with fabric scissors.  You could also simply do a paper version.

• We sewed around the edges just to create a little interest.

• Print the provided template, add a personal message.

• Tuck the hug and the template into an envelope and send to your father, grandpa or mentor.

Purpose

• Beginning to understand written correspondence.  Using a physical symbol/ representation for an idea/ gesture.

Safety Notes

• Use scissors with adult supervision.

Materials

• Blank card/ envelope set (or fold cardstock in half)
• Stamp pad or paint (in a shallow container)
• Smock
• Craft tray
• Damp cloth
• Template “Sending you a little love…” SendingaLITTLELove
• Printer
• Glue stick
• Scissors

Directions

• Don your smock and put your blank card in your craft tray.

• On the front of the card, make a heart with your child’s fingerprints (as seen in the photograph), using either a non-toxic stamp pad or paint.  Let it dry overnight.  Be sure to have a damp cloth on hand to prevent any inky fingerprints ending up somewhere unintended!

• Print and cut out our message “Sending you a little love…” and glue it into the card or write your own.

• Send it to someone special.

Purpose

• Making materials to encourage writing/ correspondence

Safety Notes

• Use non-toxic paint/ ink
• Cover surfaces and clothes

Materials

• Light coloured mug
• Paint pen (meant for glass/ ceramics purchased at a craft store)
• Pencil
• Binary Code Alphabet http://www.convertbinary.com/alphabet.php
• Practice mug sheet mug_practice-sheet

Directions

• Print out the practice mug sheet.  Decide on what you want to write on the mug.  We selected the word, “Dad”.  Practise on the provided sheet writing out your “secret message”.

• Using a paint pen, write the code on your mug.  Be sure have your child add her/his name and the year to the bottom of the mug.  Follow the directions on the pen and the mug as per drying, setting the paint with heat and whether it then must be hand-washed.

• Want to make this a special gift?  Add a subscription for coffee or espresso to be delivered monthly to the special recipient.  Here’s an example:

http://www.transcendcoffee.ca/categories/coffee-subscriptions

• Another option is to make this a portrait mug- who doesn’t love a child’s illustration of dad?

Purpose

• Fine motor skills, beginning to understand information can be represented in a variety of ways.

Safety Notes

• Be sure to follow the directions on the paint pen and the chosen mug regarding application and washing.