Father’s Day: 10 Do-It-Yourself Ideas for a Fun & Free ‘Best Dad Ever’ Day

By Meagan Ruffing

Father’s Day is the perfect time to tell your husband just how much he means to you. It’s the one day out of the year that is just for Dad and with the right kind of planning – can be a day filled with memories to last a lifetime.

If money is an issue – no worries. These 10 simple tips won’t cost you a penny and the best part about them? They’re 100-percent homegrown and super easy. Here’s to a stress-free, money-free and child-friendly Father’s Day.

‘Dad Rocks’ Paperweight

Thank you to Crafts by Amanda for the great idea!

What you need:

1/4 cup salt
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup water
bowl
cookie sheet
1/2 cup pea gravel

What you do:

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

Mix flour, salt and water together in a bowl. If dough is too sticky add small amounts of flour until it is doughy and pliable. Be careful not to add too much as the dough will dry out and your creation will crack.

Shape a piece of the dough into a ball in your hands. Place the ball on the cookie sheet and flatten to about 1/2″ thickness.

Carefully select pieces of pea gravel to spell out ‘DAD ROCKS.’ Press them firmly but gently into the salt dough.

Bake your paperweight for 2-2.5 hours until completely dry.

Remove from oven and allow to cool before handling or removing from cookie sheet.

Optional: You can spray your creation with acrylic sealer or paint it with a clear coat sealer.

Breakfast in Bed – Whip up your sweetie something good to eat on his special day. Bonus: Have your kids deliver it to him.

Handprint Cards – Grab the finger paints and watch your kids’ faces light up. Lay out a piece of construction paper and have them go to town on a card for Dad. Fold the card in half and write a sweet note on the inside once the paint has dried.

Paperweight – Have your child collect pebbles the next time you’re out for a walk. Make this simple dough (see sidebar) and position pebbles to spell out ‘Dad Rocks.’

Sleep In – What’s better than sleeping in? Let your sweetie sleep in while you take care of things around the house. Take the kids outside to use their imagination while your hubby sleeps in peace and quiet.

Text a Picture – Does Dad have to work on his special day? No problem. Take a photo of your kids holding a sign that they create with their own artwork. Send it to him in a text to let him know that you’re thinking of him.

Things I love About You – Make a list or better yet, write a love note to your husband that tells him exactly why you love him. Is it the way he tucks your son in at night? Or is it because he and your daughter look just alike? Sometimes the littlest reminders can mean the most to your partner in crime.

Love Notes – Grab the post-its and write a bunch of sweet things to stick on surfaces around the house where you know your husband will be. Does he shave every morning? Stick one to the bathroom mirror that says, “You’re the best father ever.” Does he always put the same pair of slippers on? Stick a note inside that says, “I couldn’t imagine my life without you.”

Jam Out – Have your kids gather all of their instruments from around the house and work on a little jam session. Once you’ve got a beat down (or something close to it) call Dad in the room and tell him you have a special song that you and the kids would like to play for him. This one is sure to get some good laughs!

Clean the Car – If Dad is always on the go, he probably has a car that could use a little TLC. Grab the kids and make it a family affair. Let your kids vacuum the car mats and wipe down the windows. Your kids will get a kick out of doing big kid things and your husband will enjoy his clean ride.

Poem – What says ‘I love you’ more than a hand written poem? Make it funny or serious…it’s up to you. Whichever the way, your hubby will be sure to take it all in.

Don’t forget to enjoy the most important part of Father’s Day; Dad! Sometimes, the simplest gestures and most thoughtful gifts are actually the ones that cost nothing at all. Keep this list for this Father’s Day and the ones to come. Tailor it to your life and add ideas throughout the year.