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Looking for some easy
gifts that your children can make and give to their father or
grandfathers on June 16? Try some of these quick gifts made with a
computer, a printer and some specialty papers.
1.
Checkbook cover and I.O.U. checks
Start
with a clear checkbook cover; you may be able to get one for free from 
your bank or credit union. They can also be purchased for a
nominal cost from Kelco
Industries. Open up a print
layout or graphics program (like Print Artist
) and create a rectangle that will fit inside the checkbook
cover. Import clipart of a dollar bill, then enhance it by placing Dad’s
photo where the president’s face would normally be positioned on the
center of the bill. Print your design on cardstock and slip it inside
the checkbook cover.
Print
out the free I.O.U
checks from our website. Cut them out, stack them, then
use a notepad vice and glue (available from The
Crafty PC) to create a pad of checks. The kids can then
fill out the checks, making them redeemable for chores such as washing
the car, taking out the garbage, helping with yard work, or any simple
chore that Dad normally handles.
2.
Magnet photo frames
Print Artist
includes templates for photo frames. These can be reduced and printed
in black and white (called “coloring book format”) on inkjet magnet
paper, then cut out. Kids can color the frames and place their
favorite “dad and me” photo inside the frame. A nifty gift for
Dad’s office!
You can also find free
photo frame templates at the Hewlett
Packard website.
3.
Magnetic dry erase board
This
is the perfect gift for the Dad who always seems to forget important
phone numbers and appointments! In a graphics or paint program, have
your child create a border and then write some text at the top of the
page, like “Things to Do,” or “Important Phone Numbers.” Print
it on an 8.5” x 11” magnet sheet. Cover the surface of the magnet
sheet with laminate or clear contact paper. Include a dry erase marker.
4.
Pencil holder with personalized pencil toppers
We
purchased this acrylic pencil holder from the craft section of our local
Wal-Mart store; you may be able to find it at a craft store like joann.com
. Or you could use an acrylic mug
(available from The
Crafty PC), or even an empty, clean
juice can. The toppers are available from a company called EDPS
for $.69 each. Simply measure the size of the circle on the topper (or
the insert on the acrylic pencil holder), draw it in a layout program
like Microsoft Publisher
, then scan and drop in the photo of your choice.
5.
“World’s Greatest Dad” award
Billy
Bear for Kids, a
children’s website, has a “World’s Greatest Dad,” certificate
that your child can print, fill out, frame and give to Dad.
6.
Miniature first aid kit
 A
miniature lunch box (available from some craft stores, joann.com
or Container Store
) can be embellished with computer-created stickers, puff paints or
markers. Fill it with first aid supplies like adhesive bandages, a tube
of antibiotic ointment, an instant cold pack, cloth bandages, a small
scissors and a list of emergency phone numbers. Dad can keep this nifty
emergency kit in his car’s glove compartment or on a shelf in his
garage.
7.
“Footprints” saying
This
is a great gift from a baby or toddler to his father. (Mom will need
to help, of course!) Trace the baby’s feet on a piece of black
construction paper and cut them out. In your graphics program, create a
border for the artwork and this wording:
Footprints
“Walk
a little slower Daddy,” said a child
so
small.
“I’m
following in your footsteps
and
I don’t want to fall.”
“Sometimes
your steps are very fast;
Sometimes
they’re hard to see;
So
walk a little slower, Daddy,
For
you are leading me.
Someday
when I’m all grown up,
You’re
what I want to be;
Then
I will have a little child
Who
will want to follow me.
And
I would want to lead just right,
And
know that I was true;
So
walk a little slower, Daddy,
For
I must follow you.”
Glue the footprints to a piece of
cardstock; glue on the created border and the saying. Place it all in a
nice frame for a gift that Dad will cherish!
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