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My Dad Rocks Craft

Are you looking for unique Father’s Day crafts for kids that go beyond the traditional? Try making a My Dad Rocks craft that stands out as a touching and personalized gift.

In a world where store-bought presents are the norm, a keepsake such as this DIY-themed picture frame brings warmth and special significance.

Our tutorial will guide you through creating a simple yet heartfelt photo frame, emphasizing the beauty of handmade gifts. This project is easy to make and serves as a memorable token of affection, perfect for showing dads just how much they mean to us.

Top of image says My Dad Rocks Craft on blue background. Below is a photo of a wooden frame craft made with paint and gluing various stones on it.

This homemade gift idea is delightful for kids of all ages, from preschool to elementary, allowing them to tap into their creativity while expressing their love for their dads.

It’s especially perfect for outdoorsy, nature-loving dads, as it can incorporate elements of nature and inspire appreciation for the outdoors.

The straightforward nature of this craft ensures that even the youngest artists can participate, making it a delightful activity for a classroom setting, a rainy afternoon at home, or even as a bonding activity outside.

When is Father’s Day?

Father’s Day is celebrated in the United States on the third Sunday of June each year. It is a special time to honor fathers, grandfathers, and father figures for their roles and influences.

It is also celebrated globally; the United Kingdom celebrates in June, and Australia celebrates in September. This reflects the beautiful diversity of how nations acknowledge fathers’ contributions to their societal structures.

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My Dad Rocks Craft Benefits for Kids

Working on this project provides multifaceted benefits for children, offering a unique opportunity to ponder on their relationship with their dad and what makes him special to them.

This thoughtful process encourages children to express their feelings creatively, making the gift even more heartfelt. They could also fill out our printable super dad questionnaire to gift along with this.

Additionally, the hands-on activities involved, such as painting, gluing, and assembling the picture frame, nurture fine motor skills, which are crucial for child development. Counting out stones is a practical application of math skills in a fun and engaging way.

Furthermore, this craft allows kids to explore their artistic side, choosing colors and patterns, fostering creativity and personal achievement upon seeing their completed work.

Can This Project Be Made for Other Holidays?

Absolutely, this handmade gift can be marvelously adapted for other celebrations as well. Whether for Dad’s birthday, Christmas, or any occasion worthy of commemorating this versatile craft offers a canvas to express gratitude and love.

Adjusting the message on the frame becomes a heartwarming gift for Grandpa on Grandparents Day or any significant figure in a child’s life. The beauty of this craft lies in its adaptability, allowing the sentiment to be tailored to the recipient and the occasion, making it a universally cherished gift.

Close view of black puffy paint used to write Dad Rocks on the painted photo frame.

Printable Father’s Day Cards

Printable Father’s Day cards offer a delightful complement to creating a personalized photo holder, emphasizing the thoughtfulness behind the gift. These card projects are fun and engaging for children and add a personal touch that dads will surely cherish.

The ease of printing a card at home, or the joy of decorating a handcrafted one with stickers, crayons, and even glitter, allows kids of all ages to participate.

This accessibility ensures that every child can present their father with something unique and heartfelt, making the celebration of Father’s Day even more special and memorable.

Shop some of my favorite craft supplies on Amazon!

Picture Frame Craft Supplies

You will need a few essential supplies for your creation. Start with a collection of rocks—those personally found and cherished by your children add sentimental value, especially if collected during moments shared with their father, creating a meaningful keepsake.

Alternatively, polished rocks can be acquired from craft stores or online platforms like Amazon for a more uniform appearance.

Supplies for My Dad Rocks craft includes a wooden frame, brown paint, white paint, a marker, and a box of rocks.

For assembling your project, we recommend using a hot glue gun for its durability and stronghold, ensuring your gift stands the test of time.

Older children can safely use a low-temperature glue gun under adult supervision. If a glue gun is unavailable, tacky craft glue is a decent alternative, although it may be less long-lasting.

You will also need some acrylic paint and paintbrushes for decorating, permanent markers, glitter glue, or puffy paint for adding messages or designs. A cotton ball may also help dab paint or clean up.

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How to Make This My Dad Rocks Craft

For a rugged and natural appearance, apply a coat of brown paint to the frame and allow it to dry completely.

Top image shows frame painted brown. Bottom photograph shows white paint dabbed on the brown to create a texture effect.

Then, use a cotton ball to gently dab white paint onto the frame, creating a textured effect. Feel free to experiment with different color combinations, incorporating Dad’s favorite colors.

Once the paint has thoroughly dried, use a marker, glitter glue, or puffy paint to write “Dad” along the top and “Rocks” at the bottom of the frame.

Top part shows glue gun applying glue to back of rock. Bottom shows frame filled with rocks.

Then, glue stones and pebbles to the sides of the frame. The kids can also paint the rocks, if they wish, for a more personalized effect.

Helpful Crafting Tips

Selecting the right glue is crucial for keeping the stones in place; a hot glue gun offers the strongest bond, but for preschoolers, non-toxic craft glue can be a safer alternative, albeit with a longer drying time.

When creating with kids, always supervise the use of tools and materials. To make the project enjoyable and safe, provide them with age-appropriate tasks, such as selecting rocks or painting with guidance.

Remember, the goal is to have fun and create a memorable gift, so adapt the project to fit the abilities and attention spans of the children involved.

Finished My Dad Rocks craft. The picture frame is painted and glued on rocks resemble rocks cemented in a wall.

Other Creative Ways to Decorate The Frame

For those looking for a less messy alternative to painting, our tissue paper picture frame craft tutorial offers a colorful and fun way to decorate. This method involves tearing pieces of tissue paper and gluing them onto the frame, creating a vibrant, textured look that kids will love.

Additionally, our cute Mother’s Day frame craft, adorned with fingerprint flowers and insects, can serve as inspiration for personalizing the “My Dad Rocks” frame. Adding a favorite quote, important date, or fun stickers can make the frame even more special.

When choosing the right photo for the frame, consider a memorable moment that reflects the unique bond between the child and their father, such as a picture from a recent adventure, a favorite shared activity, or a candid moment that captures their relationship. This custom approach ensures their masterpiece is a cherished keepsake.

Father’s Day Activity Ideas for Kids

There are numerous enjoyable activities that kids can engage in to celebrate their dads. Our Father’s Day directed drawing printables provide a fun, guided art activity that children of all ages can enjoy. This allows them to produce unique artwork and offers a memorable experience that dads and kids can share.

Our printable Father’s Day bookmarks are also perfect for kids to customize, especially for dads who love reading. These can be customized with messages, colors, and decorations, making them a special keepsake.

Kids can plan a surprise picnic in the park, prepare a homemade breakfast in bed for dad, organize a family movie night with dad’s favorite films, or even plan a backyard camping experience.

These meaningful activities allow for quality family time, making Father’s Day even more special and memorable for everyone involved.

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More Fun Father’s Day Crafts for Kids

These easy Father’s Day crafts for kids are designed to spark children’s creativity and forge a deeper bond by making something unique and personal.

From the simplicity of paper and glue to the delightful mess of paint and glitter, each project promises a memorable making experience and a unique gift that dads will undoubtedly cherish.

Whether constructing something from scratch or adding a personal touch to something existing, these additional ideas offer endless opportunities for kids to express their love and appreciation in tangible, heartfelt ways.

Making this photo holder, along with accompanying cards and other Father’s Day activities, kids have a unique opportunity to express their love and appreciation for their dads in a deeply personal and creative way.

These projects go beyond just a fun activity; they become cherished keepsakes that symbolize the special bond between father and child. This Father’s Day, the gift of time, creativity, and love encapsulated in these keepsakes will surely make any dad feel genuinely valued and deeply loved.

Finished My Dad Rocks craft. The picture frame is painted and glued on rocks resemble rocks cemented in a wall.

My Dad Rocks Craft

Yield: 1
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Active Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Cost: $20 or less

Make a personalized Father's Day photo frame with this My Dad Rocks craft for kids. This easy, step-by-step guide includes all you need for a fun crafting session, resulting in a unique gift dads will cherish.

Materials

  • Rocks
  • Wooden Craft Frame
  • Acrylic Paint
  • Sharpie Marker, Glitter Glue or Puffy Paint

Tools

  • Paintbrush
  • Cotton ball
  • Glue Gun or Tacky Craft Glue

Instructions

  1. Paint the frame brown (or the color of your choice.) Allow time to dry.
  2. Use the cotton ball to dab white paint over the frame to add texture. Put a small amount of paint on the cotton ball and gently press it against the frame. Allow time for the paint to dry.
  3. Use a marker, glitter glue, or puffy paint to write Dad Rocks on the frame.
  4. Glue the rocks to the sides of the frame.
  5. Add a photo of your child with their dad!

Notes

  • Pick stones with at least one smooth side. 
  • Hot glue will work best with this project, but small children need help.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

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