Father's Day Crafts that Dad will Love

Craft time is a great time for kids to create the best gift ever for dad.  Here are some ideas to get you started.


Crafts by Amanda

Dad Rocks Paperweight

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 F.
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.

Better Home & Gardens

Personalized Coasters

Help kids make coasters that Dad will treasure forever. Using tumbled-marble tiles (available at most home improvement stores), stamp a decorative pattern. Then place your little one's hand print on the tile. Make sure to cover it with a waterproof glaze to prevent the ink from fading or washing away.

Puzzle Frame

Materials:

large coloured Popsicle sticks (tongue depressors)

momstown.ca

paint (if your sticks are not coloured)
puzzle pieces (can be random and mixed up)- sold at most Dollar Stores
great photo of your child
paper

Directions:

1.  If your sticks are not coloured, paint them and let them dry before you assemble the frame.

2.  Glue 4 large sticks to make a square (alternating and overlapping at the corners).

3.  Glue in your photo.

4.  Decorate the border of your frame (the sticks) by gluing on random puzzle pieces.

5.  Write a note for Dad that says "I love you to pieces" and glue it to the bottom of the frame.

How about making daddy breakfast in bed?  Look how cute these "mancakes" are!

Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons

Sporty Mancakes...

Pancake Mix

Whipped Cream Spray

1 Orange

Raisins

1 Strawberry

Shape the pancakes in a pan on low heat into a small round circle (baseball) and a football shape. Place them on the plate. Cut a orange in half to make the basketball. Place raisins on top. Spray whipped cream spray on the baseball and cut a strawberry in strips to place on top. Spray whipped cream spray on the football to make the laces.

Dadcakes...

Pancake Mix

Fruit

1 Mini Marshmallow

2 Mini Chocolate Chips

Shape a large round pancake in the pan. Place on the plate. Cut a mini marshmallow in half and add mini chocolate chips for the eyes. Decorate with fruit!

Tie Mancakes...

Pancake Mix

Whipped Cream Spray

Fruit

Make a tie shape in the pan with your pancake mix. It doesn't have to be perfect. Just trim the edges with kitchen scissors. Decorate with whipped cream spray and fruit. You can also use chocolate chips. Whatever dad likes best!

This Blog was written by Angela Hickman - mother of 2, momstown Milton member and blogger - Mommy TimeOut.

How My Father Influenced Me

The month of June carries with it a lot of change and promise. The change of the season as we move from spring to summer. The promise of adventure ahead for children as they say goodbye to their school year and prepare for summer excitement. Also, it provides a poignant time for self-reflection. The time to reflect on the father figures in our lives: fathers; grandfathers; uncles; brothers; all of the men who were in our lives when we were growing up and taught us the values of strength and courage.

Image credit: salon.com

One of my earlier memories of my father was when, at the age of three years, we moved from Toronto to Mississauga. Moving to a suburban space with a large backyard was a sight for my eyes which previously had only taken in images of sprawling concrete. The backyard, I recall, had no grass and for whatever reason, I was given a shovel and I started shovelling away. Thinking back now, I have to suppress laughter, as I truly don't know what strategic end there was to me toiling away with a shovel (I never planted a single thing that day). But perhaps, it was my father's way of letting me have some good ole' fashion kiddie fun.

Image credit: dehypnotize.wordpress.com 

What memory do you have? 

Another time I remember my father trying to teach me the value of money. This was at age five. One summer's day, my father walked me to the local bank and arranged for a bank account to be opened for me. I didn't quite understand what was happening. I remember the teller having a warm, very friendly, smiling face. The words "we're trying to teach her" and "money" are etched in my psyche. And for some reason, the memory of wearing green shorts (the exact shade escapes me) comes back. From that summer's day on, I was made knowledgeable over the state of their mortgage (they ended up paying off the mortgage when I was seven years old); the heating bills; the impact on electricity use; and more. To this day, the lessons learned from that summer's day and the many days thereafter are very much a fundamental part of me.

Image credit: outschoolspotted.blogspot.com

What lessons do you remember? 

My father wasn't afraid to tell me that life can be tough. Having had a difficult childhood, he'd seen and experienced some of life's more painful moments. My father was incredibly honest about how arduous the trials of our world could be and how heartache was a part of this game that we call life.  He told me everyday that I'd have to be tough; I'd have to speak up to be heard; and never to be afraid to be me. Lessons that I hold near and dear to my heart each and every day of my life. They shaped me. His sardonic sense of humour,  his love of learning; all with me and lessons I pass on to my own children. Proud and powerful influences for which I'm forever grateful for.

Image credit: fcaministers.com 

Written by Liz Marques Kogan, a momstown Milton member and mother of two children. 

You can check out her site at: OrchidaWords 

momstown Milton's Top Picks for Father's Day Gift Ideas

Dads seem to get the short end of the stick when it comes to Father's Day gifts.  Tacky ties, homemade ash trays and pictures of dogs playing poker are just a few of the gifts I've heard some daddies have received.  Men are pretty straight shooters and if you think about it, they're pretty easy to shop for.  We have a ton of great places to shop right here in town to help give the dads in our lives the best Father's Day gift ever!

1)  Is hubby a golfer or does he want to learn how to golf?  How about a gift certificate for his favorite golf course?  There are some great courses in the Milton area that will fit the bill for any level of golfer. 

2)  Need to outfit dad?  Clarke's Golf has a wide range of equipment that will make dad look like a PGA player.  Choose from clothing, shoes or equipment to help improve dad's game.

3)  How about a guilt free night out with the boys?  Dad likes to hang out with his buddies but doesn't want to feel bad for doing so.  How about sending him out to a momstown Milton favorite and get him a gift certificate to Boston Pizza?

4)  Looking to make dad something from the heart?  Simply Creative allows you the opportunity to use your imagination to create a one of a kind piece.Don't forget to show your momstown card for our special discounted rate! 

5)  Indigo has a wide range of items perfect for any dad.  Whether you choose to get them a book about their favourite sports team, fishing or barbecuing or a fun little gadget to satisfy his tech cravings, you're sure to find the perfect gift.

6) Wee Piggies & Paws creates beautiful one of a kind, highly detailed ornaments and life casts mounted or professionally frames.  Mention you are a Momstown member and receive $10.00 off any Shadow box or framed ornament.

Whatever you decide to get dad, try to keep him and what he enjoys in mind.  We tend to buy things that we think our hubbies should want rather than what they would want.  Let's make this one of the most memorable Father's Days ever!

 This Blog was written by Angela Hickman - mother of 2, momstown Milton member and blogger - Mommy TimeOut.