In the United States and Canada, Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June. Celebrate Father’s Day in your preschool, daycare center, or family daycare with creative crafts, songs, and stories about fathers or other special family members.
Depending on the circumstances in the child’s household, you can also change the theme to “loved one’s day”, so as not to exclude the special person in the child’s life.
Father’s Day Arts and Crafts
Framed Father’s Day Poem
Shirley’s Preschool Activities offers a free printable “Daddy, I Love You” poem that can be personalized and framed. Print out the poem on sturdy paper and children can then attach their photo, draw a picture, or use paint to create a handprint. Then frame or laminate each poem.
Rock Paperweight
A classic Father’s day gift, a paperweight is a simple craft for small hands. Have each child decorate a medium sized rock. Use tempura paint and all sorts of embellishments like sequins and glitter. After the paperweight has dried, add felt to the bottom so that the paperweight does not slip around on dad’s desk. Wrapping the paperweight in tissue paper and completing it with a ribbon adds to the presentation.
Father’s Day Books
Just Two of Us by Will Smith [Scholastic Press, 2001]
Will Smith sets rap lyrics to illustrations in this touching tribute to the splendor of fatherhood. The original rap, Just the Two of Us, a remake of Bill Withers' classic song, features the irresistible classic hook: “Just the two of us, building castles in the sky. Just the two of us, you and I”. Although the book is perfect for ages 4-8, it is suitable for all ages.
Daddy All Day Long by Francesca Rusackas, Priscilla Burris [HarperCollins, 2004]
This incredibly charming story features the durable love between a father and child. Owen communicates to his father how much he loves him (“More than one million zillion kisses!”) but in the end, Owen knows Daddy loves him right back and all day long.
Father’s Day Music and Movement Activity
Sing this clever song to the tune of “Jingle Bells”:
“Thank You, Dad” [author unknown, 1998]
Thank you, Dad
Thank you, Dad
Thanks for loving me.
Hugs and kisses, hugs and kisses,
Comes to you from me.
Thank you, Dad
Thank you, Dad
You are such a friend.
On this day I'd like to say,
On you I can depend.
Communicate with parents in order to be aware of the child’s family structure and modify activities as needed. Keep Father’s Day activities simple and fun and allow the children to express themselves in their own unique way.
For more preschool and daycare activities, see Online Preschool Lesson Plans.
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