Skip to main content

NewFolks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

6 incredible DIY Father’s Day gift ideas a 10-year-old can make

Mother’s Day was the catalyst for a day set aside to honor dads, but it certainly took quite a bit longer for the idea to catch on in popularity. The first Mother’s Day was celebrated in 1908, and by 1914 President Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday in May to be Mother’s Day. A day honoring dads was held in West Virginia in 1908, but it’s the first Father’s Day in the state of Washington on June 19, 1910, organized by Sonora Smart Dodd, that was the spark to create a day just for dads.

However, it would take until 1972 for Father’s Day to become an official federal holiday. It took the government a while, but by the conclusion of World War II, most people marked Father’s Day on June 19.

Today, Father’s Day doesn’t cause a stir at local florists, but many golf courses do get pretty busy. If you’re looking for a personal way for your 10-year-old to celebrate his or her dad, a DIY gift is truly heartfelt. Pair it with a fun family outing, and you have a memorable Father’s Day. Here are some fabulous Father’s Day gift ideas to really make Dad’s special day.

Gifts set out for Father's Day
NYS/Shutterstock

DIY Father’s Day gift ideas

Personalized grilling apron

If your dad loves Chopped, is an avid fan of anything Food Network, and is a backyard griller and kitchen chef, he needs his own personalized apron. Give him one from the heart by taking a plain apron and have your 10-year-old personalize it with fabric paint or markers. Have your child plan out their design on paper before getting to work on the apron.

Create your own photo frame for Dad

A photo in a frame is always a treasured gift for parents, and with a DIY photo frame kit, kids can make a special frame for Dad to hold a 5-inch-by-7-inch picture. This budget-friendly DIY photo frame kit can make four frames, so it’s ideal for multiple-kid families. Each child can use paint to design his or her own frame for Father’s Day. Enclose a picture that is sentimental to the child and dad, and you have a loving gift that is a lifelong keepsake.

Puzzle-piece frame

If you have kids, you have a pile of lost puzzle pieces. Put the pieces to good use with a creative DIY picture frame project that’s straight from the heart. Have your 10-year-old paint a wooden picture frame in Dad’s favorite color. Using a glue gun, attach puzzle pieces all around the frame to make an eclectic border. Since the glue does get hot, supervise your tween when he or she is using it. Turn one puzzle piece over and glue it in the middle of the top or bottom of the frame. Write a special puzzle pun like “Love you to pieces” inside the puzzle piece in black marker.

Place inside a noteworthy photo of your 10-year-old or the whole family.

Painted mug for Dad

Whether dad enjoys coffee or tea, he will really love having a morning mug painted by his tween. If your son or daughter has an artistic flair, this DIY ceramic mug-painting kit makes for a truly unique Father’s Day gift. The kit includes a white ceramic mug, paint, and brush. Before painting on the mug, it’s always a good idea to sketch a design on paper first.

Scrapbook for Dad

A decade is a long time for a dad to make memories with his 10-year-old. You and your son or daughter can take a walk down memory lane by putting together a scrapbook for Dad to celebrate Father’s Day. This is a keepsake he will enjoy long after your tween has left the nest for college and beyond. Create an Our Adventure Book scrapbook with photos featuring Dad and the kiddos through the years, starting with those adorable baby photos. This DIY scrapbooking project will give you a reason to dig through those boxes of old photos or finally print photos from your smartphone.

You can add pages every Father’s Day and also have each child create a special scrapbook for Dad featuring their treasured times.

Pam Menegakis / Unsplash

Personalized backyard grilling kit

If Dad loves to grill, a sizzling gift would be a styling set of utensils that is personalized. Get Dad a new set of grilling tools, but make sure the handles are wooden. Using paint markers, your tween can give each tool a personal touch by decorating the handles with sayings or designs. This will be a grilling set Dad will want to take special care of. Pair the personalized backyard grilling kit with the matching apron, and Dad is all ready to get cooking — just not on Father’s Day. Let Mom do the grilling on his big day.

A DIY gift is a great way to remind fathers how much they’re loved and appreciated. As kids get older, those keepsake gifts take on a whole other meaning as children hit double digits and middle and high school loom in the near future. One of these Father’s Day DIY gift ideas will definitely make Dad’s day more memorable, as will pairing it with an activity he enjoys, whether it’s golfing, hiking, biking, or watching his favorite team play.

It may have taken a while for Father’s Day to become a federal holiday, but it has long been a day to celebrate all those wonderful things dads do every day.

Editors' Recommendations

Dawn Miller
Dawn Miller began her professional life as an elementary school teacher before returning to her first love, writing. In…
9 incredible birthday party food ideas when you’re on a budget
Food ideas for birthday parties that are inexpensive and delish
Kids enjoying eating pizza at a birthday party

A lot goes into putting together a birthday party for kids, whether you're hosting it at home or at a party venue. From food to desserts and beverages to party favors and beyond, the bills can add up quickly, putting a dent in the family bank account. Of course, you can have a fun and festive party for your child without overspending. When it comes to kids, simple typically is better. Bigger doesn't necessarily mean better when it comes to food ideas for a birthday party.

If you have a birthday party coming up and don't want to order high-priced catered food, no worries. There are plenty of yummy food ideas for a birthday party if you're on a budget. A budget doesn't mean cheesy or tasteless either. You can put together a delicious menu that kids will actually eat and enjoy without spending an excessive amount of money.

Read more
10 cool talent show ideas for kids so they can wow their audience
Get ready to applaud, audiences will enjoy these fun talents show ideas for kids
Girl performs in a talent show

Talent shows like NBC's American's Got Talent have never really gone out of style. Audiences have always loved the format where everyday people show of their respective talents. Talent shows are also popular with the kiddos who aren't shy about performing.  As a parent though, you may wonder if your kid's talent can stand up to a more seasoned competition where the audience is not made up of just family members. If your child has signed up for a talent show either at school, camp, or your community center, don't worry. There are a lot of fun talent show ideas for kids to wow an audience.

How to decide on a talent show idea for kids
The first thing to do when your child tells up about an upcoming talent show is to say congratulations. Making the decision to take part in a talent show takes a lot of courage. So, be sure to be encouraging despite any reservations you may have. Next, it's time to come up with a number for the talent show.

Read more
4-year-old birthday party ideas: 7 low-stress themes your child will love
Throw a preschool party that rocks with these 4-year-old birthday party themes
Boy is excited for his fourth birthday

Congratulations! Your little one is turning 4. This is such an exciting age and so much fun to plan an exciting birthday celebration for. Preschoolers are curious, have a great deal of energy, and love to play. When putting together a fabulous fourth birthday party, you'll need to have an engaging theme, but you also don’t want to overload yourself with added stress. Thankfully, soon-to-be 4-year-olds have a wealth of interests to choose an inviting theme from.

Whether you're hosting at home or holding the party at a venue, the theme sets the tone for the party’s decor, cake, and goodie bags. To avoid giving yourself extra anxiety, pick a theme that’s easy to implement, easy on the budget, and of course, one that kids will be excited about. There are quite a few 4-year-old birthday party ideas that are super fun for the kiddos and low-stress for you.

Read more