Father's Day Gift Ideas from Toddlers

Stuck for Father's Day ideas from your toddler?
Father's Day is on this Sunday (September 6th) for us, here in New Zealand and Australia, so I thought I would share a few favourite creations I found circulating around the blogosphere. I have also included something special I made (on my son's behalf) for his Daddy last year.

Here are some crafty and inexpensive Father's Day gift ideas your toddler can make at home - Made With Love. 

'My Dad Rocks' Paperweight

Cobwebs Cupcakes and Crayons

DIY Sharpie 'Scribble' Mugs 
Always Made With Love

Easy Kid-Made Father's Day Gift Idea: Popsicle Stick Fix-It Sign

Pink and Green Mama

Easy Craft Idea for Toddlers

Thriving Home 

Here are a couple of ideas I did for Master M's Daddy last year...

Photo Collage (Baby/Toddler holding letters D.A.D)

Teacher by trade Mother by nature

DIY: I Love You to Pieces Frame

Teacher by trade Mother by nature

You will need: 
A frame (what ever size you like) 
Puzzle pieces 
Glue (I used a Hot Glue gun)
"I love you to pieces" message (handwritten or printed)
Photo 

Gather all your materials. I bought a couple of puzzles from the local op-shop for $1 and frame for $2. Get your toddler to place puzzles pieces and with your help, glue them around the frame. While the puzzle pieces are drying, you can either write the "I love you to pieces" message on a piece of card or make one on the computer and laminate it. *Note: I made these with my Coffee Group, so I had a few options, with different fonts and sizes. Glue the message on to the puzzle frame and leave it to dry. Pop in a photo of your choice (e.g. Dad & kids or just kids) and present it to him on Father's Day.

The great thing about this frame is you can make one for Dad, Mum, Aunty, Uncle and even Grandparents. A beautiful gift idea, made with love, that will definitely bring a smile to their face.

What do you think of these cute and very special, made with love, Father's Day Gift Ideas? Which one do you think you will try with your toddler? 

Happy Father's Day
x

Charlene

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6

M is for Make Your Own Ribbon Memo Board

Yesterday Miss B & I had another Mother & Daughter Date. We went to the op-shop to find us some bargains and Miss B found a cork-board for a couple of dollars and I thought - PERFECT - we can do a bit of DIY and make a ribbon memo board for her room. There are so many variations of how to make these Memo/Bulletin/Notice boards. Here is a simple tutorial of how to "Make your own Ribbon Memo Board". 

You will need:  

Cork-board, batting, fabric, ribbon, washi tape (optional), pins, brass fasteners or brads (not pictured), scissors & gun stapler.

Here's what you do:

1. Cut batting to size and staple it to the cork-board. Cut off any excess batting.

 2. Now take your fabric and trim to size, leaving a generous outline (you can cut off excess*)

 #TIP: 
Pull the fabric tight before stapling it to the board. 
*Instead of cutting the excess fabric, fold it under and then staple.

3. Cut and place the ribbon however you would like it (Miss B chose the diamond effect). Once you are happy with it, use a pin to secure the ribbon where it crosses over (where two ribbons meet) - this will keep the ribbon in place while you staple the edges to the board. 

4. Originally we were going to use tacs (pins) but the cork-board was too thin for them to stay put...so we bought a little box of brass fasteners (brads) from the dollar store. For this: you will need a hammer & small nail to make a hole through the ribbon and cork-board (use a piece of wood underneath the cork-board, so you know when to stop), then put the brad through the hole, flip the board over and push down the sides of the brad. 

5. OPTIONAL: Frame your board with washi tape (do this after the ribbon stage). You can find a design that will suit your decor or theme. 

Here is the final product!

Now you can add photos, memos or whatever you like to your new Ribbon Memo Board!

PIN IT! 

(hover over top left corner of image)

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This post was part of the new One Word Blog Linkup hosted by: 

 Lisa of The Golden Spoons, Janine of Confessions of a Mommyholic, and Marcia of Blogitudes. This week, the word prompt choices were Fright & Yesterday

28

DIY: Super Cute Easter Bunnies Craft

The idea was inspired by this picture (original image credit: unknown) and so I thought it would be a cute craft to do with my Coffee Group - it also doubles up as a keepsake of your child's footprints.  Here is a quick and easy tutorial for you:

2

DIY: Home-Made Drums

I first made DIY Home-Made Drums at SPACE last year, and since then I have made them with my Coffee Group, for my own children & just recently, I made some for Master M's Home-based Carer (how nice am I?). They are super easy to make and the kids absolutely love them! 

You will need: 

Formula tins (washed and dried)

Glue 

Scrapbook paper (12x12)

Vinyl circles (for top and bottom)

String or ribbon (of your choice)

Here's what you do:

Grab your formula tin

Measure scrapbook paper and cut out the size you need

Glue the scrapbook paper to the tin
(if you use a hot glue gun - you will need to do this quickly before it sets)

You will need to cut an extra bit of scrapbook paper to cover exposed tin (see picture above) 

Cut two circles of vinyl (size of a side plate)

Punch 12 holes into vinyl (Tip: use clock face as a guide)

Thread your ribbon through the holes, tighten and tie a knot.
(Tip: Thread half one way, and then thread the other way - joining the two in the middle)

Now your drum is ready to make music! 

FROM THIS....                                    TO THIS!!!

How cool do these drums look? Now it's YOUR TURN!

They are perfect for Babies & Toddlers.

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7

DIY: Discovery Bottles

I made these Discovery Bottles for Master M when he was little (#notsolitte), to enjoy when he got a bit older.  Now at 10 months old, I can tell you, he plays with them every day - and loves them, especially the button & beads bottle (because it makes a LOT of noise). They are easy to make: all you need is an empty bottle & a collection of items of your choice to pop inside for your child to enjoy. (For safety purposes: please ensure that the lid is sealed tight, hot glued or taped closed).

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Advent Calendar: Day 22, 23 & Day 24: DIY - Santa & Rudolph Plate

Here are Miss B's last few activities for her Advent Calendar! Miss B has had a lot of fun completing all the tasks and she is looking forward to doing it all again next year. Master M will be oldern and more involved too so I can't wait! 

Details below

Day 22: Read Christmas Stories
This year we decided to start a new tradition with our little family..."12 books of Christmas" - see post here. Miss B has really enjoyed reading these books to Master M and to me as well. I might check out the Boxing Day sales and get some more Christmas books ready for next year! Her favourite book to read has been "A Pukeko in a ponga tree" (a New Zealand classic).

Day 23: Visit the Christmas Lights
Every year our city has a Christmas Lights Trail - we go around looking at all the houses that are covered with Christmas decorations and lights! There were some amazing houses this year! (Master M as fast asleep at home with Daddy - maybe next year)

Our city Christmas Tree! (sorry poor photo quality)

My best friend & Miss B's God Mother came with us on the Christmas Light Trail
(She just arrived from London)

Day 24: Get milk & cookies ready for Santa

I had seen this idea on Pinterest and thought it would be a cool idea to do with Miss B. It's really easy...all you need is a white plate & some Sharpies. 1. Write your message around the edge of the plate, 2. Trace 2x circle shapes for Santa's milk and cookies & 3. Draw a carrot shape for Rudolph's carrot. Bake the plate for 30 minutes in the oven at 180 degrees (or the microwave for 30 seconds) so that the Sharpie doesn't smudge. Put out Santa's plate tonight before the kids go to bed! 

Before I forget...We have completed our Day 6 & 7 (we had to reschedule - see it here) activities over the weekend. 

Day 6: Leave a gift under the Wishing Tree

Day 7: Go and visit Santa

This is Master M's FIRST Christmas so I definitely had to get a photo of him (and Miss B) with Santa this year! Love these photos! Thanks Harvey Norman!

ONE FINAL NOTE:

Merry Christmas to YOU and your family!

It's time to sit back and relax with my family and friends! What a fabulous year it has been - Thank you so much for visiting Teacher by trade - Mother by nature and being a part of my blogging community! 

Be sure to LIKE my Facebook page & FOLLOW me on Instagram 

See you soon!

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Advent Calendar: Day 13, 14 & 15 - DIY Reindeer Craft

More details below

Day 13: Give to charity

Miss B went through her clothes and toys this week. She has 2 bags full of clothes & a box of miscellaneous toys/DVDs ready to be dropped off to charity. Good work Miss B!

Day 14: Sing Christmas Carols/Songs

Loving this album - Now That's What I Call CHRISTMAS - It definitely gets you into the Christmas spirit. Miss B has also been singing along to Jingle Bells, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and more. What's your favourite Christmas song? 

Day 15: Christmas Craft #2 - DIY Reindeer Craft

Master M and I attended Coffee Group with the lovely ladies that host Childbirth Education Classes in our city. It was the last one for the year, and the ladies decided to end the year with a Christmas craft. We made Reindeers using our babies hand and foot prints. They are super easy to make and look really cool, also a great keepsake to remember how little their hands and feet are/were at Christmas time. This is Master M's First Christmas!

You will need... 

Green card 

Brown card, felt or pipe cleaners (for antlers)

White paper

Brown paint (plus sponge/paint brush)

Googly eyes

Mini pompoms (for nose) 

Scissors

Glue/Hot Glue

Glitter (optional) 

Wipes (for clean up)

Here's what you do...

 Paint your child's foot with brown paint and press onto card or white paper

 Add eyes and nose

 Add antlers to your reindeer

 I chose to trace Master M's hands and then add the pipe cleaner on top.

 Be sure to add the date (Month/Year) and AGE of your child (for Keepsake purposes). This will be a Christmas card for Miss B from Master M. I reckon she is going to love it!

Here are some more reindeer card designs by the other Mums & Bubs that attended Coffee Group.

Master M exploring the Christmas Tree

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