Father's Day Gifts Kids Can Make

There's still time for your kids to make some great gifts for Dad! Try one of these simple, inexpensive ideas.

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1) A Customized Board Game

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Brainstorm about Dad's interests and hobbies. Then choose a theme for a board game you can make, similar to CandyLand. Buy a piece of white or colored posterboard. (Cost: .00 or less) Write a title at the top to fit your theme such as, "Dad's Dream Vacation Game" or "Dad's Crazy Car Show."

Draw a winding path with two lines from the lower left corner to the upper right corner. Write START in the lower left corner and FINISH in the upper right corner. Divide the path into spaces. Add pictures and instructions to many of the spaces that will move players both forwards and backwards. Ideas:

You forgot to change the oil in the car. Go back 2 spaces. You stop and help someone change a tire. Go ahead 4 spaces. Delays at the airport. Lose a turn. Free food at the amusement park. Take an extra turn.

To play this game with Dad, you'll need a marker for each player. Coins or scraps of different colored paper work well. You'll also need a dice from another game. Each play rolls the die and moves forward that number of spaces. He/she follows the directions on that space. The first player to FINISH wins.

2) Dad's Choice Credit Cards

Make Dad his very own credit cards-for free! Trace a real credit card onto plain white or construction paper. Cut out several blank cards to complete. Add Dad's full name and an imaginary account number on each card. On the back, write something that you will owe Dad. Make each card different. Here are some ideas:

Dad's choice on game night. You choose the game we play. Dad's choice of ice cream. You choose the flavor we buy at the grocery store. Dad's choice for dinner. (Please consult with the cook 24 hours in advance.) Dad's choice for television. Choose the evening, and choose the program.

Place these credit cards into your own homemade Father's Day card. When Dad opens the card on Sunday, explain to him that he can tuck these into his wallet and "spend" them whenever he wants!

3) Going Nuts

Place some of Dad's favorite nuts in an empty glass or plastic jar. Add a ribbon and a label that says, "Dad, I'm Nuts About You!"

Copyright 2008 Ann Richmond Fisher

Father's Day Gifts Kids Can Make

Playing word games together is another fun, free family activity for Father's Day, or any day. Check out some hilarious mad libs at http://www.word-game-world.com/printable-mad-libs.html.

Ann Richmond Fisher is co-owner and chief puzzle writer for http://www.word-game-world.com In addition to mad libs, you can also find cryptograms, anagrams, word searches, word scrambles, and original word games at this unique word game site. Puzzles range from easy-to-solve to very challenging. There is something that will be right for every member of your family!

Ann is also the author of over 60 books and products for the educational market. She specializes in writing brain teasers, word and math puzzles and seasonal activities. Please contact Ann through her website to learn how you may include her puzzles in your newsletters, magazines or newspapers.

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