Five Fabulous Father's Day Crafts for Seniors

By Anna Hazard

Introduction

Here are a sampling of Father's Day themed crafts that can either be a fun activity to help put a senior father in a celebratory mood or act as a good gift from friends & family that can also double as holiday decorations. Tutorials use inexpensive & easy-to-find materials, many which can be cobbled together using supplies from around the house, and are suitable for those who may have hand dexterity or strength issues.

Craft Tutorials

Father's Day Mason Jar Crafts

• These crafts which are suitable for both Father's Day decorations and gifts use mason jars as their bases in order to create piggy banks, paperweights, or candy, snacks, and other item holders. As the base materials include breakable glass, these particular crafts would be limited to those with enough hand strength & grasping ability to not drop the mason jars. While the etched jar style may look cool & professional, keep in mind that the etching cream has to be handled gingerly with gloves in order to avoid any skin contact.
• Dukes & Duchesses | Mom Envy | Mainly Homemade | One Artsy Mama | Craft Create Cook

Father's Day Rocks

• These crafts use rocks & stones as their bases with their end results varying from paperweights & other decorations to healthy garden-style terrariums. Most tutorials use basic materials such as paint, crayons, markers, glue, and sealant with a few of the more exotic crafts also requiring supplies such as salt, flour, water (to create plaster), acorn caps & googly eyes (for further decoration), or potting soil & indoor plants (succulents & herbs being particularly recommended for the terrarium). Main skills include drawing, painting, or the ability to manipulate semi-small items, so these crafts are suitable for anyone able to use normal or arthritis friendly crafting supplies.
• Crafts by Amanda[1, 2] | Today's Parent | Our Family World | Red Ted Art | Danielle's Place

Father's Day Garlands

• Here are some fun crafts for seniors, kids, and the whole family that will help bring a bit of decorative "pop" to the household for Father's Day.  Most use a form of paper as their base (whether it be construction, photo, colored paper, stickers, or even free paint chips) along with twine or another form of string or ribbon. Cut-out designs can be drawn free-hand or free templates can be downloaded and printed. The main skills involved include cutting, gluing/pasting, folding, punching holes, or otherwise manipulating paper, thus these crafts are suitable for people with a wide range of hand dexterity & strength capabilities.
• Merriment Design | Premeditated Leftovers | Oh Happy Day | Fancy House Road | Karas Party Ideas

Father's Day Wreaths

• For decorations that are a bit more sturdy and long-lasting than paper garlands, try one of these wreath tutorials which can be used either as a fun Father's Day group activity for the family or as a gift that was made in advance. Basic wreath materials include styrofoam or wired wreath forms, cardboard, felt, fabric such as found in old shirts or ties (giving a chance to re-purpose dad's old clothes he doesn't use anymore), ribbons (get the wired variety for added body), twine, paint, and duct tape. Main skills required include cutting, gluing, taping, and wrapping. Positioning of parts on the various wreaths can be a bit fiddly, so make sure to give enough time for those who may not have as much finger of hand dexterity.
• All Created | Kolette Hall | Good Housekeeping | Yesterday on Tuesday | My Suburban Kitchen

Father's Day Coasters

• Here are a sampling of tutorials for a fun craft activity that will also help decorate your Father's Day holiday table (not to mention keeping the moisture ring stains away for the rest of the year). Basic supplies vary depending upon the exact style of coaster being created but they include ceramic tiles, mod podge or another easily applied sealant, felt backing,  jar lids, plaster, decorative cloth or fabric, cork board, Lamiflex, popsicle sticks, and glitter, pennies, sea glass or other decorative touches. Main skills required would be painting, gluing, mixing, and cutting with additional assistance perhaps required when it comes to the Lamiflex coasters that require ironing.
• She Knows |  Naturally Educational | Things to Share & Remember | Live It Love It Make It | Three Sisters