10 Father’s Day Gifts Every Dad Secretly Wishes His Kid Would Give Him
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Every year, we ask Dad what he wants for Father’s Day—and every year, he says, “Nothing, I’m just happy to spend time with you.”
Sweet? Yes.
Helpful? Not exactly.
But what if we told you there’s a secret wishlist most dads are too humble to admit?
We dug into the dad psyche to uncover the gifts he’s actually dreaming about—straight from his heart (and maybe a little from his hobby wishlist).
10 fathers day gift ideas from kids
1. “Dad’s Secret Mission” Adventure Kit
Turn Father’s Day into a secret spy adventure! Kids can create a “Mission Briefing” that sends Dad on a scavenger hunt or task-based mission around the house or neighborhood.
Missions can be silly (e.g., “Rescue the stuffed animal from the backyard jungle”) or heartfelt (e.g., “Find the hidden letter telling you why you’re the best dad ever”).
It’s an interactive and unforgettable bonding experience.
Making Process: Use a small box or envelope to create the “Top Secret” kit. Inside, place mission cards, props (like sunglasses or a magnifying glass), and small clues or riddles. Let kids decorate everything spy-style with stamps, invisible ink (lemon juice), and creative labels.
Price: $5–$15, mostly using household items and printed clues.
2. “Why I Love You, Dad” Time Capsule
Kids create a time capsule filled with current memories, drawings, lists of favorite moments with Dad, predictions for the future, and small keepsakes (like a favorite toy or photo).
The idea is to “lock in” their love for Dad right now—and open it together on a future Father’s Day, making it a lasting emotional experience.
Making Process: Decorate a jar, tin, or shoebox. Fill it with drawings, notes, hand tracings, and labeled treasures. Seal it and label with “Open on Father’s Day 2030” (or a future year).
Price: $0–10, depending on materials used.
3. “Dad’s Dream Day” Coupon Deck
Instead of traditional coupons, kids create a deck of illustrated “dream day” cards—each representing a part of Dad’s perfect day as imagined by the kids.
One card might say “Sleep In Until 10!” while another says “Unlimited Hugs Day” or “We Watch Whatever You Want (Even Golf).” This playful and loving gift lets Dad customize a full day of family fun.
Making Process: Cut cardstock or thick paper into playing card-sized pieces. Have kids decorate each one with colorful drawings and text. Punch a hole and use a binder ring to hold the deck together, or place in a decorated envelope.
Price: $5 or less, using basic craft supplies.
4. “Dad’s Daily Dose” Kindness Jar
This gift is a jar filled with small folded notes written by the kids, each containing a compliment, a memory, or a reason they love their dad. He pulls out one slip each day to get a little heartwarming surprise. It’s perfect for Dads who appreciate small, meaningful moments.
Making Process: Use a mason jar or any clean container. Kids write out 30–50 short notes or drawings on colorful paper. Roll or fold each one and fill the jar. Decorate the jar with a label like “Dad’s Daily Dose of Love.”
Price: $5–$10, using materials like paper, markers, and jars from home.
5. “Build-a-Memory” LEGO Frame
For the LEGO-loving dad, kids can build a custom photo frame using LEGO bricks and insert a printed photo of them together. Add tiny LEGO figures representing the family, and decorate with custom signs like “#1 Dad” or “Family Forever.”
It becomes a playful, creative desk or shelf keepsake.
Making Process: Use LEGO bricks to construct a rectangular frame. Leave a slot to slide in a printed photo. Kids can build a base, walls, and decorate with mini-figures or fun elements. Glue optional for permanent designs.
Price: $10–$20, depending on LEGO pieces available at home.
6. “Our Life in Doodles” Accordion Book
Kids draw a series of doodles or comic-strip moments that summarize their favorite memories with Dad—like when he made pancakes in funny shapes or taught them how to ride a bike. These are connected in a long accordion-style book, making it a storytelling gift full of love and laughter.
Making Process: Tape or glue several sheets of paper end to end to form an accordion fold. Kids draw one memory per panel, add speech bubbles, and decorate each scene. Fold it up and add a decorated cover with a title like “Me & My Dad: A Doodle Story.”
Price: $5 or less, using basic art supplies.
7. “Dad’s Travel Mug Map”
Turn a plain travel mug into a custom masterpiece by decorating it with a kid-drawn “map” of Dad’s world—complete with silly landmarks like “Tickle Town,” “Snack Island,” “Bedtime Battlefields,” and “Hug Mountain.” Every sip will remind him of the fun journey of fatherhood.
Making Process: Use a blank insert travel mug (many come with customizable paper inserts) or a DIY mug-decorating kit. Kids draw a creative map of their imagined world with Dad on the included template or paper, then insert it into the mug sleeve or glue it on with a waterproof seal.
Price: $10–$15, for a customizable mug.
8. “The Dad Awards” Backyard Ceremony
Kids host a surprise “Dad Awards” ceremony complete with hand-made medals or certificates, a red carpet (or beach towel!), and a performance. Award categories might include “Funniest Dance Moves,” “Best Voices for Storytime,” and “Epic Couch Fort Engineer.”
Making Process: Craft medals with cardboard, foil, and yarn. Create certificates on paper. Set up a small stage (like a blanket fort or picnic table). Kids can perform a skit or sing a song before presenting awards.
Price: $0–$10, using household items and creativity.
9. “Dad’s Puzzle Portrait”
Kids create a portrait of Dad, then cut it into large puzzle pieces and place them in an envelope or box. Dad gets to assemble his own portrait made by his kids—perfect for some post-breakfast fun on Father’s Day morning!
Making Process: Kids draw a big picture of Dad on cardstock or cardboard. Cut into puzzle-shaped pieces with scissors. Decorate a box or envelope that says “Put Me Together, Dad!”
Price: $5 or less, using basic supplies.
10. “Voice of Dad” Soundboard Poster
Create a fun interactive poster with buttons (real or fake) representing Dad’s most iconic phrases—“Let’s go!”, “Ask your mom,” “I love you, kiddo.”
Kids can record audio clips of themselves mimicking his voice or make speech bubbles with drawings. It’s part tribute, part comedy, and all heart.
Making Process: On a poster board, draw or paste buttons and illustrations with labels. Use a free voice recorder app to record kids saying Dad’s favorite phrases and include QR codes linking to the audio. For a DIY soundboard, affix real buttons (optional).
Price: $5–$15, depending on whether audio QR codes or real buttons are used.
