Mother's Day & Father's Day Family Day Gift-Making Ideas
In recent years, with the diversification of families, more and more preschools are adopting a “Family Day” instead of limiting celebrations to Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.
How about making gifts with the children to express everyday gratitude and say “thank you” to their beloved family members?
This time, we’re introducing craft ideas for gifts you’ll want to make for Family Day.
We’ve gathered lots of ideas that let you use simple materials and recyclables—such as handprints, footprints, and photos that capture children’s growth, as well as practical items for everyday use.
Please use these as a reference.
Since we’re introducing ideas that make the most of each child’s individuality, we use the term “seisaku” (制作), meaning “craft-making/production,” in the main text.
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[Mother’s Day & Father’s Day] Family Day Gift Craft Ideas (11–20)
Handmade coaster
Perfect for a Family Day gift! Here are some handmade coaster ideas.
Many preschools and kindergartens may set Family Day as a time to express gratitude not only to moms and dads, but also to the caregivers who spend time with children.
This time, let’s make handmade coasters you can use at home! You’ll need permanent markers, rubbing alcohol or 90% ethanol, tiles, a waterproof finishing spray, and decorative materials like glitter.
Be sure to work indoors in a well-ventilated area with plenty of airflow.
Handprint photo frame
This photo frame incorporates handprint stamps into a paper plate decoration to highlight the memories captured in the photo.
By choosing handprints from around the same time as the photo, you can use it as a way to look back and remember how small their hands were then.
The color of the handprint should match the design and decorations of the paper plate, and because it’s a bold accent, place it with the overall balance in mind.
It’s a photo frame you’ll want to make regularly, as if watching over your child’s growth.
Surprise accessory case
Let’s make a slightly surprising gift where a flower pops out when you open a paper cup.
Have the children freely decorate the two paper cups.
Washi tape and stickers are handy to have.
Next, make the flowers to go inside using tissue (flower) paper.
Adjust the tasks according to the children’s ages.
Create a spring with construction paper and attach it to the bottom of the paper cup, and you’re good to go.
When it opens with a pop and the pretty flowers spring out, parents are sure to be delighted.
glasses stand
How about giving a glasses stand as a gift that parents who wear glasses can use? You can easily make one with just a single sheet of origami paper, so focusing on decorations might be a good way to add originality.
By writing a message or attaching ornaments, you can create a charming look filled with affection.
Since origami alone can be quite light, adding something as a weight will make it a more practical glasses stand.
pen holder
How about a practical pen holder as a Family Day gift? Parents surely need stationery for various paperwork.
It would be great to have a place to store all those supplies together.
Use waste materials like paper tubes or milk cartons as the base, and decorate the outside.
Techniques like wet-on-wet painting, spattering, or marbling work well, too.
Add some masking tape for a cute finish, wrap it up, and it’s done! It’s a gift that conveys children’s feelings of “Thank you, as always.”
tile coaster
Let’s customize a portrait illustration and make it into tile coasters! Here are some ideas.
Coasters are small mats for placing drinks, and they come in various materials like wood, plastic, glass, paper, and felt.
This time, we’ll use cork coasters—also available at 100-yen shops—to create handmade tile coasters.
What you’ll need: cork coasters or cork sheets, drawing paper with a portrait illustration, colored construction paper, glass tiles, self-adhesive laminating sheets, and craft glue.
Put your gratitude into it and give it as a gift.
[Mother’s Day & Father’s Day] Family Day Gift-Making Ideas (21–30)
photo frame
A photo frame that can be displayed on your desk or used as an accent in your room’s interior decor.
How about giving a photo frame—the classic gift—as a present? Reusing a milk carton to make a photo frame is another idea! Milk cartons are fairly sturdy, making them a staple material for crafts.
An adult can handle the step of cutting the carton with a utility knife, and let children do the decorating with paints or stickers.
If the photo frame is something a child has put their heart into making, Mom and Dad are sure to be delighted.
