Father’s Day is on the 7th of September 2025; it's time to start thinking of gifts from babies that can be meaningful, practical, and developmentally appropriate—without relying on the usual hand or foot prints. Here are 50 inspired DIY Father's Day gift ideas for babies.
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Shrinky Key Rings
Babies make marks on shrinky paper, which is then shrunk and turned into a keepsake key ring. -
Mini Canvas Fingerprint Art
Fingerprints on tiny canvases displayed on easels—simple, sweet, and display-friendly. -
Photo Frames with Baby Art
Decorate frames with scribbles or stickers and insert a photo of baby with dad. -
Custom Shirts with Photos
Print a collage of baby-dad moments onto a shirt—great for dads who love wearable memories. -
Decorated Cork Coasters
Easy to source (e.g., Kmart), babies can paint or stamp designs onto them. -
Painted Wooden Plaques
Use baby-safe paints to decorate small wooden signs with “Dad” or “Love You.” -
Fridge Magnets with Baby Scribbles
Laminate baby art and attach magnets for a functional keepsake. -
“Dad Rocks” Painted Pebbles
Decorate smooth stones with paint or markers and add a tag that says “Dad Rocks!” -
Custom Desk Nameplate
Use cardboard or wood to create a nameplate with baby scribbles and “Best Dad.” - DIY Bookmark with Baby Art
Laminate baby scribbles or sticker art into a bookmark for dad’s reading time. -
BBQ Spice Mixes or Meat Rubs
Babies help measure and mix ingredients, which are jarred for gifting. -
Painted Calico Aprons
Free-painting on aprons from budget retailers like Temu or Shein. -
Painted Wooden Spoon Set
Babies decorate wooden spoons for dad’s cooking adventures. -
Custom Drink Coasters
Cork coasters from Kmart decorated with baby fingerprints or stamps. -
Decorated Socks or Ties
Use fabric markers or paint to create wearable art. -
Personalized Mugs or Cups
Baby scribbles or stickers on ceramic mugs—sealed for safe use. -
Custom Plates with Baby Art
Use ceramic markers or decals to decorate a plate for dad’s snacks. -
“Dad’s Snack Jar”
Fill a jar with dad’s favorite treats, decorated with baby’s artwork. -
DIY Tool Tags
Create small tags for dad’s tools with baby scribbles and labels like “Dad’s Hammer.” -
“Reasons I Love Dad” Booklet
Educators write down baby’s expressions or gestures, paired with photos. -
“My First Year with Dad” Timeline
A visual timeline with photos and milestones from baby’s first year. -
Custom Puzzle with Baby Art
Turn baby’s drawing into a cardboard puzzle for Dad to assemble. -
“Dad & Me” Memory Jar
Fill with notes, photos, and baby scribbles to capture shared moments. -
Painted Pebbles or Garden Stones
Decorate stones with baby art for Dad’s garden or desk. -
DIY Desk Calendar
Each month features a photo and baby’s mark-making or sticker art. - Fridge Magnet Set
Laminate baby art and attach magnets for display. - Painted Garden Stones
Decorate stones for dad’s garden or workspace. -
Dad’s Little Star” Canvas
Use star-shaped stamps or stickers with baby’s name and a short message like “You’re my hero.” -
“Dad’s Desk Buddy” Clay Figurine
Create a simple clay figure or blob with baby’s fingerprint—fun for display. -
“You Make Me Smile” Photo Wheel
A rotating wheel with baby’s smiling photos and captions like “You tickle me,” “You sing to me.” -
“Dad’s Day Off” Coupon Book
Educators write playful coupons like “One cuddle,” “One giggle,” “One nap together.” -
“My Dad Is…” Poster
Educators fill in prompts like “My dad is strong like…” with baby’s gestures or expressions. -
DIY Car Air Freshener
Decorate felt shapes with baby art and add essential oils—hangable and useful. -
Custom Stubby Holder
Print baby’s photo or art onto a drink holder—great for dads who love a cold beverage. -
“Dad’s Snack Station” Tray
Decorate a small tray and fill with dad’s favorite snacks—babies help with sticker placement. -
Painted Wooden Key Holder
Use a small wooden board with hooks, decorated by baby—functional and sweet. -
“Dad’s Playlist” QR Code Card
Create a card with a QR code linking to a playlist of songs dad and baby enjoy together. -
“Touch & Tell” Texture Card
Glue different textures (felt, foil, cotton) with baby’s handprint—captioned “I feel safe with you.” -
“Dad’s Soundboard” Button Box
Record baby giggles or coos into a simple sound button—dads press to hear their little one. -
“Peekaboo Dad” Flip Book
Create a mini book with flaps revealing baby’s photo, Dad’s photo, and shared moments. -
“Mini Me” Matching Cap Set
Decorate a baby’s cap and a matching one for Dad—handprints, initials, or doodles. -
“Dad’s Tie of Love” Paper Tie
Baby decorates a large paper tie with scribbles and stickers—laminate for keepsake. -
“Sock Buddies” Gift Pack
Decorate a pair of socks for dad and baby—add a tag: “We’re a perfect pair!” -
“Dad’s Little Builder” Block
Decorate a wooden block with baby’s name and a message like “You build my world.” -
“My First Joke for Dad” Card
Educators write a baby-themed joke with baby’s photo—e.g., “Why did I giggle? Because Dad’s funny!” -
“Dad’s Treasure Jar”
Fill a jar with baby’s scribbles, photos, and “I love you” notes—one for each day of the week. -
“Dad’s Hug Meter” Chart
A chart showing how many hugs dad gets per day—baby adds stickers or stamps. - “Dad’s Little Explorer” Map Art
Create a pretend treasure map with baby’s handprint as the “X” marking the spot. Add doodles or stickers to represent places dad and baby “travel” together—like the couch, backyard, or bath time. - “Dad’s Morning Mug Hug” Coaster
Decorate a cork or cardboard coaster with baby’s art and a message like “For your coffee and cuddles.” Add a laminated photo or handprint for durability. - “You’re My Superdad” Cape Card
Make a folded card shaped like a superhero cape. Inside, educators write a short note from baby: “You lift me up every day!” Decorate with stars, lightning bolts, or baby’s scribbles.