Need a gift for your dad and you have no idea where to start? I’ve got you covered! Check out these 10 DIY gifts for dads and the dad figures in your life!
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Father’s Day always sneaks up on me. If I’m being honest, most gift-giving holidays “sneak up on me” because I never seem to know what day it is.
Father’s Day in particular is a tough one, because I have one of those dads who never seems to want anything. I know I’m not alone in this; I’ve heard the same thing from so many other people. (Seriously though. Why is getting gifts for men so hard? Why can’t they be more obvious about what kinds of gifts they like? But I digress…)
Are you hunting for cute DIY gifts for Dad?
If you’re like me and love to gift handmade things, but have no idea where to start, I’ve compiled this list of dad-friendly DIY gift ideas to help you on your way.
Of course, these gifts aren’t just for Dad! I’m sure they’d be a hit with grandpas, uncles, brothers—and maybe even your moms, sisters, aunts, etc.! (After all, there’s nothing inherently gendered about a golf towel or a beer caddy!)
Also, this list has been cultivated with the adult gifter in mind. These aren’t kid-friendly DIYs; these are meant for adult DIYers! So many of the dad gift DIY lists I’ve come across have been filled with fingerprint art and hammers decorated by toddlers, which are adorable of course but not what this list is for!
So, if you need to DIY a gift and you don’t know where to start, let’s dig in!
10 DIY Gifts for Dad
01. Cork Comic Coasters
If your dad is a comic book nerd, he’ll love these custom coasters. Print images to use, or find some old comic books at your local thrift store. Make sure to use his favorite characters for that little bit of extra personalization! (After all, that’s one of the things that make handmade gifts so great!)
02. Simple Golf Towel
Is your dad a golfer? Golf accessories are always a good bet for the dad who likes to spend sunny days on the golf course. This golf towel DIY is simple, and you can customize it to your heart’s content. Embroider his name, or use fabrics that showcase his favorite teams, shows, or colors.
03. Custom Stenciled Apron
For those dads who love to grill, you can’t go wrong with a customized BBQ apron! This tutorial walks you through the process of both sewing the apron and then adding the stenciled art. But hey, you can stencil anything you want! A funny saying, an inside joke, a team logo, etc. Think big!
04. Wooden Beer Caddy
Don’t let the fact that this tutorial includes lumber and saws deter you! If you don’t have access to power tools (or, like me, are a little scared of them!) you can often get pieces of wood cut at the lumber store! For a dad who loves his craft beers, this cute caddy could be the perfect gift. (To make it even better, fill it with some drinks before you gift it!)
05. State String Art
If your dad is a proud Texan (or a proud anything, really!) and loves to show it off, why not try this string art project? You’re not limited to a state, either. You can get ambitious and try sports team logos, objects like beer bottles or tents, or whatever else feels like something your father or father figure would appreciate!
06. DIY Custom Beard Balm
Is your dad a proud beard owner? Does he like to take meticulous care of it? Or perhaps he’s expressed an interest in taking better care of it? You can’t go wrong with beard balm, particularly when you can tailor it to his favorite scents. (You might even want to be extra thoughtful and see what scents his partner likes too, seeing as they’ll be subjected to it as well!) Make sure not to use any ingredients he or his partner is allergic to!
07. Oversized Four in a Row Game
If your dad loves to hang out with friends and family outside, always hosting BBQs and get-togethers, oversized outdoor versions of games are always a hit. This four-in-a-row game would be a great addition to Dad’s next BBQ party, and it’s only one of tons of games that you can make. Why not oversized Jenga? Oversized tick tack toe? Oversized Yahtzee? (I don’t know why there’s something so fun about miniature things AND unnecessarily oversized things!)
08. Custom Spice Rubs
Here’s another great option if your dad loves to cook—customized spice rubs! These are great for both the dad who loves to BBQ and the dad who loves to do more everyday cooking. Find some spice rub recipes online and get mixing! If your dad already makes his own custom blends, why not make him some customized spice jars for those tried and true mixes?
09. Handmade Leather Wallet
The leather wallet is a classic dad gift, but why not put a spin on it by making your own? You can get a kit that includes all the pieces already cut and ready to assemble, or you can make your own entirely from scratch. There are tons of patterns online, and if you have a Cricut (or access to one), you can speed up the process by having the machine cut everything out for you once you have a pattern! (Not all Cricuts can cut leather though!)
10. Recycled Record Bowl
For the music-loving dad, why not turn some old records into these awesome display bowls? You can pick up old records at most thrift stores and flea markets—or seek out records people are throwing away because they’re scratched up and skip or don’t play right. (This is especially important for those dads who would be aghast at the thought of destroying a perfectly playable record!)
Will you try any of these DIY gifts for Dad?
I hope this list has inspired you to tackle a DIY gift for your dad (or whatever father figure you have in your life!) this year! Are there any amazing DIYs for Dad that I missed? If so, let me know in the comments!
As always, I want to see what you make! Show your DIYs off on Instagram with the hashtags #theserialcreative and #diysfordad so I can admire your creations! For more fun craft ideas, check out my gift ideas archive here.
Happy crafting!
