Daddy Craft Day

I am titling this post Daddy Craft Day. But really anyone can have fun doing these. I usually buy craft kits for my husband and son to enjoy together because they come with instructions and I can leave and not bother them more than taking a few pictures! My son loves to create and my husband likes to make concrete things so kits like these are perfect!  This was a gift from a dear friend for my son’s 3rd birthday. I saved it for a weekend daddy project.

Daddy Craft Day

1. Gather your materials. You will need a craft kit. They are using Creativity for Kids Set of 3 Fast Car Race Cars which is not recommended for kids under 3, and honestly, I would not allow my child to do without close supervision until at least 6. There are many small pieces. Also, newspaper to cover your tables, water, and a damp cloth to wipe up spills.
2. Let them dive in. They painted.
3. Then we took him out of the house for a few hours, because waiting for the paint to dry was torture for a 3-year-old.
4. When dry they added the stickers that came with it.
5. They raced them. Well, they are still racing them days later.  My mom came into town and my son very proudly explained that he made these with his dad, NOT his mom. So even if you aren’t the parent or caregiver that normally does creative things, grab a kit and sit down and enjoy the fun that comes from making something with your child.  From my family room, I heard my son say to his dad “Daddy I like doing things with you.”  That is all that needs to be said!

Books About Dad

Daddy’s Song by Leslea Newman was a big hit with my son. The book is a lullaby that a father sings to his daughter before bed. It’s whimsical and at times down right funny. The illustrations by Karen Ritz keep up with the whimsy and make it all seem like a silly dream. Then the end of the book brings us all back to reality with the most important message, that even if all these silly things did happen and turned the little girls world topsy-turvy, that her dad would be there and still love her. Big thumbs up from us for this sweet but not sappy book!

Piglet and Papa by Margaret Wild. I was so happy to discover that this author wrote a daddy book to compliment “Piglet and Mama” which I reviewed and loved for Mother’s Day. Papa pig and piglet are playing and piglet thinks she may have made her daddy very angry and worries about his love for her. The other farm animals help by reassuring piglet. And finally, she finds Papa pig and the other animals were right. He does love her more than anyone in the whole world.

A Father Like That by Charlotte Zolotow touched my heart. I have always been lucky to have a dad who was involved and present in my life. But this book is the opposite. A little boy is telling his mom about what he wants in a dad because he doesn’t have one. The book covers so many things dads do or don’t do. And while the dream dad isn’t perfect he is fair, loving and kind. I was tearing up as the book neared the end because I was wondering how the mom who was hearing all of this was going to react. Throughout the list of things, the dad would do things for his mom too. Mostly her being able to take a break and rest. Which made me feel sad that a little boy would have to worry about his mom. But I am sure that is all too common. The end pushed me over the edge, and my son who was drifting off to sleep while I was reading popped up and wiped my tears which made me cry harder because he was taking care of me. It ends with his mama saying that even though he may never have a father like that, that one day he can be a father like that. Great book for all families.

For more quick tips on helping your child learn to read check out my book; Raising A Rock-Star Reader. It is packed with fun ideas for families, book lists, and advice for parents.