Father’s Day Craft for Kids – Hooked On You Fishing Card

If you’re looking for a Father’s Day craft for kids that’s actually going to make Dad smile – this is the one.

A handprint fish on a little fishing scene, with a real twig, twine, and a feather as the lure. It looks brilliant. Add a cute message: “We’re hooked on you, Dad” or “You’re our greatest catch” and dad will love it!

Kids of all ages can make this – little ones need a hand with the cutting and assembly, but the painting and handprint part is all them. It’s the kind of thing Dad will actually keep.

What You’ll Need

• Coloured card in two colours (one for the sky, one for the water – green and blue work great, or yellow and blue)
• White card or thick paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Yellow paint (or any colour you like)
• A paintbrush
• Black marker
• A small twig from the garden
• Twine or string
• A feather for the lure (grab one from the garden or a craft shop)

How to Make Your Father’s Day Fishing Card

Step 1: Make the Card Background
Take your base card and cut a wavy strip from your second colour to create the water line. Glue it across the lower half of the card so it looks like a lake or ocean scene. Simple and effective.

Step 2: Make the Handprint Fish
Paint your child’s hand in yellow (or their chosen colour) and press it firmly onto the white card. Lift straight up and leave to dry. Once dry, draw on a little eye and a smile with a black marker. Cut around the handprint to create your fish shape – the fingers become the tail and fins.

Step 3: Put Together the Fishing Rod
Tie a length of twine to the end of your twig. Tie or tape the feather to the other end of the twine as the lure. That’s your fishing rod done.

Step 4: Assemble the Card
Lay the twig fishing rod diagonally across the card and glue or tape it in place. Arrange the twine so it curves down toward the water. Glue the handprint fish near the end of the line, as if it’s just been caught.

Write your message on the card – either across the top or in the sky area. Our favourites:
“You’re our greatest catch”
“We’re hooked on you, Dad”
Get the kids to sign it and it’s done.

Tips for the Best Results

• Do the handprint first, before kids lose interest. Everything else can be assembled around it.
• Let the handprint dry completely before cutting it out – wet paint tears easily.
• Make two cards – one for Dad, one for Grandad. Keeps everyone happy and it only takes a bit of extra time.
• Pop a craft apron on for the painting step. Yellow paint and small hands is a combination that travels.
• Grab your twig from the garden rather than buying anything – a slightly bendy one looks more like a real fishing rod.

Why Kids Love Making This

There’s something about handprint crafts that kids just love – seeing their own hand turned into something is endlessly satisfying. And this one has plenty going on (painting, assembling, the real twig and feather) to keep them engaged right through to the end.

It’s also one of those Father’s Day crafts for kids that Dad actually keeps on display, at home or in the office.

Looking for more kids’ craft ideas? Take a look at our Kids Crafts & Activities posts for more easy projects to do with tamariki.

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