5 DIY Best Father’s Day Cards That Even Kids Can Make

Last Updated: February 3, 2024

Father’s Day is just around the corner! It’s that one day of the year when we honor and celebrate the amazing dads and father figures in our lives. We know you’re probably racking your brains for the perfect gift for your dad, grandpa, husband, uncle, son, brother, son-in-law, etc. If you’re looking for ideas for Father’s Day messages or quick and simple DIY Father’s Day cards, then you’ve come to the right place. We are bringing you a few good ideas for Father’s Day cards, along with some fun trivia about this beloved holiday!

Father's Day card ideas

A Brief Father’s Day History

Have you ever wondered how Father’s Day came about? When did we start celebrating it? Who started this annual tradition? Before you make a Father’s Day card, let’s find out how this holiday began!

We all owe it to a young woman who one day decided that she wanted to designate a special day to honor her father. Back in May 1909, there was a Mother’s Day sermon at a church in Spokane, Washington. Sonora Smart Dodd was one of the churchgoers on that day. Her mother died upon giving birth to her youngest sibling, and so her father, William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran, took it upon himself to raise her and her five siblings. This gave Sonora the idea for Father’s Day. She wanted to celebrate and honor fathers on her father’s birthday, June 5th. Sonora wrote a petition for the holiday to be recognized in her city. However, it was pushed back to the third Sunday of June. The Mayor of Spokane and the pastor needed more time to organize the festivities and prepare the sermon.

Caps Bold Alphabet Die Set

Caps Bold Alphabet Die Set

The first Father’s Day was officially celebrated in Spokane on June 19, 1910. Before the advent of Father’s Day cards, fathers were given red roses by their daughters during church service. Those who attended also showed their respect for fathers by pinning a rose - red for the living, white for the deceased.  

Father’s Day wasn’t legally recognized right away. The road to Father’s Day becoming a national holiday was not without controversy. According to Wikipedia, President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to make it official after attending and speaking at the 1916 Father’s Day celebration in Spokane. However, afraid that this holiday would become commercialized, Congress rejected his request. A few other U.S. Presidents recognized and supported the celebration, but it was never declared a holiday. That was until 1972 when then President Richard Nixon finally made it a permanent holiday by signing a public law.

Fun Fact! The National Council for the Promotion of Father’s Day was created in 1938 by a group of clothing retailers selling men’s clothes in New York. It aimed to turn Father’s Day into a national and public holiday.

Easy father's day card idea

Thanks, Dad Stamp Set

How to Make a Father's Day Card?

Let’s just put this out there. The best Father’s Day card is always handmade. Of course, you can try and look for decent, pre-made Father’s Day cards out there, but even the most expensive ones won’t compare to a handmade card. 

It might be challenging to come up with funny, witty, or touching Father’s Day messages, much more to actually make DIY Father’s Day cards, but it will all be worth it. Especially when you see the joy and appreciation in their eyes! If it’s your first time making a handmade card, don’t worry, we’ve got you! Here are a few card making supplies that you will need:

  • White or colored cardstock
  • Scissors
  • Glue or glue tape
  • Stamp sets
  • Dye inks
  • Stencils
  • Ink blending tool or brush
  • Pens
  • Watercolors, alcohol markers, or colored pencils

Bold Alphabet Die Set

Bold Alphabet Die Set

Here are some optional supplies. If you have them, great! If you don’t have them, you can always improvise.

  • Washi tapes
  • Dies
  • Embossing folders
  • Embossing powders
  • Ink sprays
  • Heat tool
  • Mixed media inks

Of course, with less than a week left, you might be panicking and worrying about the amount of time and effort it will take to make a Father’s Day card. But, hey, we’re here to help! Here are a few last-minute, easy Father’s Day card ideas that even your kids can make!

Best Dad Stamp Set from Altenew

Best Dad Stamp Set

1. Keep it clean and simple!

When creating the best Father’s Day card, or any handmade card for that matter, it’s essential to keep it clean and simple. Especially if you are pressed for time. That’s why it’s efficient to have all the supplies you’ll need at hand so that you can start creating right away!

Best father's day card idea with alphabet die set

Inline Alpha Die Set

One way to keep it clean and simple is to use Alphabet Stamps and Dies to spell out your message for your dad. You can also create a colored background (pick his favorite color or any neutral color) either by ink blending or using colored cardstock and add a simple stamped “Happy Father’s Day” greeting in the middle. This easy Father’s Day card will take you less than 5 minutes to make!

Easy Father's Day card idea from Altenew

Best Dad Stamp Set

2. Emphasize things he likes!

Does your father like playing video games? Is he a gym rat? Perhaps he’s into DIY and handicrafts? Maybe he loves a good cup of Joe? Whatever it is that he’s into, you can put a smile on his face by simply putting his favorite things or hobbies as the focal point of your card. You can stamp the image all over the background of your card or place it smack in the middle. Your kids can help out by coloring in the stamped images with colored pencils, alcohol-based markers, or watercolors.

Handmade cards for Father's Day

Best Dad Stamp Set

3. You can never go wrong with dad’s tools!

Every dad out there has a tool box. So when something breaks or something doesn’t work, you can always rely on your dad to fix it. That’s why a toolbox is an absolute must-have for them! It could be a small one with just a few handy tools or a big and heavy one that he keeps in the garage or the basement. Either way, you can create an amusing DIY Father’s Day card with stamped and die-cut images of tools such as a hammer, a screwdriver, a measuring tape, or a paintbrush.

4. Simply dad!

Sometimes less is more. If you’re looking for good ideas for a Father’s Day card, there’s no need to look too hard. Wondering about things to write in a Father’s Day card? Simply spell out the word dad! Then add a few embellishments, and you’re good to go! Whatever you call him - daddy, papa, pop, dada, or father - seeing this short and sweet term of endearment on your DIY Father’s Day card will surely make his day.

Simple and easy father's day card inspiration

Caps Bold Alphabet Die Set

Did You Know? It was in the 1500s when the word “dad” was first used. The word “pop,” on the other hand, became a popular term back in the 1830s in America.

Handmade father's day card

Caps Bold Alphabet Die Set

5. Express gratitude!

There’s no better way to show your love and appreciation for that special man in your life than to simply say “thank you.” The sweetest words are the ones that are often left unspoken. This is one of those concise and straightforward things that you can write in a Father’s Day card. While you can easily use alphabet stamps to spell out the words “thank you,” you can also use sentiments from other stamp sets to customize your thank you message.

Thanks, Dad Stamp Set from Altenew

Thanks, Dad Stamp Set

Father's Day card inspiration

Best Dad Stamp Set

What to Write on a Father's Day Card?

Are you wondering what to say in a Father's Day card? Now that you’ve picked the design or theme for your DIY Father’s Day card, the next step is to figure out what to write in it. Your Father’s Day message should be honest and touching, yet witty and somewhat entertaining. You don’t want to bore your dad to death while reading your card, do you? So here are a few one-liners and other things that you can write in a Father’s Day card.

  • You are my hero.
  • You complete me.
  • So proud of you.
  • This one’s for you.
  • You are my inspiration.
  • Every day is Father’s Day.
  • A father’s love is priceless.
  • World’s best dad!

Quick and easy father's day card idea

Cotton Comfort Stamp & Die Bundle

Of course, there are a ton of things that you can write in a Father’s Day card. You can talk about something more personal, a special memory, an inside joke, or something witty and punny. So what are you waiting for? This Father’s Day, give your dad or the father figure in your life a personalized and handmade Father’s Day card that they will never forget!


1 comment


  • Loretta Lynn

    My stepfather was more like a father to me than my biological dad, and he passed away a while ago. My husband tries so hard to be a good dad to his kids, that unfortunately he was estranged from for a while because of his ex-wife. He’s hard to shop for, but I usually am able to find something he likes and needs. I’m looking forward to creating a painting for him of a train he used to work on and also creating a card, for a wonderful husband! I’ll share when done. Thank you for so much inspiration and beautiful paint and supplies!


Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.


In This Article