There is nothing better than a handmade craft from your child. They pour their little hearts into everything they do and want more than anything to please us. It melts my heart to see how proud my oldest gets after making a craft. His eyebrows go up and he smiles the biggest, cheesiest grin he can muster. It’s so flippin’ cute. I just can’t. This O’Fish’al Father’s Day Card is no exception.
My son has been asking to paint his feet. Odd request? I thought so too, but as it turns out, he saw this video on Youtube a while back of a family painting their feet and has literally been asking every week for the last 4 months. No lie! Anyways, he brought it up again on Monday and followed it with a “maybe tomorrow”. Oh, burn, that one stung. Why did I keep putting him off? Enough of that, I sat down with him and we searched Pinterest for footprint craft ideas. And came across a few super cute ideas before we settled on a fish.
With Father’s Day right around the corner, I knew from my volunteer days we could pun the term “O’fish’ally” into a fun craft for Dad. So, yesterday morning, we pulled out the paints and got to work painting one very happy, little boy’s feet. He was over the moon excited about the project. He continued painting and stomping on a large piece of craft paper while I finished up the craft.
Here’s how you can make your own O’fish’al Father’s Day Card
SUPPLIES
- blank card (I got a pack at Michael’s that came with envelopes)
- acrylic paints (whatever colour you like)
- foam sponge paintbrushes like these (affiliate link)
- Multiple sized paint brushes
- markers
- googly eye
- plastic cups or containers for water and paint
- newspaper to keep your floor clean
- paper towels, if needed for drying paintbrushes and cleaning up messy little feet
INSTRUCTIONS
- First, set up your crafting area. Cover the floor if you want with a newspaper. Pick your paint colours and fill a few containers with your chosen paint, add a water-filled plastic cup and paper towels.
- Set out the brushes and get your child ready. We dressed accordingly in paint clothes. You know, the ones that are already a lost cause, so if they get stained, it won’t be the end of the world.
- Place the folded card on the ground next to your kid, so it’ll be easy for them to step on once their feet are painted.
- Next, using a foam sponge brush cover your kid’s foot with paint. Make sure they’re covered really well. Help them stand and depending on their age, place their foot on the card and give it a gentle press, to ensure the card gets a decent footprint.
- If that’s all you’re doing (in terms of footprints), I’d suggest cleaning up your kid’s feet now, so they don’t track paint in areas you’d rather they didn’t.
- Let the footprint dry and then using a paintbrush add a little bit of seaweed, by twisting your brush just ever so slightly back and forth to create a bit of a wave pattern. I practiced on scrap paper before I started on the card. Save a bit of white space so you can write in “O’fish’ally the Best Dad Ever”. Writing over the paint does not work very well.
- Now, add some accent colour, we used the blue one the edges to just give everything a pop of colour without going overboard.
- Glue on a googly eye once everything is dry.
- Using a marker write in the phrase “O’fish’ally the best Dad ever”, wherever you left space.
- Add your child’s name and the year to the back, so you’ll have a record if you choose to keep the card as a memento for years to come.
My husband will be so happy with this keepsake. You’d never guess it but he’s a total softie when it comes to his boys. He’s the Dad that keeps every card, craft, scrap he gets.
I’ve tried to clean out his drawers, in the past, and he’s got so many keepsakes, I can’t bring myself to toss anything. The man is a total memory collector and this card will be no different. It’ll get safely tucked away so he can show our sons, years from now, how much this meant to him.
Did you love this O’fish’al Father’s Day Card? If so, you might like these other fun crafts and kid’s activities:
If you get a chance to make this or any other recipe on the blog and want to share. Please feel free to tag @candyjarchronicles or use #candyjarchronicles on Instagram, so I can see your post. I’d love to see what you’re cooking in your kitchen!
Want more? Subscribe to Candy Jar Chronicles to be amongst the first to know about new content, delivered right into your inbox! To subscribe please enter your email in the subscription box located on the right-hand side of this page and press subscribe.