Fun DIY Projects Dads Can Do with Kids

I think it’s pretty well common knowledge that kids have a desire to mock grown ups. Children, especially at a certain age have the tendency to mock their parents actions. We all know that you love your children, and most of us want to spend as much time as possible with them. Some of you might think finding that special, meaningful time is hard to come by, but really it’s not. Children generally have an interest in what you do, and just by including them in a project, you are making all the difference in their lives. Not only are are getting the extra help, helping your child learn and expand their brain, but you’re creating that special bond every child and Father should have! Here are some easy Do It Yourself Projects you can get your children involved in.

Before I start in on this list, I want to point out that it is important how you approach these projects. How many times have you seen a a child volunteer to do “work”? It’s not appealing to them. Make it appealing them! Find something that they may find interesting. Approach it as something you need help with, or a surprise for mom! Give them a reason to be interested and excited. Besides who better to help you than your own child?

1) Plant Flowers
Every kid loves to play in the dirt and get dirty, and this is the perfect DIY project for them to help you with.

What you’ll need:
– Flowers, of your liking or seeds.
– Shovels. One large shovel for yourself, and a smaller one so little Timmy has something to dig with.
– A particular spot you want to unearth and plant.

Start off by digging the first hole, and show him/her how to plant the first flower. Then dig some starter holes, and let him try it out himself. Eventually he should be able to dig his hole, and plant his own flower.

2) Go Fossil Hunting
They’ll love the excitement of finding “treasures” under the earth, and some of the stuff you find might actually be pretty neat.

What you’ll need:
-A book of certain fossils
-Shovels
-Gloves
-A sack or bucket
-A place to find fossils

Show them what exactly you will be looking for when you go out on your hunt. When you arrive at your destination show them some basic techniques to help them discover their own “treasure”. Give them a little shovel or digging tool, and let them go to town! Sack all your findings to look over when you get home.

3) Paint!
You’ve been meaning to paint that old fence for some time now, here’s the perfect opportunity to get some help, and they’ll love to get involved and get dirty.

What you’ll need:
-Protective eye wear
-Paint
-Paint Brushes
-Plastic

You may want to put down the plastic to protect the surrounding area, who knows how messy this could get. Show your child the proper way to get the right amount of paint on the brush, how to apply it, and help them attempt it a few times. Once you’re comfortable with that, let them go to town. Who cares if it’s not perfect, chances are you’ll have to go over it again, and that’s less area for you to paint!

4)Clean out the attic
This will be an adventure for any young lad. They probably don’t even know that this part of the house exists, and think of all the neat “Treasures” they’re going to find when pull out all your old junk. Play up the role-playing.

What you’ll need:
-Trash bags
-Patience

Let the little one climb in the attic with you and explore this new area they’ve never been in. They’ll love to see what it looks like, and what kind of junk is up there. Find a section of stuff you want to get rid of, and let him help you “trash it”!

5) Wash the Car
This is a good chance to interact with your child, and prepare him for proper automobile maintenance and responsibilities.

What you’ll need:
-A hose
-Soap
-Rags
-Brushes

6) Grill
They’ve seen you do it, and they know how much you enjoy it. They’ll have a genuine interest when you ask them to help you prepare dinner tonight.

What you’ll need:
-Food
-Dishes
-Prongs
-Spices
-Sauces

Let the little one help you prepare the food, including adding those special spices and sauces. Let him help you prepare the grill, and give him a chance to flip a few pieces of meat. After the food is ready, help him safely remove it from the grill into a dish.

7) Destroy something
Any child will be more than happy to be destructive, and what a better way than to give them an outlet to do it in a positive manner?

What you’ll need:
-Something to tear apart (old carpet, old fences, etc.)
-Tools (be smart, don’t give them something dangerous.)
-Man power

Depending on the project, show him the correct, safest way to tear apart the object. After he has a good idea of what you want done, aid him in the process of letting him do it himself.

8) Decorate for the upcoming holiday
All kids love Holidays, and with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas right around the corner, this should be an easy DIY.

What you’ll need:
-Decorations

9) Make a gift for mom
What can you say? Kids love their mothers just as much as you, and they’ll be excited to help you make her smile. Plus, you may even get some brownie points yourself.

-Poster board
-Markers
-Stencils
-A sappy message

Take the big piece of poster board and fold down the middle, making a big card. From here, decided what you want the card to say. Help the little one get the layout straight, and help him spell out the entire message. Then Let him go crazy with the markers and stencils to create a piece of art. After it’s all over, let him present it to Mom.

10) Create a Time Capsule
You can get the whole family involved in this one, and imagine how fun it will be to dig it up years later.

What you’ll need:
-Shoebox
-Plastic
-Markers
-Something special from each person
-Shovel
-Time frame for digging it up

Who ever is participating in this, have them gather something unique, or have them write a note to them self. Take that shoebox and let them decorate it to their liking with some markers. Put in all the memorabilia, wrap it up in plastic, find a spot to bury it, and declare a time frame for when you will unearth this neat little Tim Capsule.