Preschool Father's Day Theme

Below you can find tons of fun and engaging Father's Day Activities! Pick and choose the activities for your lesson or download a free copy of our Father's Day Preschool Lesson Plan to save you time!

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Father's Day Lesson Planning Ideas

Below, you'll find our Theme Map outlining key topics to explore, suggested learning objectives to guide your lessons, and a Free Activity Plan! Pre-K Printables Club Members can download their Father's Day Planning Guide and all of our printable resources including instruction pages for free inside our Activity Library! Not a member? Learn More Here!

Certainly! Here's a list of suggested preschool learning objectives for a Father's Day Theme, organized by developmental domain:

1. Cognitive Development

• Understanding Roles: Identify and describe the role of a father or male caregiver in a family.
  
• Memory & Recall: Recall and share favorite activities or memories with dad or a special male figure.
  
• Classification: Sort pictures or items by “Things dads use,” “Things kids use,” etc.
  
• Sequencing: Put pictures in order to show a routine or special activity shared with a father figure.
  

2. Language and Literacy Development

• Vocabulary Building: Learn words related to Father’s Day (e.g., dad, grandpa, hug, tie, helper).
  
• Listening Skills: Listen to and respond to Father’s Day books, songs, or stories.
  
• Speaking and Expression: Share stories about dad or a father figure during group time.
  
• Early Writing: Create a card or dictated message to a father figure using simple words or drawings.
  

3. Physical DevelopmentFine Motor:

• Use scissors, glue, and drawing tools to make Father’s Day cards or crafts.
  
• Trace or stamp letters to spell “Dad,” “Papa,” or “Love.”
  

Gross Motor:

• Participate in games or activities that represent things dad might do (e.g., pretend to mow, fix, or build).
  
• Dance to movement songs about dads or families.
  

4. Social and Emotional Development

• Empathy & Appreciation: Recognize and express appreciation for the love and care from fathers or male role models.
  
• Family Awareness: Talk about different kinds of families and the roles people play.
  
• Confidence: Share something special they enjoy doing with their dad or caregiver.
  
• Turn-Taking & Sharing: Participate in cooperative games or partner activities related to the theme.
  

5. Creative Arts

• Art: Create a handprint craft, tie art, or “Dad portrait” using mixed media.
  
• Music & Movement: Sing songs about dads or family (e.g., “I Love My Daddy”).
  
• Dramatic Play: Pretend to be dad at work or home using tools, phones, ties, or hats.
  

Would you like coordinating printable activity ideas or craft templates to go with these objectives?

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Download our Free Father's Day Preschool Sample Lesson Plan

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Preschool Father's Day Activities

Below you will find a sample of some of our favorite activities for this theme. Click on a button below to find specific activities by type.

Pre-K Printables Club members can download all of our printable products, and instruction pages for hands-on activities for FREE using the member links in our shop listings and activity library.
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For creativity this week, consider offering an invitation to create a gift for dad!
Dads are going to enjoy anything their little ones make. I especially enjoyed giving personalized gifts that they can look back on and reminisce about how young their children once were. Some of my favorite gifts to give are handprint crafts, or photo albums that contain childcare photos of their children from the year. Here are few ideas from our readers.

Father's Day Mugs

Dad Mugs shared by Sheena W. of Building Blocks Family Childcare. View Member Instructions

Create a Special Card

The templates included in our Father's Day Activity Pack make it easy for preschoolers to custom make a card for Father's Day. These fun bookmarks from the pack are another great gift!

Included in our Father's Day Activity Pack!

Father's Day Grill Plates

Aren't these grill plates shared by Community Member Jenna L. so adorable? Celebrate Father's Day with these DIY grill plates! A perfect gift idea for little ones to create and show their love for their dads. Personalize each plate with unique designs and watch the dads' hearts melt! View Member Instructions

My Dad Rocks

This Father's Day craft Karen M. shared can be made by kids of all ages. Celebrate the amazing dads in your preschoolers' lives with this heartfelt and fun "My Dad Rocks" activity! Engage little ones in creative crafts and games to show appreciation for their fathers. Perfect for preschool teachers looking to foster love and gratitude. View Member Instructions

Personalized Drink Cozy

Help dad keep his drink cool with a Personalized Drink Cozy shared by Rosann K. ​Create adorable and unique drink cozies with your preschool class! This Personalized Drink Cozy Craft is the perfect way for kids to express their creativity while also keeping their drinks insulated. Easy and fun, this activity is a must-try for preschool teachers! View Member Instructions

Grill Mitt

Community member Debra R, shared this grill mitt gift she made for Father's Day! Get your little ones grilling with this fun and easy craft! Teach them about kitchen safety with their own personalized grill mitt. Perfect for preschoolers to unleash their creativity and imagination. View Member Instructions

Love you to the Moon and Back

This sweet keepsake for father's day was shared by Community Member April D. Create a heartfelt craft for preschoolers that will make them feel loved "to the moon and back". Perfect for preschool teachers looking for an adorable and sentimental activity that celebrates love and connection. 
View Member Instructions

Tape Resist Art

Tape resist canvas art shared by Sheena W. ​of Building Blocks Family Childcare. View Member Instructions

Personalized Sign

Lori C. Provided wood blocks for the children to paint, and then used a stencil to paint the saying on top, so cute! Celebrate Father's Day with a special touch! Our Personalized Father's Day Sign is the perfect gift for preschool teachers to help their little ones show their love and appreciation for their dads. Customize it with names and messages to make it extra special.
View Member Instructions

I love you to pieces frame

Paint colorful puzzle pieces and arrange them around a frame for a fun "I love you to pieces" art activity.
View Member Instructions

Try this!

Dad Collage

Set out collage materials and pictures of children with their dads for creating collages. 
View Member Instructions

Father's Day Card

Invite preschoolers to make a card for their dad for Father's Day.
Provide vocabulary cards with words they may want to copy such as: Dad, Love, You, Happy. 
View Member Instructions

Dress Like Dad

Dress like Dad. Do a little research to find out what professions the Fathers in your program are in. Add dress shirts, Suit Coats, neckties, Helmets, Men's Shoes (Boots, Dress Shoes), Keyboards, Cell Phones, Keyboards, Tool Boxes, Brief Cases, etc. to your space.  Add Photo's of your Daycare Father's to the space.
View Member Instructions

Car Wash

Why not treat dad to a car wash while getting in a bit of pretend play? 
Our Car Wash Dramatic Play set makes setting this invitation up a breeze!

Car Wash Dramatic Play Pack

Barbecue Dramatic Play

Set up a grilling dramatic play invitation! These fun DIY Felt Hamburgers are so easy to make-Check out the Tutorial on Little Family Fun. View Member Instructions

Workshop

Set up a workbench and tools this week. Provide your students opportunities to repair and fix household objects. View Member Instructions

Car Maintenance

Set out some tools, and ride on cars this week. Have your student practice car maintenance.
Don't forget to set up our car wash dramatic play set when it's time to wash them!

Add Father Figures

Add lots of family figures to the block center this week. Be sure to include men of different generations.
Also include male animal figures such as a daddy lion and a cub. 

Shaving Cream Block Tower

Give children foam blocks and shaving cream and see how high they can stack the blocks.
View Member Instructions

Dad Statue

Set up an invitation to create a dad statue out of recycled food cans and bottle caps. You can also leave out a variety of other recycled materials such as milk jugs, toilet paper rolls, newspapers, etc.
Place photos of their Dads in a book, or in the space for inspiration. View Member Instructions

Dad Faces

Leave out pattern blocks and invite children to create a portrait of their dad using the blocks.
View Member Instructions

Dad Blocks

Make a set of dad blocks to add to your building space

Try this!

Language & Literacy Activities

All About My Dad Survey

Have Preschoolers dictate their responses in the All About My Dad Survey (there 2 versions included in the Pre-K Printable Fun Father's Day Activity Pack)

Available in our Shop!

Dad's Name Scavenger Hunt

Write the name of each child's dad on a shape and hide it around the room. Challenge children to find the shape with their dad's name on it. If they are not yet able to sound out or recognize the name by site you can give clues such as "Your dad's name is written on a blue circle" or write the names on a chalkboard and place a picture of the child next to it. View Member Instructions

Father's Day Beginning Sound Scavenger Hunt

Have students look around the room and find items that start with either "F" for Father or "D" for Dad. You can give students baskets to carry with them to gather the items or a clipboard and paper and they can draw the items. Come back together and share what they found. View Member Instructions

Write Letters in Shaving Cream

Put shaving cream in trays and have students practice writing different letters with their fingers.
View Member Instructions

I Love You Daddy Pre-K Book Companion

Our I Love You Daddy Pre-K Book Companion is a great addition to your Father's Day Celebrations!
Read the book I Love You Daddy by Jillian Harker then use the book companion to guide discussion, vocabulary review and complete a book review and writing prompt.
Note: This is a Pre-K Printables Club Member Exclusive. Not a member? Find out more

Pre-K Printable Club Members get this for free in our shop!

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What Dads Can't Do by Douglas Wood
Made For Me by Zack Bush
Froggy's Day With Dad by Jonathon London
A Perfect Father's Day by Eve Bunting
Just Me and My Dad by Mercer Mayer
I Love You Daddy by Jillian Harker

Father's Day 2D Shape Matching*

Practice matching 2D shapes (and build fine motor skills at the same time) with this set of baseball shape clip cards found inside the Father's Day activity pack.

Father's Day Activity Pack

Tie Sorting Activity*

Build color matching skills with this tie sorting activity inside the Father's Day Activity pack.

Father's Day Activity Pack

Compare and Sort Father's Day Objects*

Compare and sort Father's Day objects with the Time with Dad matching activity inside the Father's Day Activity Pack

Father's Day Activity Pack

Measure the Tie

Gather ties of various lengths. Have children use unifix cubes to measure each tie.
View Member Instructions

Father's Day Patterning

Have children complete patterns using items associated with father's and father's day. This set of patterning strips can be found inside our Father Day Activity Pack.

Father's Day Activity Pack

Father's Day Weight Exploration

Take the items used for the Father's Day Mystery Box (See Science and Discovery Section) and have students weigh them. Have them predict which item will weigh more. View Member Instructions

Sort the Family

Use Family Counters and have students sort by different attributes (color, size, parent, child, pet, etc.). Set up a container with the family counters all mixed together and containers to sort each category into. Give students tongs, scoops, etc. to pick up the people and sort them into the correct container. View Member Instructions

Learning Grill

Our Learning Grill number matching game is a great addition to this theme!

Get the Learning Grill in our shop

Create Your Own Shaving Cream Sensory Dough

Combine shaving cream and corn starch for a fun sensory dough. View Member Instructions

Grow a Dad

Use borax to grow a crystal dad! Combine borax and boiling water and then add to a jar. Have children use pipe cleaners to make a personal shape. Attach the pipe cleaner people to a craft stick and string. Put into the borax mixture and observe for 24 hours. Have children predict what is going to happen and make observations during the day. View Member Instructions

Father's Day Mystery Box

Put different dad themed items (ties, hammer, etc.) into boxes. Cut a hole in the top of the box. Have students reach in without looking and feel the object. Then have them guess the item. You could even get your children's dad's involved by asking them to send in an item to use for the activity! View Member Instructions

Shaving Cream Car Wash Sensory Bin

Put shaving cream in a container along with small toy cars. Invite children to drive the cars through the shaving cream. You can even challenge them to make certain shapes or patterns. View Member Instructions

Tie lacing Cards

Print out pictures of ties on card stock. Laminate and then punch holes around the outside of the picture. Add string and have students lace the string in and out of each hole.

Give Dad a Shave 

Print out dad faces and laminate. Add shaving cream to the face and have students use their fingers or other tools like craft sticks, or spatulas to give dad a shave and remove the shaving cream. 
View Member Instructions

Necktie Knots 

Place a variety of knotted neckties in a basket. Have student practice untying and knotting the ties.
View Member Instructions 

Father Says

Instead of Simon Says, consider playing Father Says! Be sure to include instructions that will get children moving their body in a variety of way to exercise all their muscles. 

Father's Day Puzzle

Work on fine motor skills by setting up an invitation to create a Father's Day Puzzle. Have parents bring in pictures of each child with their dad. Laminate the photos, then provide scissors for children to cut into shapes or strips. View Member Instructions

Play "Father May I?"

A twist on the classic game "Mother May I?" Have children play "Father May I?" Children line up next to each other. One player is in front of the line and is the "father" of the game. The "father" calls out a child's name and tells them how they can move. Example: Michael hop 3 times. Then the child called on must say, "Father may I?" before moving. If they do, they get to move forward following the direction. If not, they have to go back to the start. View Member Instructions

Dad Relay Race

Set up a Dress Like Dad Relay Race: Set a pile of men's clothing at one end of the room (be sure to include a variety of clothing such as small men's t-shirts, button up shirts, baseball hats, and clip on ties). 
View Member Instructions

I can move like an Animal Daddy

Call out names of different animals to move like.
For example "Pretend you are a Bear Cub and move like your daddy. View Member Instructions

Who is your person?

Part of keeping children safe and healthy is making sure they are able to state the name of their parents or caregivers. During large group time give each student an opportunity to say their dad's name (first and last) and share something they like to do with their dad. Be ready to provide support for students that may not know their dad's first and last name (have them written on a card for reference). View Member Instructions

Family Structure- Group Discussion

Talk with children about how there are all different types of families. View Member Instructions

Host a Dads and Donuts Party

Invite Dads in for a celebration. Serve donuts and juice. If your program doesn't do meal service, consider creating breakfast to go bags with the kids in your program, have their child include a fun note to include. 
View Member Instructions

Dad Job Fair

Invite dads to come in and talk about their jobs so that children can learn about different careers
View Member Instructions

Dad's Emotions

Print off blank faces and invite students to use play dough to create different emotions on the face.
They can even decorate to look like their own dad (hair, eye color, etc.) View Member Instructions

Dads around the World

Have a discussion about the different ways to say "Dad" in other languages. What do your students call their Dad?
View Member Instructions

June Holidays

Help students learn about the months of the year and the holidays that always happen in June like Father's Day.
View Member Instructions

Fill Dad's Shoes

Filling Dad's Shoes: Provide men's shoes in a variety of styles and sizes for children to try on. Encourage discussion about what type of shoes their dad wears and what it really means to "fill dad's shoes."
View Member Instructions

Before this lesson..

Reach out to parents, to have them provide several photos of Dad that can be used in these activities.

Dad Bulletin Board

Set up your parent board with photos of fathers when they were a baby
next to photos of their children as babies . 

Club Members: can download all of these products for free! Not a member? Find out more!

Father's Day Preschool Activity Pack

$5.00

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Preschool Learning Grill Math Counting Recipe Cards

$4.00

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Car Wash Dramatic Play Pack

$5.00

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I Love You Daddy Pre-K Book Companion

$3.00

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