Father's Day Activities for Nursery: Creative Ideas for Early Years Settings

Father's Day offers nursery settings a wonderful chance to help young children celebrate the special people in their lives. Whether it's dads, grandfathers, stepdads, uncles, or any caring adult who takes on that role, the day is all about showing appreciation through thoughtful activities. For early years practitioners looking to plan meaningful celebrations, there's a wealth of simple, age-appropriate ideas that support children's development while creating lasting memories.

This guide explores practical father's day activities for nursery settings, from sensory crafts to role-play opportunities, all designed to work within the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.

Understanding Father's Day in UK Nurseries

In the UK, Father's Day falls on the third Sunday in June each year. For 2025, families will celebrate on 15th June. Unlike Mother's Day, which has roots in the Christian calendar, Father's Day follows a fixed pattern and isn't a public holiday.

The celebration originated in the United States in 1910, when Sonora Smart Dodd wanted to honour her father, a Civil War veteran who raised six children alone. The tradition eventually spread to the UK by the 1970s, where it became a popular occasion for families.

For nursery settings, Father's Day provides a chance to teach children about family diversity, gratitude, and creative expression. The key is making activities inclusive so every child can participate, regardless of their family structure.

Why Father's Day Activities Matter in Early Years Settings

Father's day activities for nursery settings do more than just create cute keepsakes. They support children's development across several areas of learning.

These activities encourage fine motor skills through cutting, gluing, and painting. They build language development as children discuss their favourite memories and describe the special people in their lives. Creative expression flourishes as little ones choose colours, make marks, and add their personal touches to projects.

At Little Mowgli Nursery, we believe in creating activities that reflect each child's unique interests and developmental stage. Our nature-inspired approach means we often incorporate outdoor elements into Father's Day crafts, whether that's collecting leaves for collages or using natural materials in card making.

Father's Day activities also teach emotional literacy. When children create something for someone they care about, they learn to express affection and gratitude. These are skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

Simple Card-Making Ideas for Toddlers and Pre-schoolers

Cards remain one of the most popular father's day activities for nursery groups. They're simple to organise, require minimal materials, and give children a keepsake their families will treasure.

Handprint and Footprint Cards

Handprint cards work beautifully for babies and toddlers. Paint a child's hand with washable paint and press it onto card to create lasting impressions. You can arrange handprints into shapes like flowers or hearts, or simply leave them as they are with a sweet message.

Footprint cards offer another option. Some practitioners create "walking in daddy's footsteps" designs by painting an adult shoe template and placing the child's footprint inside. The contrast in sizes makes these cards particularly touching.

For dinosaur-loving children, handprints can transform into prehistoric creatures with added details. A simple message like "You're roar-some, Dad" adds a playful touch.

Shape and Collage Cards

Pre-schoolers who are developing scissor skills can cut out shapes to create monster cards or robot designs. These activities teach shape recognition while allowing creative freedom.

Using masking tape on card creates clean edges for paint activities. Children can paint over the tape, then peel it away to reveal crisp letters or shapes underneath. This technique works well for creating tie and shirt designs.

Paper plate crafts offer another avenue. Children can paint plates yellow and add details to create "You are my sunshine" cards. Alternatively, they might use different painting tools like sponges, feathers, or fingers to create textured designs.

At settings like Little Mowgli Nursery, where outdoor play features heavily, nature-based cards work well. Children might collect rocks during outdoor time, paint them with patterns or faces, and attach them to cards with "You rock!" messages.

Craft Activities That Support EYFS Development

Father's day activities for nursery settings should align with Early Years Foundation Stage goals. The best crafts support multiple areas of learning while remaining enjoyable for children.

Photo-Based Crafts

Photo cubes make practical gifts that children can help create. Print several photos of the child and their family member, then glue them onto wooden blocks or thick card. Children can decorate the edges with drawings or stickers.

Photo frames offer similar opportunities. Children might paint wooden frames, then add decorative elements like craft rocks, pom poms, or sequins. For a personal touch, they can add a handprint or write a message with help from practitioners.

Picture frames featuring the letters D-A-D create a tradition families can repeat yearly. Children hold painted letters while someone takes their photo, then practitioners place these images in frames. Families can update the photos each year to show how children have grown.

Keepsake Projects

Salt dough provides excellent opportunities for sensory exploration. Mix two cups of flour with one cup of salt and one cup of water to create a malleable dough. Children can press their hands into rolled dough to create handprint keepsakes. After baking at a low temperature, these harden into lasting mementos.

For a variation, use cookie cutters to create shapes in the handprint, perfect for adding photos later. Once cooled, children can paint their creations and add finishing touches.

Fingerprint keyrings work well for slightly older pre-schoolers. Roll salt dough or air-dry clay into shapes, have children add fingerprints, then make a hole for attaching a keyring. These small, practical gifts can travel with dads wherever they go.

Concertina Cards

Teaching children to fold paper into concertinas develops hand strength and coordination. Create two handprints from card, cut them out, then attach them to either end of a folded strip. Write "This much I love you" between the hands for a expandable message of affection.

This activity might challenge younger children, but with practitioner support, even three-year-olds can participate in parts of the process.

Sensory and Messy Play Activities

Father's day activities for nursery settings often work best when they incorporate sensory experiences. Young children learn through touch, exploration, and getting a bit messy.

Paint and Texture Activities

Finger painting creates opportunities for unrestricted creative expression. Set out different coloured paints and let children experiment with making marks, swirls, and patterns on card or paper. These can become wrapping paper, card decorations, or stand-alone artwork.

Tie designs work particularly well with finger paints. Draw or print a tie template, then let children cover it with colourful fingerprints. Add a shirt shape behind the tie for a complete card.

Sponge painting, feather painting, and brush work all develop different motor skills. Offering various tools helps children discover which techniques they prefer and builds their confidence in trying new things.

Recycled Material Crafts

Using recycled materials teaches sustainability while sparking creativity. Cardboard tubes can become decorated holders for small gifts or cards. Bottle caps transform into magnets when children paint designs on them and attach magnetic strips to the back.

Egg cartons, yoghurt pots, and cardboard boxes all have potential as craft materials. A decorated jar filled with activity ideas (like "build with blocks together" or "read stories") makes a gift that encourages quality time between children and their father figures.

Role-Play and Learning Activities

Moving beyond craft, father's day activities for nursery settings can include educational games and dramatic play opportunities.

Exploring Family Roles

Set up role-play areas where children can pretend to be dads at work or home. Provide props like toy phones, briefcases, tools, ties, and hats. Children might act out bedtime routines, cooking meals, or fixing things around the house.

This type of play helps children understand different responsibilities adults have. It also provides chances to discuss diverse family structures and the many ways people show care.

Memory and Discussion Activities

Create "All About My Dad" questionnaires where children answer questions with practitioner help. Queries might include "What makes you laugh together?" "What's your favourite thing to do with him?" or "What's he really good at?"

Writing down their responses preserves authentic childhood perspectives. Years later, families often find these questionnaires hilarious and touching as they reveal how children perceived the world at that age.

Memory jars offer another interactive option. Children dictate favourite memories to practitioners, who write them on colourful paper strips. These go into a decorated jar that families can draw from when choosing activities to do together.

Sensory Guessing Games

Fill boxes with items associated with fathers like tools, ties, or sports equipment. Cut holes in the box tops so children can reach in and feel objects without seeing them. This activity builds descriptive language as children try to identify items through touch alone.

You might ask families to contribute items, making the activity more personal and meaningful for each child.

Inclusive Approaches to Father's Day

One of the most important aspects of father's day activities for nursery settings is ensuring every child can participate meaningfully.

Not all children have fathers actively involved in their lives. Some live with single mothers, same-sex parents, grandparents, or other family arrangements. Some may have experienced loss or family separation.

At Little Mowgli Nursery, we approach Father's Day by celebrating special people rather than focusing exclusively on fathers. This might mean children create cards for grandfathers, uncles, family friends, or even their mothers if that's who provides paternal care.

Practitioners should discuss with families beforehand to understand each child's situation. Some settings change "Happy Father's Day" wording to simply "I love you" or "You're special to me." This subtle shift includes everyone while maintaining the spirit of appreciation.

When discussing activities with children, use language like "a grown-up who cares for you" or "someone special in your family." This framing acknowledges the celebration without making assumptions about family structure.

For children who may find Father's Day difficult, practitioners can offer alternative activities or provide extra emotional support. The goal is celebration, not discomfort.

Planning Father's Day Events

Some nurseries extend father's day activities for nursery settings beyond craft making to include special events where families can participate together.

Breakfast or Tea Sessions

Inviting father figures to breakfast or afternoon tea at the nursery creates opportunities for families to see their child's learning environment. Children might help prepare simple foods or set up the space, developing practical life skills.

During these events, children can show off their Father's Day creations and take families on tours of their favourite play areas. This strengthens the home-nursery connection and helps adults understand how children spend their days.

Outdoor Activities

If your setting has outdoor space, consider hosting games or activities that fathers can do with children. This might include nature scavenger hunts, obstacle courses, or simple ball games.

The outdoor environment at Little Mowgli Nursery, with its focus on nature-based learning, provides perfect opportunities for these shared experiences. Children and adults might work together to build dens, search for minibeasts, or create nature art.

Storytelling Sessions

Reading stories about diverse families helps children see their own experiences reflected. Choose books that show different types of families and father figures, from traditional dads to grandfathers, adoptive fathers, and other caring adults.

Invite family members to come in and read their favourite stories to small groups. This creates special memories while promoting literacy development.

Simple Gift Ideas Children Can Make

Beyond cards, father's day activities for nursery settings might include small gifts that children genuinely help create.

Decorated Items

Pre-schoolers can paint or decorate various items like coasters, bookmarks, or plant pots. Ceramic tiles work well as photo coasters. Children can help apply mod podge (with supervision), place photos, and seal them.

Painted rocks with messages like "Best Dad" or simple designs make paperweights or garden decorations. The act of choosing and painting rocks themselves gives children ownership of the gift.

Activity Coupons

Older pre-schoolers can help create coupon books offering activities like "extra story time," "choose dinner," or "park visit." Practitioners can write the text while children add drawings or decorations.

These gifts emphasise quality time over material items, teaching children that presence and attention matter most.

Group Collaborative Gifts

For nurseries concerned about waste or wanting to reduce materials, consider group projects. A large canvas where all children add handprints or marks creates a piece of art celebrating the whole class. Photograph each child's contribution so families can see their child's specific addition.

Similarly, create a photo collage or memory book for the nursery that families can view. This approach celebrates Father's Day while keeping resources manageable.

Tips for Successful Father's Day Activities

Planning father's day activities for nursery settings works best when you keep a few practical considerations in mind.

Start preparations early to avoid last-minute stress. Discuss plans with your team several weeks ahead so everyone understands their roles. Order materials in advance, especially if you need specific craft supplies.

Consider children's developmental stages when choosing activities. What works for three-year-olds might frustrate younger toddlers or bore older pre-schoolers. Offer options at different complexity levels so each child can participate successfully.

Set up activities to allow for messy play. Protect surfaces, have cleaning supplies ready, and dress children in aprons or old clothing. The best creative work often happens when children can experiment freely without worrying about making mess.

Communicate with families about your plans. Send information home explaining that celebrations include all types of families and special adults. This transparency helps parents understand your inclusive approach.

Take photos of children engaged in Father's Day activities. These images are precious for families and also document children's learning for assessment purposes.

Finally, remember that the process matters more than the product. A card covered in enthusiastic scribbles holds just as much love as a perfectly executed craft. Young children learn through doing, exploring, and expressing themselves. The goal is engagement and joy, not perfection.

Also Read: - Best mother's day nursery activities

Celebrating Special People in Children's Lives

Father's Day in nursery settings ultimately celebrates relationships. Whether children make cards for dads, create crafts for grandfathers, or paint pictures for uncles, the activities teach them to express appreciation and affection.

The best father's day activities for nursery settings combine creativity, learning, and inclusion. They support children's development across language, physical skills, and emotional understanding. They respect diverse family structures while maintaining the spirit of celebration.

At Little Mowgli Nursery, our commitment to creating a nurturing, inclusive environment means approaching special occasions thoughtfully. We want every child to feel their family is valued and represented. Through careful planning and open communication with families, Father's Day becomes a joyful occasion for everyone.

Whether you choose simple handprint cards, elaborate craft projects, or special events, what matters most is creating opportunities for children to think about the people who care for them. The painted rocks, decorated frames, and enthusiastic scribbles all represent something profound: a child learning to express love.

This Father's Day, whatever activities you choose, remember that you're helping young children build skills and understanding that will last far beyond a single celebration. Every card made, every paint stroke applied, and every proud presentation to a family member contributes to children's growing sense of connection, creativity, and care.

Frequently Asked Questions About Father's Day Activities for Nursery

What if a child doesn't have a father figure to celebrate?

The most important thing is ensuring every child can participate. Discuss each child's circumstances with families beforehand and offer alternatives like making cards for mothers, grandparents, or other special adults. Frame activities around "someone who cares for you" rather than specifically fathers. At Little Mowgli Nursery, we celebrate the diversity of families and ensure our approach includes everyone.

How can we make Father's Day cards more inclusive?

Change wording from "Happy Father's Day" to more general phrases like "You're special to me" or simply "I love you." Let children choose who they want to make cards for rather than assuming. Offer various templates and styles so children can select designs that suit their recipient. This flexibility ensures all children can participate meaningfully.

What age groups work best for Father's Day crafts?

Father's day activities for nursery settings can work for all ages with appropriate adaptations. Babies and young toddlers do well with handprint or footprint art where practitioners provide most assistance. Two and three-year-olds can participate in painting and simple collage activities with support. Pre-schoolers aged four and five can handle more complex tasks like cutting, detailed decorating, and following multi-step instructions. Choose activities that match your group's abilities.

Should we invite fathers to nursery for Father's Day?

Special events where family members visit can create lovely memories, but they're not essential. Consider whether your families can attend during nursery hours given work commitments. If hosting an event, schedule it early morning or late afternoon to increase attendance. Always remember that not all children have fathers who can visit, so frame invitations to include any special adults. At settings like Little Mowgli Nursery, which emphasise strong community connections, these events can strengthen relationships between families and staff.

How do we balance celebrating Father's Day with minimising waste?

Choose activities using recycled materials like cardboard tubes, egg cartons, and bottle caps. Natural items like rocks, leaves, and twigs cost nothing and connect children with nature. Consider digital options like photos or videos alongside physical crafts. Group projects rather than individual gifts reduce material use. The focus should be on thoughtfulness and creativity rather than elaborate presents requiring lots of resources.