My boy firmly believes his dad can fix everything! I find it amazing how innocent and wonderful childlike faith is. From a swing that we repair to a dead bug – there is nothing that dad cannot fix (according to little Christof)!
He very much enjoys fixing things with Dad and his little plastic tool set is one of the best gifts he has ever received.
Older children will enjoy this a little more and the younger children may need a little more help. The idea is to enjoy it with your child!
Little children’s attentions are easily diverted so I thought it would be a good idea to include something extra every now and then over the 3 days it took us to complete this project.
Day 1
First, we learned more about about tools by watching this video. We worked on our fine motor skills when we printed out the pictures (available in English and Afrikaans) and Christof coloured them in. After that, we cut out the pictures and set them aside.
Day 2
I downloaded and laminated the activity pages (if you do not have access to a laminator, it works just as well to put the page in a flip file bag). We used clay to build the tools and talked about safety when working with tools: that it can be dangerous and you and those around you can get very hurt if there is an accident. (This concept was even more tangible after Dad cut his finger open with a grinder!)
We have the clay mat activity pages available in English and Afrikaans.
Day 3
This project is suitable for 2 years to older children: my 3-year-old needed a lot of help and it kept us busy for a few days, but older children will be able to complete the project faster and with less help.
Materials:
- Printed page of tools (Available in English and Afrikaans)
- Pattern for the overalls (download here)
- 3 cardboard pages of different colours
- Brown paper bag / Box (make sure that the box is pre-glued OR that the lid is on top so that you can put the treats in it)
- 3 Buttons
- Glue (Glue stick of Pritt, wood glue)
- Colouring supplies
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Eraser
- Wet Wipes
- Daddy’s favourite candy or treats
- Utility knife to cut the box
Method:
- If you have not already done so, print out the pictures of the tools and colour them in. Cut it out and set aside.
- Stick one colour of paper on the bag / box to represent the “shirt”.
- Make sure that the pattern of the overalls (which you will cut out of coloured cardboard) will fit on your bag or box. You can print out the pattern of the overall in the size you need OR carefully trace it and then cut it out.
- Stick the coloured overalls pattern on top of the shirt on your bag or box.
- If you are using a box, Mommy can cut a hole in the top (if your box does not have a lid) where you can put the treats in.
- Print and paste or write the words “Daddy fixes it” on the overalls’ pocket.
- Print and paste or write the words “Happy Father’s Day” on the back.
- First glue the back button with glue of your choice (we used wood glue).
- Wait until the glue of the first button is dry and then glue the front buttons.
- Decorate your box in any way to make it more attractive (we used old scrapbooking materials).
- Finally, the treats are placed into the package.
ALTERNATIVE:
This project can easily be made as a greeting card as well.
We hope you thoroughly enjoy Father’s Day and that Daddy will feel extra special.
Sterna (33) is the mother of restless little Christof (3). She is married to Casper, lives in Roodepoort, has a degree in Marketing Management and works full time.
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