Father’s Day Photo Idea and Other Meaningful Father’s Day Activities

Create this DIY Father’s Day photo idea and learn about other Father’s Day activities that will make the day even more memorable for dads everywhere!

Father’s Day Photo Idea and Other Activities

Father’s Day in the classroom can be a sweet opportunity to help students express gratitude and love, but let’s be real, it can also feel like another item on a long to-do list. It’s easy to put it on the back burner between field trips, assessments, and wrangling the end of the year activities and chaos. But with a few thoughtful ideas (and a little strategy), you can create a fun and memorable experience that doesn’t eat up your entire day.

Table of Contents

• Father’s Day Photo Idea and Other Activities
• Managing Your Time Wisely
• Celebrating All Father Figures
• Father’s Day Photo Idea: Instructions
  • Step 1: Grab your letters
  • Step 2: Take the Pictures
  • Step 3: Develop the Photos
  • Step 4: Create Frames
• Other Fun Father’s Day Activities
  • 1. All About My Dad Writing Prompt
  • 2. Happy Father’s Day Cards
  • 3. How to Draw Dad Directed Drawing
• Resources for Father’s Day
• Father’s Day Fun Pack
• More FUN End of the Year Ideas

One fun trend that’s made its way into the classroom is photo booth props and creative backdrops. These quick-to-set-up stations allow students to pose with silly glasses, mustaches, and signs like “#1 Dad” or “My Hero,” making a cute keepsake photo for families.

You don’t need anything fancy; a bulletin board, a banner, and a few dollar store props will do the trick. Snap the photos during morning arrival or centers, and boom, you’re done. You can make this process even easier, as you will see below. All you will need are some wooden letters and a playground!

Managing Your Time Wisely

We all know time is tight, especially near the end of the year. To keep things manageable, try integrating Father’s Day activities into your regular routine. For example, use the “All About My Dad” writing prompt during your classroom writing center or swap out your usual art activity with a Father’s Day card-making session. Want to try a photo booth? You could set it up in your calm-down corner and rotate kids through during free choice. With just a little planning, you can celebrate without stress.

Celebrating All Father Figures

It’s also important to make sure your activities are inclusive. Not every child has a dad at home, and that’s okay. Use terms like “someone special,” “my grown-up,” or “my hero” in your prompts and cards so every student can participate with pride. You can even offer choices like “All About My Grandpa,” “Uncle,” “Stepdad,” or “Mom” if she fills that role.

Father’s Day Photo Idea: Instructions

A simple photoshoot can turn out to be one of the most memorable keepsakes! With just a few props and a fun background, your students can create adorable photos to take home. Here’s how to make it happen without adding chaos to your day.

Step 1: Grab your letters

First, you will need to get some large letters. I bought a large wooden D and A at Michael’s or on Amazon. Don’t forget to paint them with a few coats of acrylic paint. Try painting one side a certain color and the other side another color, like blue and yellow. Having two colors lets your students create a pattern if they wish.

Step 2: Take the Pictures

Next, wait for a beautiful day to take your class and children outside for their photos. As you can see, the playground is a great place to take pictures. There are so many options for sites and variations of poses available.

Have the rest of your class play close by while you grab two students at a time to take pictures. Give one student one letter and the other student the other letter. Let them pick their locations and poses. Shoot away! After you shoot each child with one letter, have them switch letters and choose new spots.

If you aren’t a professional photographer, try to take a lot of photos just in case some don’t turn out. Shoot away from the sun to avoid shadows. Make sure there are no other children or unwanted objects in the background.

Step 3: Develop the Photos

Upload your photos at home and pick the three best images from each child to spell the word DAD. Hopefully, you have taken enough to choose the best ones, and you will not need to take any more. Send them off to get developed.

Step 4: Create Frames

Create a frame out of heavy paper board. Cut the board into large pieces (to leave room to write and draw around the photos) and trace the areas where the images will go. Talk with your class about things they could use to decorate the outer frame. They can write a message, say “Happy Father’s Day,” or draw pictures of things their dad loves.

After they are finished decorating the frame, use double-sided tape to tape down the photos on top.

Here is a cute example.

These photos make a great keepsake gift idea for moms and for Mother’s Day. Buy the letters M & O, and you are all set!

Other Fun Father’s Day Activities

Looking for more ways to celebrate dads (and father figures) in the classroom? These simple and meaningful activities are perfect for primary students to express their love and creativity while practicing writing and fine motor skills.

1. All About My Dad Writing Prompt

This fun and often hilarious writing prompt lets students share their favorite facts about their dad, from how tall he is to what he always says. It’s a great snapshot of how kids view their parents and makes a memorable keepsake for families.

2. Happy Father’s Day Cards

Let students design their own Father’s Day cards using templates or plain paper and lots of creativity. Include space for a drawing and a short message or sentence about why they love their dad. Bonus points if they try to write it themselves!

3. How to Draw Dad Directed Drawing

Give students step-by-step instructions to draw their dad (or a special grown-up). Add labels or short sentences underneath, like “My dad wears glasses” or “My dad loves pizza.” It’s a fun art and literacy combo that families will treasure.

Resources for Father’s Day

This FREE Father’s Day parent survey is a fun and heartwarming way for students to share what they “know” about their dad. From favorite colors to silly guesses about age or what they are good at, these responses make for memorable keepsakes parents will cherish. It’s a sweet mix of honesty, humor, and love that’s straight from a child’s perspective.

Click the image below to grab a copy.

Father’s Day Fun Pack

Want to use the activities above to make your Father’s Day celebration come to life? Try the Father’s Day Fun Pack by Proud to be Primary. It includes many crafts, writing activities, games, printables, and more to gift to fathers in June. It’s a fun way to wrap up the year, as well!

More FUN End of the Year Ideas

Mother’s Day Craft Activities For The Classroom

Father’s Day Activities and Crafts

End Of Year Activities

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