The BAZIC Desk

Easy Father's Day Craft for Kids: A Paper Tie Card in 15 Minutes

Need a Father's Day craft your kids can actually finish before Sunday? Make a paper necktie card. It takes about 15 minutes, uses supplies you already have in the craft drawer, and works for kids as young as three with a little help. You fold a card, cut out a tie, let your child decorate it, and glue it on. That's the whole project. Below are the supplies, the steps, and a few ways to change it up. What you'll need 2 sheets of construction paper in different colors (one for the card, one for the tie) BAZIC 12 Colors Oil Pastels and BAZIC 10 Colors Fine Line Washable Markers for decorating A BAZIC Premium Glue Stick Safety scissors Optional: stickers, glitter glue, or a white scrap for a shirt collar Pick colors your dad or grandpa likes. A navy tie on a gray card looks sharp, but a four-year-old's rainbow tie is the real keepsake. How to make it Fold the card. Fold one sheet of construction paper in half. This is the card base. Cut the tie. On the second sheet, draw a long, skinny diamond with a small knot shape at the top, then cut it out. If your child is too young to cut, you cut it and hand it over. Decorate the tie. This is the fun part. Let your kid go wild with stripes, polka dots, zigzags, or your dad's initials. Oil pastels lay down bold, blendable color, and the fine-line markers handle outlines and small details. Glue it down. Rub the glue stick across the back of the tie and press it onto the front of the folded card. Write the message. Open the card and write "Happy Father's Day" inside, or have your child dictate a sentence about why they love their dad. The misspelled ones are the best ones. Turn it into a shirt card Want it to look like a dress shirt? Cut two small triangles and glue them at the top of the card to make a collar, with the tie tucked underneath. Add a row of dot "buttons" down the front with a marker. Same craft, five extra minutes, and it reads as a tiny shirt and tie. Tips for younger kids Pre-cut the tie ahead of time so toddlers can jump straight to decorating and gluing, the two steps they love most. Tape the card to the table so it stays put while they color. And keep washable markers within reach, because Father's Day crafts have a way of ending up on hands, sleeves, and the occasional forehead. Frequently asked questions What age is this craft good for? Three and up. Younger kids handle the decorating and gluing while an adult does the cutting. Kids around six and older can do the whole thing on their own. How long does it take? About 15 minutes, or 20 if you add the shirt collar and buttons. What if we don't have construction paper? Cardstock, printer paper, or even a folded paper bag works. Construction paper holds up best and comes in the most colors, but the craft is forgiving. Can we make it without scissors? Yes. Tear the tie shape by hand for a softer edge, or cut it yourself before you hand it to a small child. Is this a good last-minute Father's Day gift? It's one of the fastest there is. You can start and finish it the morning of and still have time for pancakes. Get the supplies This whole craft runs on three BAZIC basics: BAZIC 12 Colors Oil Pastels for bold, blendable color BAZIC 10 Colors Fine Line Washable Markers for outlines and details, and they wash off hands and clothes BAZIC 1.27 oz Premium Glue Stick, acid-free and non-toxic Grab them from our arts and crafts collection and keep the drawer stocked for the next rainy afternoon. Father's Day deal: use code DAD15 for 15% off your supplies sitewide. Looking for more quick wins? Browse the rest of The BAZIC Desk for kid-friendly crafts, classroom ideas, and back-to-school guides.