Involving cartoons and superheros, this is one gift kids can really get excited about. It's also one that parents can get excited about, helping kids happily work on a slew of important skills, handwriting and storytelling among them. Insert Dad as the hero of the story, and you'll have one very memorable and hilarious Father's Day gift.
What You Need:
- Paper (plain white cardstock is great because it's sturdy, but any plain paper will work fine)
- Small hole punch
- Needle and thread
- Fine-point black marker
What You Do:
- Start by drawing your comic book pages. Use small and large squares to create a comic book template that your kids can fill in with their own creations. Depending on how old your child is, you may want to add more or fewer visual cues, such as text bubbles to remind her to add conversation. Be creative: try varying the size of the squares and leaving some pages blank for full page drawings. You probably want no more than four or five pages, plus two blank pages (one for the front and one for the back covers).
- Punch five evenly spaced holes along the left side of the book with the small hole punch.
- Sew the book together using the needle and a double strand of thread, doubling your needle back between the two strands to secure it. Use a backstitch to sew up and down the spine.
- To tie off the thread, run the needle between the strands, cut the thread, and tie the two strands of thread together in a knot. Trim off the excess. Hand it off to your child.
- Does he need help getting started? Offer this as a writing prompt: Imagine that your dad is a superhero. What super powers would he have? What would his superhero costume look like? What evil forces would he have to battle? Imagine that your dad is driving to work when suddenly one of the bad guys attacks! What happens next? Use pictures and word bubbles to tell the story of your dad's adventure—and don't forget the happy ending!
You can make a stack of these pretty easily, and your kids will fill them up in a flash. Keep a supply in the art box for impromtu cartoons whenever creativity strikes!
Related learning resources
Super Dad Shirt
Activity
Super Dad Shirt
Help your child show Dad how super he is by making this homemade superhero shirt.
2nd grade
Arts & crafts
Activity
Super Dad Coloring Page
Worksheet
Super Dad Coloring Page
Honor Dad this Father's Day by turning him into a veritable superhero! This printable is guaranteed to pack in the giggles (and writing practice, too).
2nd grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Superhero Utility Belt
Activity
Superhero Utility Belt
In this pretend play activity, your child will get to design a custom superhero utility belt and invent a new superhero to go with it!
2nd grade
Arts & crafts
Activity
Superhero Coloring Page #1
Worksheet
Superhero Coloring Page #1
Which superhero is this? Fight crime with a fun coloring page, featuring a brand new superhero who needs a name and a face!
2nd grade
Worksheet
Superhero Coloring Page #6
Worksheet
Superhero Coloring Page #6
There's a new superhero in town! But he still needs a name and some theme colors. Let your child add his own creative touch to this superhero.
2nd grade
Worksheet
Superhero Writing
Worksheet
Superhero Writing
Every kid wishes he could be a superhero. With this creative writing prompt, have him think of a super power and write about how he'd use it.
2nd grade
Worksheet
Draw a Superhero!
Worksheet
Draw a Superhero!
It's a question that's been asked on the playground for centuries: in a fight between a superhero and a lava monster, who wins?
2nd grade
Worksheet
Writing A Letter to Dad
Worksheet
Writing A Letter to Dad
Need a gift for dad this Father's Day? Look no further than this cute lesson in letter-writing!
2nd grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Write a Card to Dad
Worksheet
Write a Card to Dad
Does your little one need a gift for Dad this Father's Day? Look further than this cute lesson in letter-writing!
2nd grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Superhero Coloring Page #4
Worksheet
Superhero Coloring Page #4
This superhero is buzzing with crime-fighting power! Color in his outfit, and come up with a name and a superpower for this flying fury.
2nd grade
Worksheet
Superhero Lightning Bolt
Activity
Superhero Lightning Bolt
Help your kid feel like a superhero with this safe and fun science experiment that creates an electrical charge that's like a mini lightning bolt!
2nd grade
Science
Activity
Color the Superhero Adventure #1
Worksheet
Color the Superhero Adventure #1
If your child can't get enough of superhero movies, this comic adventure coloring page is sure to make his day.
1st grade
Worksheet
See this activity in a set:
10 Father's Day Gifts Kids Can Make Themselves