Celebrating Preschool Dads This Father’s Day
Father’s Day is just around the corner, and I can’t let it pass without giving a big shoutout to all the amazing preschool dads out there!
As a preschool teacher, I get to witness something really special—just how much our little learners adore their dads! Whether it's a wide-eyed story about a weekend adventure, a proud announcement that “my daddy can lift me up SO high,” or a sweet crayon drawing of Dad with superhero muscles, the love these kids have for their fathers is so pure and heartwarming.
Why Dads Matter So Much in Early Childhood
In these early years, kids are building the foundation for how they see the world—and the people in it. When a child has a caring, supportive father (or father figure), it shows. Dads bring laughter, comfort, and a sense of security. They cheer on first bike rides, carry tired kiddos from the car, and read the same bedtime story three nights in a row (with voices!).
And while we celebrate all kinds of family structures in our classroom, Father’s Day is a great opportunity to honor those special grown-ups—dads, grandpas, stepdads, uncles—who show up with love every day.
Celebrating in the Classroom
This year, I created a printable Father’s Day card that’s just right for preschoolers. It’s colorful, kid-friendly, and easy for little hands to decorate with drawings, names, or sweet scribbles. Whether you're a teacher looking for a no-fuss Father’s Day activity or a parent wanting to help your child make something thoughtful, this card is ready to go!
🎉 Grab the card here:
👉 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Greeting-Cards-from-Kids-Fathers-Day-Cactus-Card-13699094
In years past, I’ve used the black and white version with some scrape art. It’s so fun and quick. Simply blob some paint at the top of the page and scrape it down (we use old store cards, but squeegees work great too). In my latest versions of the car, I have space for a cute kid handprint. And the part the kids loved the most? Painting rocks for their dads! I gave them different green paints and let them create. They loved adding googly eyes on once they were dry. I heard lots of variations of, “My dad is going to LOVE this!”
A big part of why I started designing my own cards? I wanted to give kids a fun, fill-in-the-blank way to say adorable and heartfelt things to their dads—while still keeping it manageable in a preschool classroom. A lot of the cards out there either skip that personal touch or include 10+ questions, which can take forever with some of my littlest learners. So I created a poem-style card with just four customizable spots. I pull each child one-on-one, explain the idea, and help them complete each sentence. Some kids get it right away, and others take a little longer—either to understand the prompt or to find just the right thing to say to their dad. I LOVE hearing what they come up with, and the parents do too! After I’ve written down what they’ve dictated, I have them sign their names at the bottom, and voila! A heartfelt message that captures the cuteness of this age—all within a single guided reading block. Win-win!
A Simple Moment, A Lasting Memory
I always remind myself—and my students—that it doesn’t take something fancy to make someone feel loved. A handmade card. A rock. A dad-joke-style cactus card with a cute customized poem. It’s really your heart that matters.
So here’s to the men who drive to preschool drop-off, rock bedtime stories, and show up with open arms and big hearts. You are seen, you are appreciated, and you are so loved!
Happy Father’s Day!
With love,
Hillary
Discovery Adventures Preschool
PS In my classroom, I followed this cactus rock tutorial, sans little pots. (They’re cute, I just didn’t get around to buying them, and the rocks still looked great without them.) I bought a bag of smooth rocks from the dollar store, had the kids paint them green and then helped them to add pricks with a paint marker. The kids thought adding the googly eyes was hilarious! https://www.thebestideasforkids.com/pet-cactus-rocks/