The idea for Father’s Day came from Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington after hearing a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909. Having been raised by her father after her mother passed away, she wanted to show her father how special he was to her. Since her father was born in June, she decided to hold the first Father’s Day celebration on June 19th, 1910.

In 1926, a National Father’s Day Committee was formed in 1926 and in 1956, Father’s Day was recognized by a Congress in a Joint Resolution. President Richard Nixon established Father’s Day as a National Holiday in 1972, to be celebrated on the third Sunday in June.

Even though many Montessori schools are out for summer recess, it is still a nice touch to have the children create a Father’s Day present before school is out. Many handcrafted Father’s Day gifts become a special memory, to be treasured for years to come. So, instead of a tie or another box of golf tees, use these great ideas to help your children create a lasting gift of love.

Montessori Curriculum Ideas for Father’s Day Activities

Summer time is a great time for barbecuing. The following recipes are easy to make and taste great. Even the youngest children can help mix and then funnel into shaker jars. Tie with a primary colored ribbon or bandana for a festive touch.

Dry Rubs for Barbecued Meats

What You Need:

• Small glass jar with lid
• Funnel
• Mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon
• Ribbon or bandana strips
• Printed directions

What You Do:

• Using the below recipes, combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.
• Funnel into a small glass jar.
• Decorate with ribbon or bandana strips.
• Attach directions: To use, sprinkle heavily on all sides of meat and rub in well with fingers. Let meat stand at room temperature for 2 hours or lightly covered in refrigerator overnight.

Texas Style Dry Rub

• 4 Tbsp. salt
• 1 Tbsp. celery salt
• 2 Tbsp. black pepper
• 2 Tbsp. chili powder
• ½ Tbsp. cayenne pepper
• 3 Tbsp. paprika
• ½ Tbsp. garlic powder
• ½ Tbsp. dried lemon peel
• 1 Tbsp. dry mustard

Dry Spice Rub

• 1/3 c. kosher salt
• 1/3 c. brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp. garlic powder
• 2 Tbsp. paprika
• 1 Tbsp. dried thyme
• 1 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp. freshly ground pepper

Here’s a craft idea that coincides with the shoe polishing techniques learned in the Montessori practical life curriculum. A faux leather pen holder will look great on Dad’s desk or near the phone.

Faux Leather Pen Holder

What You Need:

• Empty soup can
• Masking tape
• Brown shoe polish (good quality)
• Old rags
• ½ sheet of brown felt
• Scissors
• Brown or Earth tone beads
• Hot glue and glue gun
• Acrylic sealer spray

What You Do:

• Wash can inside and out. Dry well.
• Trace a circle from the can onto the brown felt. Cut circle out, leaving about 1/2” around the outside and inside of the traced line. Set aside.
• Tear off pieces of masking tape and cover the can completely, including the bottom and overlapping the rim.
• Apply brown shoe polish all over the masking tape. The more you use, the darker it will get. Wipe of excess with an old rag. Set aside to dry completely.
• Using the felt circle, pipe a line of hot clue onto the traced line. Quickly place the rim of the can onto the glue, adhering the felt ring to the top of the can.
• Hot glue the sides of the felt down to the inside and outside of the can rim.
• Glue beads around the bottom edge of the brown felt on the outside of the can.
• Remove any leftover hot glue strings.
• Spray finished project with acrylic sealer spray.

Part of the cultural Montessori curriculum includes learning about family trees. This easy to construct family tree uses a small tree branch and felt.

Family Tree

What You Need:

• Green felt
• Black fine tip permanent markers
• Scissors
• Yarn
• Small clay pot (available at garden or hardware stores)
• A twig with many branches
• Clay
• Hot glue and glue gun

What You Do:

• Place a lump of clay into the bottom of a small clay pot.
• Insert the twig securely into the clay so it remains upright.
• Cut out leaves from the felt. Each leaf should represent a person in the child’s family and should be large enough to write that person’s name on the leaf. Remember to cut leaves for each of the child’s siblings, parents, grandparents.
• Using the permanent maker, write the name of each person on their leaf. (You might want to include the relative’s relationship to the child – “Grandpa John Smith”). Cut a hole into the end of each leaf.
• Using yarn, tie the leaves to the tree. The child’s generation goes at the top of the tree. Parents are at the second level and grandparents at the bottom.
• Alternative ideas: use photos and paste them on the leaves.

Find more Montessori history, health, nutrition, and advanced practical life activities available in NAMC’s Curriculum Resources.