So, I left it up to the preschooler this year as to what we would do to make sure her Dad knew how very special he is to us on Father’s Day.

We started talking about it two weeks ago – paint a picture, make a card, catch bugs (her fave, although she didn’t want to share them), so many other ideas pouring out of her inventive noggen – but none of them made it past the drawing board. When we’d finally get to the craft store or the forest or wherever our planned project would take place, she was over it and had something else entirely in mind.

When yesterday rolled around and we still had accomplished – well – nothing at all, I finally got the green light from the tiny person.

We’d sent my Dad a cool homemade card that Ken had traced our daughter’s hands onto the back of to make into a big hug, and it occurred to her that we could make daddy something similar. But, she wanted her hands to be “frozen like a creature.”

Awwww, there were tears from that sweetness. My brother and I had made something similar in kindergarten ages ago (see below. Talk about vintage) and traded hands when we left home. It still hangs on my wall. So, her choosing this one without a nudge from me hits me right in the heart.

I thought plates and plaster of paris and headed right for the craft store, where the smallest bag they had could have paved a small sidewalk and cost $40.

We needed an alternative.

That’s when we discovered air-drying clay. No need to fire it, bake it or do anything more than just leave it out on the counter for a while once the creativity was complete. At $9 a block, it wasn’t inexpensive. But, it wasn’t going to break us either, and the tiny person was TOTALLY excited to get her hands in the goo.

I consulted my creative director (our daughter), who proceeded to tell me that a craft for daddy had to involve shells and be something he can carry around with him “wherever he goes so he isn’t lonely.”

I let her approve the container and everything that went into this one…the fussy Martha part of me had to go on vacation for a few hours since this is the tiny person’s gift to her Dad, and she had very specific intentions.

So, I supplied the gear, helped out when requested and otherwise let her go to town.

It turned out very cute.

Here’s what you need:

- 1 block on air-dry modeling clay (we bought ours from PJs at 13th and Cliffe)
- 1 6×8 disposable tinfoil pan (or, for a little more style, a cool glass or metal pan about the same size)
- Special trinkets, beads or other decorations to press into the clay

Directions:

1. Take the modeling clay out of the package and break it into five or six pieces. Kneed each piece until it warms up and is a bit more pliable. Then spread it all out in the pan, building up the places where your child’s hand will go.

2. Press hands firmly into clay. You will more than likely need to press each finger in individually while your child keeps his or her hands there to get the full effect.

3. Take your trinkets and press them firmly into the clay.

4. Let dry for a few days.

A fun, heartfelt keepsake to say “Dad, you rock!”