Make Dad a heartfelt keepsake with this free printable Father’s Day lapbook craft! Easy DIY gift kids can color, cut and paste at home or in the classroom.
This free printable Father’s Day lapbook craft turns a plain manila file folder into an adorable, interactive keepsake all about Dad. Think of it like an “All About Dad” worksheet… but make it absolutely fabulous. Kids color, cut, and paste their way through 7 pages of prompts and designs, and the end result is something Dad will genuinely want to save. Like, actually save. Not “shoved-in-the-junk-drawer” save.
Whether you’re a mom looking for a fun afternoon activity with your littles, or a teacher needing a low-prep Father’s Day project for your classroom, this one is for you. Let’s do it!
What Is a Lapbook?
A lapbook is basically a mini-book made from a file folder that folds open to reveal a collection of flaps, pockets, and mini-books inside. They’ve been a homeschool staple for years, but they work for any kid, any setting.
For this Father’s Day version, you’ll fold a standard manila file folder so it opens like a set of double doors, with two side flaps that open in the middle. The inside gets filled with all the adorable printed pages your child has colored and decorated. The outside flaps get dressed up too. When Dad opens it up? Total. Heart. Melt.
What You’ll Need
- 1 manila file folder – You just need the standard letter-size ones for this project. For even more color, you can use a colored file folder.
- Free printable lapbook templates – Grab them at the end of this post – 7 pages of color, cut, and paste fun!
- Crayons or markers
- Scissors
- Glue stick or liquid school glue – I prefer glue sticks because they dry much quicker and are less messy.
- Heavier weight printer paper or card stock – I printed my lapbook template on white 65 lb. card stock so that the craft was more durable. If you’re going to use printer paper, I recommend a 24 lb. or 28 lb. paper for a nicer finish. It’s just a bit thicker than the standard 20 lb. copy paper.
- Optional but fun: colored pencils, stickers, or glitter glue to add extra pizzazz to the cover
How to Make the Father’s Day Lapbook — Step-by-Step
Step 1: Download and Print the Free Printable Pack
Grab the free 7-page Father’s Day lapbook printable pack using the button below. Print all pages on standard 8.5″ x 11″ white cardstock or printer paper. Cardstock will give you a sturdier finished product, but regular paper works just fine!
Download The Printable!
Click below to download your FREE Father’s Day Lapbook Templates!
Step 2: Fold the File Folder
Here’s where your folder gets a new fold. Open your manila file folder completely flat. Then:
- Fold the left side in toward the center, stopping at the middle crease of the folder.
- Fold the right side in toward the center the same way.
Now you should have a tri-fold folder with two flaps that open like cabinet doors – the opening runs straight down the middle. This is your lapbook base! Set it aside while the kids get to coloring.
Step 3: Color and Cut Out the Printable Pages
Hand over those crayons and let the kids go to town! The printable pack includes fill-in prompts and decorative designs for kids to color and personalize. Once everything is colored, help them cut out each section along the printed lines.
*TIP – Be careful when cutting out the pieces. Some of them, like the accordion-style pieces with Dad’s favorite things, are supposed to be folded, as noted by a dotted line instead of a solid line.
Step 4: Have Kids Fill In the “All About Dad” Prompts
This is the best part. Each printable section has spaces for kids to write (or dictate) their answers to prompts about Dad – things like his favorite food, what makes him the best, his superhero power, and more.
Little kids who aren’t writing yet can dictate their answers and you can write them in – their words are always the most priceless part.
Step 5: Assemble the Inside of the Lapbook
Now it’s time to glue everything down! Open up your folded file folder completely flat and arrange the cut-out pieces on the inside panels. Play with the layout before you commit to gluing – you want it to feel full and fun without being too crowded.
Once you’re happy with the arrangement, glue everything down and let it dry.
*TIP – Some of the pieces are designed to be pockets to hold smaller slips of paper. Be sure to only glue the bottom and outside edges of these, and leave the top and middle open to be able to slide in notes like a pocket.
Step 6: Decorate the Outside Cover Flaps
Don’t forget the outside! The front cover is the first thing Dad will see when he picks it up, so make it special.
Kids can use the cover page from the printable pack, or freestyle decorate with their name, a drawing of Dad, stickers – whatever makes their heart happy.
Step 7: Let It Dry and Present to Dad!
Once the glue is fully dry, fold the lapbook back up and tie it with a ribbon if you’re feeling fancy. This gift is now officially ready for the big reveal. Warning: Dad may get emotional.
Frequently Asked Questions
You really do want a file folder for the structure – it gives the lapbook the sturdiness it needs to hold all those pieces and actually open and close nicely. Manila file folders are inexpensive and available at most dollar stores, so they’re easy to grab!
Plan for about 45 minutes to an hour from start to finish, depending on how thorough your little artist is with their coloring. It can absolutely be done in chunks – color one day, assemble the next.
This lapbook is a great fit for kids ages 3–10. Younger kids (3–5) will need more help with cutting and gluing, but they can absolutely do the coloring and dictate their answers. Kids 6 and up can handle most of it pretty independently with light supervision.
Absolutely! This is a fantastic classroom Father’s Day project for preschool, kindergarten, and early elementary. One tip: pre-fold the file folders ahead of time so kids can jump straight into the fun parts. You may also want to pre-cut some of the smaller pieces for younger students.
More Free Father’s Day Printable Crafts for Kids
If your kids (or students!) are on a Father’s Day crafting roll, here are a few more free printable favorites to round out your celebration:
Best Dad Ever Trophy Craft – This free printable trophy craft is adorable, easy to assemble, and 100% kid-made. It’s the perfect companion to the lapbook for a full Father’s Day gift set.
All About Dad Printable – This is the classic “All About Dad” worksheet that started it all – a single-page fill-in that kids can complete and present to Dad. It’s quick, sweet, and always a winner. Great for last-minute gifting!
Father’s Day Handprint Art Printables – There is nothing more sentimental than a handprint keepsake, and this free printable set makes it SO easy. Just grab some paint, press those little hands down, and you’ve got a gift Dad will keep forever. These are especially great for babies and toddlers!
