Okay, let’s be honest here. Like really honest. When our kids make homemade cards for special occasions like birthdays or Father’s Day or Mother’s Day, sometimes the cards…how can I say this politely? Leave a lot to be desired? Not that our kids don’t create beautiful artwork, but sometimes giving them a folded up piece of white paper ends up just being filled with lot of of scribbles and random doodles. Which is totally fine and even crucial for regular art projects, but sometimes when giving a gift, we want to give something a little more polished.
In our house, we have come up with a unique (and fun!) solution to kid’s homemade cards and they are so special that they have become part of the gift itself. Read on to find out about our Finishable Story Cards.
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We call our cards “Finishable” Story Cards because the kids build upon or “finish” a scene that is already started on the card (through stickers or something I have printed out for them) by drawing a scene and then if they want, they can tell a story about what they have drawn as well. That part’s optional, but it does add a whole other level of depth to the cards. (It’s an educational level that I like too!) I think turning a regular handmade card into a “story card” also turns the card into part of the gift, as it’s now a keepsake!
I am so excited to tell you that for Father’s Day this year, I am making this cards available to you and your kids! I have created 8 different Father’s Day themed Finishable Story Cards (From fishing to BBQ to golf) and put them in my store for you to download and print out for your children. And the best part? Each card comes with optional instructions that you can read to your child to help guide them through as they create their story cards.
Here is a sample of the 3 steps involved in a Finishable Story Card. You begin by printing out the instructions and the front and back of the card (I use white cardstock.) Instructions for this lawnmower card shown below might say things like “Draw grass. Draw your Dad pushing the mower. Draw yourself next to your Dad. Add a sun in the sky etc”
Of course, all of these directions are optional, but sometimes directions like these are just what kids need to get their imagination flowing! Adding the directions worked out wonderfully for my 3 year old (his card is below), but the 7 year old just let his imagination run wild! You can see his BBQ card below as well.
The 7 year old’s BBQ card complete with a pitcher of lemonade and a story to boot!
A fishing card that one of my boys made his Dad for Father’s Day when he was 6 years old:
For the sports lover, there is a baseball version:
After the kids complete the picture on the story card, it’s time for the story! Usually my kids dictate the words to me and I record them (which is such a good learning experience for them), but if you had older children, they could write their story themselves.
If my kids are feeling stuck when it comes to writing the story about Daddy, we might brainstorm together by looking at the drawing. I ask questions to get my boys thinking about what they drew and what’s happening in the picture. I make my best effort to write down what they said word for word so that we have a keepsake later of the funny things my kids said.
If you aren’t interested in making a card into a story, simply print out the inside of the card without the story lines! I gave you 3 options to print, plus the instruction sheet if you wanted to make it into a listening activity.
You can see all 8 Father’s Day Finishable Story Cards in our store. From BBQ to Fishing to Tools, there is something for every dad out there!
What about you? Do you have your kids make their own cards for Father’s Day and other holidays? Do you give them any guidelines in the process? Ever come out with a work of art? Would love to hear about it! Just comment below!
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