Fingerprint Fish Picture Frame Craft: A Thoughtful Father’s Day Craft for Kids

It’s hard to beat a handmade Father’s Day gift when it’s both fun to make and meaningful to give. This Fingerprint Fish Picture Frame Father’s Day Craft offers the perfect combination of creativity, personalization, and love. With only a few supplies (and some little fingers,) kids can create an adorable DIY Father’s Day gift that combines their artwork with a favorite memory with Dad.

This easy Father’s Day craft for kids is ideal for toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary children. Adding a sweet photo makes it a keepsake Dad will treasure forever.

Supplies Needed for this Father’s Day Craft

Wooden picture frame
Light blue acrylic paint
Darker blue acrylic paint
Paintbrushes
Washable paints (variety of bright colors for fingerprints)
Black permanent marker
Paper towels or baby wipes

Step 1: Paint the Sky and Water Background

Begin by painting your wooden picture frame to create a cute ocean scene. Use a paintbrush to cover the top third of the frame with light blue acrylic paint to represent the sky. Then, paint the bottom two-thirds with dark blue acrylic paint for the water.

This simple background sets the stage for your colorful fingerprint fish to shine. Let the paint dry completely. This takes about 15–30 minutes depending on the paint.

Tip: This part of the craft supports fine motor skill development and lets little ones practice brush control!

Step 2: Add Fingerprint Fish

Now for the most fun part of this fingerprint art project! Choose a few bright, washable paint colors for your fish.

Dip a clean fingertip into the paint and press it firmly onto the dark blue “water” section of the frame. Each fingerprint will wind up becoming a fish. Repeat using different fingers or colors to make a colorful underwater scene. Try using thumbs, index fingers, or pinkies to vary the sizes.

This fingerprint art project is adorable and captures a tiny, meaningful imprint of your child’s growth.

Step 3: Add Fish Details with a Marker

Once all the fingerprints have dried, it’s time to give those little fish some personality.

Use a black permanent marker to draw a simple outline around each fingerprint. Add a tail, a dot for an eye, and a smile for each fish. Keep the drawings simple and kid-friendly.

To make this Father’s Day craft for kids even more special, draw a fishing pole from the top of the frame down into the water. Add a fishing line and hook dangling near the fingerprint fish. This whimsical touch ties in beautifully with a Father’s Day fishing theme for Dads who enjoy outdoor hobbies.

Bonus idea: Write a pun like “We’re hooked on you, Dad!” in the sky area for extra charm.

Step 4: Let the Craft Dry and Add a Special Photo

Once all the marker and paint details are finished, let the frame dry completely before inserting a photo. Choose a favorite picture of your child with Dad. It could be from a family trip, fishing outing, or just a happy everyday moment.

This thoughtful combination of handmade art and family memory turns the frame into a one-of-a-kind Father’s Day keepsake.

Why This is the Perfect Father’s Day Craft for Kids

The fingerprint fish picture frame is a great craft for little hands and big hearts. It combines creativity, color, and a dash of humor, while preserving a memory in the form of a photo and fingerprint art. Whether your child is a toddler just learning what paint is or a preschooler bursting with ideas, this project can be tailored to their age and ability.

This easy Father’s Day craft encourages:

Creative expression – Kids can make this DIY Father’s Day gift truly their own by helping choose colors or designs or even adding drawings and personal messages. It’s a wonderful way for children to express their love and appreciation through art.
Fine motor skills – From cutting and gluing to coloring and assembling, every step supports the development of small hand muscles and coordination, both of which are essential for writing and everyday tasks.
Color recognition – With plenty of opportunities to choose and name colors, this craft naturally reinforces early learning concepts in a playful, relaxed setting.
Following simple directions – Completing this fingerprint fish craft for kids step-by-step helps build listening skills, attention to detail, and confidence in completing a task independently.
Thoughtful gift-giving – Best of all, it gives kids the joy of creating something special with their own hands. Whether it’s for dad, a grandfather, or a father figure, this is one DIY Father’s Day gift that will be treasured. Plus, kids will feel proud knowing they made it themselves.

Craft, Create, and Capture the Moment

This DIY picture frame Father’s Day Craft is more than a fun craft. It’s a gift made from the heart. With each colorful fingerprint and every hand-drawn fish, your child is saying “I love you” in the most creative way. Whether it’s displayed on Dad’s desk, workbench, or nightstand, this sweet frame will remind him of a special time shared together.

So grab your paints, pick a favorite photo, and let those little fingerprints leave a big impression.