Father's Day Gift Ideas: Clay "Best Dad" Watch Tray

Father's Day gift ideas can be a little daunting for kids. This "Best Dad" Watch Tray is perfect gift">the perfect gift that kids can make for Dad all by themselves. Best of all this homemade gift will keep Dad organized at the end of a long day. He will have somewhere to toss his keys, watch and wallet and know where they are in the morning.

To Make a Clay "Best Dad" Watch Tray

You Will Need:

Air Drying Clay

Acrylic Paint or Hammered Metal Spray Paint

Clear Acrylic Spray Paint

Paring Knife

Clay Working Tools or a Wooden Skewer, Pencil, or toothpick

Start by cutting off a large slab of clay. Carefully roll the clay out on a flat and dry work surface. I like to work on a glass surface or laminate surface because they are smooth and easy to clean.

Have the kids draw out their Watch Tray shape on paper. Try to encourage them to use the letters in "Best Dad" They can write them like connecting bubble letters.

If the kids are too young, then have them make a large tray and then they can paint the letters on once the paint has dried.

Now, Then cut the "Best Dad" out with scissors.

Roll the clay out to about ½ inch thick. Lay the "Best Dad" shaped cut out on top of the clay and trace out the pattern with a toothpick.

If you want you can free hand a pattern onto your clay tray. I recommend making the whole ring and watch tray at least 10 to 12 inches tall and about 4 to 5inches wide. You can go bigger or smaller, depending on what Dad needs to keep organized. You can also make coils of clay to make compartments on the wallet tray.

Use a paring knife or butter knife to cut out your Watch Tray from the clay slab.

Now, work your Watch Tray smoothing down the cut edges and shaping it into a gentle concave curve.

You can make this part of the Watch Tray as curved or as flat as you want. I think the idea of a tray shape is best.

You could even make small feet out of balls of clay to elevate the tray for Dad.

Roll out a coil of clay about ¼ inch thick. Attach it to the bottom of the Watch Tray as a base for the organizer to stand on. Score the coil in an X shaped pattern with your toothpick. Rub some water on the coil with your finger and attach it to the Watch Tray Father's Day craft project.