"You Rock, Dad!" - A Heartfelt End-of-Year Craft for Your Girl Scouts

May 14, 2025

Time to read 3 min

As the school year winds down and Father's Day approaches, what better way to celebrate the special men in your Girl Scouts' lives than with a fun, hands-on Father's Day craft at your end-of-year meeting? Inspired by the adorable "You Rock Card" from Doodle & Stitch, this activity is perfect for showing appreciation and creating lasting memories. Plus, it's budget-friendly and easily adaptable for all age levels!

Imagine your troop heading to a local park, not just for play, but for a meaningful treasure hunt! Together, they can select unique rocks that resonate with their personalities and the special qualities of their dads (or another significant adult in their lives). A solid, dependable rock? A sparkly one full of fun? The possibilities are as endless as their imaginations!

Father's Day Craft: You Rock Dad!

This simple yet heartwarming craft requires just a few materials, many of which you might already have on hand. To make it even easier for you, we've included some convenient Amazon links below

List of Materials:

Small Rocks: 2 or more per scout. Let the rock hunt begin!
Googly Eyes: At least 4 per scout. These little peepers bring the rock people to life! You can find a variety pack here: Googly Eyes Variety Pack
Black Markers: For drawing smiles and details. A set with different tips can be handy: Black Marker Set
Cardstock Paper: Choose a sturdy paper in a color that will make the rocks stand out. A multi-pack offers variety: Cardstock Paper Assortment
Hot Glue Gun & Glue Sticks: For securely attaching the googly eyes and rocks. Ensure adult supervision for this step! A mini glue gun is perfect for crafting: Mini Hot Glue Gun Kit
Picture Frames: One per scout to proudly display their artwork. Consider simple wooden frames: 4x6 Picture Frames

How to Make Craft:

STEP #1 - The Great Rock Expedition
Kick off your meeting with an exciting rock hunt! Encourage your scouts to find rocks that remind them of themselves and their dads. Discuss the symbolism – a strong, smooth rock for a dependable dad, a layered rock for a dad with many talents, or even rocks that match their skin tones. This is a fantastic opportunity for them to share stories and connect.

STEP #2 - Creating Rock Personalities
Once back at your meeting place, it's time to bring the rocks to life! Have each scout glue two googly eyes onto each of their chosen rocks. Below the eyes, they can draw a cheerful smile with their black markers, giving each rock its own little personality. They can create a pair of rock people (representing themselves and their dad) or even a whole rock family!

STEP #3 - Preparing the Canvas:

While the glue dries on the rocks, have the scouts prepare their cardstock paper. If you're using frames, ensure the paper is trimmed to the correct size to fit inside (without the glass).

STEP #4 - Rock Solid Attachment:

With adult supervision, use the hot glue gun to carefully attach the rock people to the cardstock paper. Encourage the scouts to position them close enough to look like they belong together but with enough space to draw arms.

STEP #5 - Holding Hands and Hearts:

Now comes the sweet part! Have the girls draw arms on their rock people so that the two closest hands are holding each other. If they've created a rock family, they can draw everyone holding hands in a loving line. They can also draw little feet on the bottom of their rock people. For an extra touch, they can label each family member.

STEP #6 - The "You Rock" Message:

At the top or bottom of their artwork, guide the scouts in writing "You Rock, Dad!" or other message in big, bold letters. For younger scouts, you can write it for them or teach them how to create fun bubble letters. This is a great way to practice their handwriting and artistic skills.

STEP #7 - Framing the Love:

Once the masterpieces are complete, have the scouts carefully place their artwork into the frames (without the glass panel for a more tactile feel). This instantly elevates their craft into a treasured keepsake.

This "You Rock, Dad!" craft is more than just a fun activity; it's an opportunity for your Girl Scouts to express their love and appreciation for the important men in their lives. By incorporating the rock hunt and the symbolic selection of stones, it adds a personal and meaningful touch that any father (or special adult) will cherish.

Remember, if some of your scouts don't have a father figure in their lives, encourage them to create this heartfelt gift for another special adult – a grandparent, uncle, mentor, or family friend. The sentiment behind the craft is what truly matters.

Make your end-of-year meeting extra special with this engaging and meaningful craft. Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful dads out there!