Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
My Dad - My Hero Activity
- StageEarly Years
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
My Dad, My Hero Activity is a free printable Father's Day literacy sheet. Children think about what makes their dad a hero and tell us what his super powers are. All you need is a pencil, and crayons if they want to colour.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Page 2 has notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard and a stretch idea.
What is on the sheet
Children think about their dad as a super hero and share what his super powers are. There is no right or wrong answer, because every dad is different. Children can think about what he is good at, what he does for the family, and the little things that make them laugh or feel safe. It is a short piece of personal writing, made for Father's Day.
Plan your hero before you write
Think of a hero name
Give your dad a hero name before you start. It could be a funny one, like Captain Pancake, or a serious one. A name makes the writing feel playful and gives children a first idea to say aloud.
Pick a super power
Choose something your dad really does well. It could be fixing things, telling jokes, cooking, giving hugs or finding lost shoes. A real power is easier to write about than an invented one.
Find a moment that proves it
Think of one time your dad used this power. Say what happened out loud first. This gives you a real detail to write, which makes a sentence much more interesting.
Say why it matters
Finish with a reason. Try the word because. A sentence like "I feel safe because..." turns a plain statement into something your dad will treasure.
Why write about a hero you know?
Father's Day is celebrated in the UK on the third Sunday in June. Families often mark it with a card, a small gift or time together. Many children are proud of what their dad does for them but do not often say it. A printable like this gives them a reason and some words to start with.
Writing about someone you know well is a friendly way to practise literacy. Children do not have to invent a story. They already have the ideas, so they can focus on choosing good words and building clear sentences. Specific details, such as what dad does and how it feels, make writing stronger than general words like nice or good.
Skills and curriculum link
- Personal writing
- Describing people
- Choosing adjectives
- Sentence building
- Expressing feelings
- Speaking and listening
Writing ideas that help
- Be specificA detail such as "he makes the best toast" tells a reader more than "he is great". Encourage children to name what dad actually does.
- Use describing wordsAdjectives make a sentence come alive. Brave, funny, strong and kind are good starts. Ask children to find a more exact word if they can.
- Give a reasonThe word because links an idea to its reason. It helps children explain their thinking in a full sentence.
- Say it firstTalking before writing helps children organise ideas. If they can say a sentence aloud, they are more likely to write it down.
Key words
- HeroA person who is admired for what they do or the kind of person they are.
- Super powerA special strength or skill. In stories, it is something amazing a hero can do.
- DescribeSay what someone or something is like.
- AdjectiveA word that describes a person, place or thing, such as funny or strong.
- BecauseA word that joins an idea to its reason.
- SentenceA group of words that makes sense on its own. It starts with a capital letter and ends with a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has notes, help and a stretch idea.
- Talk first. Ask your child what their dad is good at and what makes him a hero. Listen without correcting.
- Let your child write or draw their own ideas for his super powers. Spelling does not need to be perfect.
- Read the writing together. Ask, "Can you add one more detail or a reason?" Praise the ideas first.
- Give the finished sheet to dad on Father's Day, or read it aloud to him. The sharing is the best part.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Talk before writing. Ask, "What does your dad do that makes you smile?" Say the answer aloud, then write it as one sentence. Start with a simple pattern such as "My dad can..." and add one detail. Short and true is better than long.
To stretch confident children
Write a short comic strip or story where your dad uses his super power to solve a problem. Use at least three adjectives and the word because in a sentence. Read your story aloud to him, using a hero voice.
Make it a game
Play Hero Guess. Describe someone in the family using only their super powers, and do not say their name. The others guess who it is. Take turns. Clues must be kind and true. Say the best clue as a full sentence.
Talk about it
- What is the best thing your dad does for you?
- If your dad had a cape, what colour would it be and why?
- What is a time your dad helped you feel brave?
- What makes your dad laugh?
- Which word best describes your dad: strong, kind, funny or clever? Can you explain your choice?
- What would you like to say to your dad that you do not say very often?
Take it off the page
Hero mask or badge
Cut a mask or badge from card. Decorate it with your dad's hero name and a picture of his super power. Ask an adult to help with any tricky cutting.
Interview the hero
Ask your dad three questions, such as "What was your favourite thing to do when you were my age?" Write down his answers and read them back to him.
Hero thank you card
Make a card with one thing you are thankful for inside. Add a drawing of your dad doing something heroic. Write a sentence that uses the word because.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit with your child and let them do the talking first. Do not correct spelling on the first go. The aim is to say something true and kind. If your child does not live with their dad, they can write about another special adult.
Teachers
Use this as a short personal writing task in the lead up to Father's Day. It supports the composition strand of National Curriculum English, where pupils plan and say aloud what they are going to write about. Take care to include children who may choose a grandad, carer or other adult.
Home educators
This works well as a gentle writing session for a mixed age group. Younger children can draw and tell, while older ones write full sentences and add adjectives. Display the finished pieces or save them in a keepsake folder.
Where this fits in your child's writing
Before this, children usually practise saying a sentence aloud, writing a capital letter and full stop, and using simple describing words. Talking about people they know is a good first step towards putting ideas on paper.
After this, children can write longer pieces about people and events, such as a short biography, a thank you letter or a character description. They can also begin to organise ideas into paragraphs and choose stronger, more exact words.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- Is My Dad, My Hero Activity free?
Yes. It is a free printable from the Mini Minds Hub by Jaques of London. Print as many copies as you need at home or in school. Black and white printing is fine, and children can add their own colour.
- What age is it for?
It suits primary age children who enjoy writing and drawing about their family. Younger children can talk and draw while an adult scribes. Older children can write full sentences and add detail, so the same sheet works across a range of ages.
- How long does it take?
There is no set time. Some children will finish quickly, while others will want to talk, draw and add detail. Let your child go at their own pace and stop when they are happy with their work.
- What if my child does not have a dad at home?
They can write about a grandad, stepdad, uncle, carer or another special adult. The idea is to celebrate someone who matters to them. Explain this before they start so that every child feels included.
- Are there answers?
No. This is an open writing activity, so there is no right or wrong answer. Page 2 has notes on using the sheet, help for children who find it hard and a stretch idea instead.
- Can we use it at other times of year?
Yes. It is made for Father's Day, but you can use it for a birthday, a thank you or any time your child wants to say something kind. The writing skills are the same whenever you use it.
- My child finds writing hard. What can I do?
Let them say their ideas aloud first, then write one short sentence together. You can scribe while they speak, or let them draw their dad's super power and label it. Keep it positive and short.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.