Handmade Gifts for Kids

As we’re gearing up to celebrate my little guy’s 4th birthday – seriously, where has the time gone?! – the topic of presents has come up numerous times. Like most children, he loves receiving gifts. I’ve come to realize that to him (and many other children), it is definitely the actual gifting of the present. He loves to receive anything, whether it’s a simple seashell or a more elaborate gift. And when it comes to birthday parties, he also loves bringing a gift for the birthday boy or girl. I know many other parents feel the same when it comes to toys piling up in the house, though, and we’ve received more than one birthday party invitation that specifies a gift is not necessary. Other times, it’s mentioned that if you’d like to bring something, a simple handmade or re-gifted item is appreciated. Handmade items are normally so much closer to the heart and it’s something we like to incorporate into our gifts, even if it’s just a nice homemade card. I’ve put together a list of handmade gifts for kids from across the internet. These items are all simple presents that even small children can make, and are intended to be given as gifts to other children at birthday parties, although they can easily work for any celebration! Many of these would make great Christmas presents, too:) For other ideas on alternatives to big gifts, ALLTerNATIVE Learning has some wonderful suggestions.

• Homemade Playdough – What child doesn’t love play dough? Plus, it’s one of the easiest things to make. Mix up the colours (or textures) and put it in a glass jar. You can make a fun decorative lid to go with it or even add some interesting items like shells or rocks. Tinkerlab has an excellent play dough recipe that we regularly use.
• Recycled Lanterns – We have so much fun creating lanterns using glass jars and tissue paper. These summer lanterns can be used with a regular tea lights or even a battery-operated tea light and are perfect for adorning the table inside or out. You can even add wire and hang them from a tree. Switch up the colours or designs for different seasons if you want.
• Beaded Bracelet or Necklace – We’ve really been into making jewellery lately and I love these wooden bead bracelets that Rhythms of Play has created. These will be a new item on our birthday giving list.
• Friendship Bracelet – Friendship bracelets are always so fun to make and receive and Moms and Crafters has a fun new take on the friendship bracelet, that kids would really enjoy making.
• Sun Catcher – There are many variations of these, but some of my favourite ones that are also do-able for young kids to make are: these nature collage sun catchers from Hands on as We Grow, simple and beautiful sun catchers from Rhythms of Play, these sunflower sun catchers from Let’s Lasso the Moon, mandala sun catchers from Twig and Toadstool, and this beautiful sun catcher box from The Artful Parent.
• A Handmade Painting – K loves to paint, especially with his watercolour paints, and we have gifted many family members with his beautiful artwork. Likewise, he has been gifted some pretty great artwork from friends. Using this watercolour method, you can easily create a painting or even a garland for a present.
• Painted Rocks or Shells – Another fun gift is painted rocks or shells. Gather a couple (or more) of your favourite rocks or shells and paint them, then place them in a nice bag as a special gift for a little one. For rocks, you can use regular acrylic paint, or paint markers like Tinkerlab did here. Seashells are also a wonderful item to paint and these ones from Mama.Papa.Bubba.Blog look beautiful.

• Picture Frame – If you have a photo of the birthday boy or girl with your own child, you can make some simple and fun picture frames together and add in the picture of the two of them. Pink Stripey Socks has some fun mosaic styrofoam frames and How Wee Learn has some beautiful thoughtful frames.
• Simple Seashell Wall Hanging – This gorgeous seashell craft from Crafts on Sea would be appreciated by any small child. I know my little guy would love it!
• Personalized Wall Gift Art – What a fun idea from Craftulate to celebrate the birthday boy or girl, and any kid would have fun making this special present.
• Play Dough Kit – This mermaid play dough kit from Mama.Papa.Bubba is so beautiful. We recently made this kit and its brought hours of fun, so it’s definitely on our list for future birthday party gifts.
• Driftwood Sail Boat – I just love the look of these sail boats using driftwood from Red Ted Art and I’m sure any mini boat lover would appreciate this fun gift. Plus, they look quite easy to make.
• Salt Dough Necklace – These salt dough keepsake necklaces from Red Ted Art would be the perfect gift for any child who loves necklaces and I love the simple, natural feel of them.
• Flower Crown for the Birthday Boy or Girl – What better way to celebrate the child than a gorgeous crow using natural materials? Flower crowns from The Artful Parent are the perfect ones to make (and gift).
• Paper Plate Frisbee – A simple craft that shouldn’t take long to make and would surely by loved are these paper plate frisbees by Crafts for Amanda.
• Summer Twig Star Ornament – For the special child celebrating in summer, Happy Hooligans has some fun summer twig ornaments that would make a great fit.
• Garden Wind Chime – If the child receiving the gift has an outdoor space or patio, garden wind chimes like these from Study at Home Mama would be a fun craft to create and would make for a really fun gift.

For more ideas on kids crafts to make and gift, check out our Kids Crafts and Art Pinterest page.

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