Homemade Gifts for Kids: 16 Low-Cost Project Ideas

Homemade gifts for kids are fun to make and fun to give. Try one of these project ideas for a simple and affordable gift.

Something gooey- Kids love to get messy, so tap into this pleasure by mixing up something ooey and gooey to play with. Need a few ideas? Make a batch of slime, silly putty or play dough for hours of kid fun. Just pack your slimy treat in a small Tupperware container or sandwich bag and your gift is ready to give.

Note: With the prevalence of food allergies in kids, it’s always a good idea to include a copy of the recipe with your gift.

Something artsy- Do you have an artsy kid in your life? If so, surprise them with some homemade art supplies. Here are several great gift ideas by age:

For toddlers and preschoolers

• Mix up a batch of finger paint or bath paint and pair it with several sponges cut into fun shapes.
   
• Dye rice or pasta in several bright colors and package it in a Tupperware container. The rice can be glued onto paper for a fun art project and the pasta can be strung to make jewelry.
   
• Make several sewing cards to encourage hand-eye coordination. Just make holes in a piece of heavy cardboard or a thin piece of wood, and include several shoe laces for the child to “sew” with.

For elementary kids

• Make up a batch of sidewalk chalk or pastels and present them in a bucket.
   
• Create a bunch of homemade scratch-and-sniff stickers

Something Surprising- Kids love to be surprised, so opt for a gift that offers a bit of the unexpected. For example, you might mold several bars of soap with a surprise toy or trinket inside or create a Surprise of the Month Club where you send a handmade treat each month. Just come up with something a bit unexpected, and your gift is sure to be a hit.

Something personal- Kids love to get gifts that are designed just for them, so personalize a shirt, notebook, or tote bag with the child’s name and favorite colors, and you’ll earn rave reviews.

Another fun idea is to create a special box or container for the child to stash all of her treasures in. Decorate with stickers, glitter, buttons or whatever else you can find to make the box a stand-out.