Make Gifts with Your Kids: 8 Fun Ideas You Need to Try

What’s better than a gift from the heart? The answer is a gift from the heart and hands. And there’s no better way to keep little hands busy this year than to make gifts for others.

But there’s more to homemade presents than macaroni necklaces. Here are our favorite ideas for handmade gifts that are as fun to make as they are to receive.

Make Gifts with Your Kids: Top 8

Do you want to make gifts with your kids but don’t know where to begin? Do you shudder at the idea of finding glitter in your carpet six months later? Or perhaps you think that handmade presents are too complicated.

Don’t fret. We have you covered. These crafts are easy and fun for kids of all ages. And they don’t require a lot of expensive equipment, either.

Best of all, these presents are things that people will actually use.

And there’s no glitter involved.

[amazon box=”B077811QHK” template= “horizontal”]

1. No-sew blanket

No-sew fleece blankets are as easy as they are attractive. Fleece is warm, cuddly, and simple to work with. It resists fraying, and certain types, like Polar fleece, are eco-friendly, too!

Whether you want to make gifts for family members or you’re looking for a service project for your youth group, these no-sew fleece blankets are sure to be a hit.

What you’ll need

• Polar fleece fabric
• Scissors

How to make it

You can make a single layer blanket or a double layer blanket.

For a single layer blanket, cut a rectangle of fleece. Make it two to three inches longer and wider than you want the finished blanket to be.

Fringe the edges. You can leave the fringe as is, braid it, or knot it for a decorative touch.

For a double-layer blanket, cut two rectangles. Place one on top of the other, and fringe them both. Tie the fringe together to attach them.

[amazon box=”B07MGSV96J” template= “horizontal”]

2. Flowerpot wind chime

When some people think of wind chimes, they might think high-pitched and annoying. But flowerpot wind chimes are anything but.

The terra cotta clay gives the chimes a pleasant, mellow sound. Clay pots are inexpensive and easy to come by. Best of all, these are super easy.

What you’ll need

• Terra cotta [amazon link=”B07J55Q2M7″ title=”flowerpots”] of different sizes
• [amazon link=”B088G1R4SC” title=”Acrylic craft paints”]
• [amazon link=”B07GH7WGC3″ title=”Paintbrushes”]
• Cord or [amazon link=”B00YWNLYAQ” title=”twine”]
• [amazon link=”B0178E0LFY” title=”Beads”]
• [amazon link=”B07KKGXFF5″ title=”Hand-held drill”] (optional)

How to make it

First, paint your pots. You can use one pot or several pots the same size. You could also use several pots of different sizes that nest one inside the other.

After the pots are dry, cut a length of twine. Now turn the pot upside down.

You will draw the twine through the drainage hole or holes of your pot (or pots). Make a knot at the bottom end large enough that it won’t go through the drainage hole.

If you want to hang your wind chime as is, then that’s fine. But you could also keep going. Here are a few ideas.

First, you could tie a knot in the middle of your string to hold the flower pot while leaving a long string hanging from the bottom.

Now, decorate this “tail” with beads.

You could also decorate the part above the wind chime with beads.

And if you’re feeling very handy, add some extra “music” to your chime by adding a bell, seashells, or a set of spoons.

Check out more ideas at House of Joyful Noise

[amazon box=”B01E7P7JYI” template= “horizontal”]

3. Nail polish coasters

Are you always telling people to use a coaster? Why not give them some unique handmade coasters of their own so they can see how convenient it is?

These marbled coasters from Mum in the Madhouse is an excellent project for creative kids and parents alike. If your older kids like to make gifts, this project will appeal to them.

What you’ll need

• 4 by 4-inch white[amazon link=”B07XRZ7HP6″ title=”ceramic tiles”]
• A few bottles of your favorite colors of [amazon link=”B08BHRM55Q” title=”nail polish”]
• [amazon link=”B06XBBS1WP” title=”Nail polish remover”]
• A [amazon link=”B01HBUHY4Q” title=”disposable container”]
• [amazon link=”B072MQTWGH” title=”Popsicle sticks”]
• Disposable [amazon link=”B07PJ8WKML” title=”gloves”] (optional)
• Newspaper or other scrap paper

How to make it

First, put on your gloves if you don’t want to get nail polish on your fingers. Then fill your container about halfway with lukewarm water.

Next, add a few drops of nail polish. You’ll have to work quickly, as nail polish is heavier than water and will sink after a bit. You can add more than one color.

Now, use a popsicle stick to swirl the nail polish around gently.

Take a tile and hold it on the surface of the water, face down. Lay it flat if you want to cover the whole surface. Or you could dip in a corner or side of the tile.

Now, gently turning the tile paint side up and lay it on scrap paper to dry.

[amazon box=”B07WSJVTR9″ template= “horizontal”]

4. DIY picture holder

We only have so much wall space, am I right? These easy photo holders from Buggy and Buddy will give your loved ones a place to display their favorite photos and pictures.

What you’ll need

• Medium-sized garden rocks
• [amazon link=”B08BRBMPN3″ title=”Paintbrushes”]
• [amazon link=”B07L3P1NZP” title=”Paint primer”]
• [amazon link=”B079WSXFHR” title=”Acrylic paints”]
• [amazon link=”B001144TJC” title=”Paint sealant”]
• [amazon link=”B07D2BD5XT” title=”Beads”]
• [amazon link=”B00PKLBZUI” title=”20-gauge craft wire”] (or whichever gauge will fit through your beads)
• [amazon link=”B07DNRDYXS” title=”Wire snips”]
• [amazon link=”B000A0OW2M” title=”Pliers”]

How to make it

First, gather your stones. These can be ordinary stones from outside. But they should be around three to four inches in diameter, with at least one flat side.

Next, prepare your stones. Wash off any dirt or grit, and let them dry.

Now, coat the stones in primer. It will help the paint to stick. Let the primer dry.

After the primer has dried, decorate the stones using your acrylic paints.

After the acrylic paints dry, spray the stones with a sealant to protect the paint. While that’s drying, choose your beads.

Once the sealant dries, cut about 12 inches of craft wire. The exact length isn’t important, and you can use different lengths depending on your taste. But 12 inches is a good starting point.

Wrap one end once or twice around your rock. Twist the wire together on top of the rock and snip off any sharp edges.

Now string your beads on the wire. As many as you like, in any order. Leave three to four inches of wire at the top.

Finally, use your pliers to make two to three loops at the top. These loops will hold the photos. You may want to use a fat marker or another cylinder to mold your hoops.

5. No citric acid bath bombs

Most people think that bath bombs are, well, the bomb. But you may be worried about working with citric acid, which is what gives bath bombs their fizz.

This bath bomb recipe from Red Ted Art skips the citric acid. In fact, everything you need to make them is probably already in your kitchen cupboards.

This is a hands-on project that kids of all ages will have a blast making!

What you’ll need

• Two cups of [amazon link=”B01MZBRTBF” title=”baking soda”]
• One cup of [amazon link=”B07KMJ2XV7″ title=”cream of tartar”]
• One to two tablespoons of [amazon link=”B07P5V4DCR” title=”cooking oil”]
• [amazon link=”B07VJM115H” title=”Food coloring”] (optional)
• Your favorite [amazon link=”B07ZH2QKD3″ title=”essential oils”] (for scent)
• Water in a spray bottle
• [amazon link=”B07N2MV3GT” title=”Soap molds”] or ice cube trays
• Anything you might like to add in (dried flower petals, for example)

How to make it

First, mix your baking soda, cream of tartar, and cooking oil together.

Next, add your food coloring. Keep adding until you like the color and mix it well.

After that, add a few drops of essential oil for scent.

Now, give the mixture a few sprays of water. It will start to sizzle and pop. Mix it with your hands until the texture is like wet sand.

Press your finger into the mixture. If it leaves an indentation but isn’t too crumbly, then you can start putting the mixture into the molds.

Add a tiny bit more water, though, if it is crumbly.

Now, press it into your molds and press it down hard. Press your add-ins onto the top at the very end.

Let these dry for one or two days.

[amazon box=”B07W3NVPD3″ template= “horizontal”]

6. Homemade playdough

If your kids want to make gifts for other kids, remind them how much fun they used to have with Play-Dough.

This no-cook recipe from The Artful Parent is not only non-toxic, but it’s also edible. Though it probably won’t taste very good.

Most importantly, though, it’s almost as much fun to make as it is to play with. And grown-ups? Playing with playdough is a great way to blow off holiday stress.

What you’ll need

• Two cups flour
• One cup of salt
• Two tablespoons cream of tartar
• Two tablespoons of oil
• Food coloring
• Two cups of boiling water
• [amazon link=”B075X416X8″ title=”Airtight containers”]

How to make it

First, mix the flour, salt, and cream of tartar together in a bowl.

Next, add the oil and food coloring.

Finally, add the boiling water and mix.

It won’t look solid enough at first. But don’t add more flour. Just let it sit for a bit, and it will firm up.

Eventually, it will be firm enough to make into a ball. Now you can play with it.

You can also put it into airtight containers to give as gifts.

Experiment with different colors and combinations of colors. You can even — dare we say it? — add glitter.

7. DIY painted desert

Even if your recipient doesn’t have a green thumb, they can still enjoy this cheerful, no-care terrarium from Parents Magazine. And you and your kids can have a blast putting it together!

What you’ll need

• A decorative [amazon link=”B016RVPHF8″ title=”jar”], [amazon link=”B008NUQGX4″ title=”vase”], or [amazon link=”B008NUQS50″ title=”bowl”]
• Several bags of [amazon link=”B07GMWQ1H5″ title=”colored sand”]
• Aquarium [amazon link=”B01N43KY00″ title=”beads”], small toys, or other trinkets
• An [amazon link=”B010GIQO8W” title=”air plant”]
• Toothpicks

How to make it

This gift is super fun to make. However, the finished product is also vulnerable to damage from bumping, shaking, and spilling.

So, if there’s a chance that your terrariums might come to harm, then consider giving a terrarium kit instead.

That is, give your recipients everything they’ll need to put their terrariums together and a set of these instructions.

Now, on to the fun.

First, layer your colored sand. The different colors will make stripes. Experiment with different thicknesses and color schemes.

Next, take a toothpick and push it down through the layers in different places along the glass. That will make waves in the sand.

Be careful. If you mix the sand up too much, it won’t look very nice.

Now plant one or two air plants in the sand. Add your beads and other decorations until you like the way it looks.

[amazon box=”B07RD8KNKT” template= “horizontal”]

8. Jar of kisses

No holiday gift list would be complete without something handmade and edible. This personal gift keeps giving all year long.

What you’ll need

• [amazon link=”B07SJ5KXL6″ title=”Glass storage jar”] (the bigger, the better)
• [amazon link=”B00RJD3GIE” title=”Candies”], [amazon link=”B008FUEAHG” title=”chocolates”], or other shelf-stable treats
• [amazon link=”B07CY7X9Y3″ title=”Wrapping paper”]
• [amazon link=”B07H3QKN2Z” title=”Scissors”]
• [amazon link=”B0058NN4C0″ title=”Pen”]

How to make it

The idea behind this one is simple: a kiss and a compliment. Your recipient can enjoy the love all at once or spread it out over the entire year.

First, put your candies in the jar to get an idea of how many will fit inside. Now remove a few, as the wrapping paper is going to take up some room, too.

Now, cut out enough rectangles of wrapping paper to wrap each candy individually.

On the inside of each one, write a compliment or favorite memory. For example:

1. You tell the best jokes
2. I love your lasagna
3. Thank you for teaching me how to ride a bike

…and so on. Get other people to write down their favorite things, too.

Now, wrap each candy in a complement and place them in the jar.

It’s simple, but it will remind your loved one how much they mean to everyone all year long.

Make Gifts for Everyone On Your List

Handmade gifts show that you care. They’re also a lot of fun and a great way to use up those snow days. And, if you choose the right one, it will be something your recipient will use and treasure.

What’s the best handmade gift you’ve ever received? We’d love to hear about it!