10 Gift Ideas that Any Kid Can Make

Having trouble finding something for your kids to do over the holidays? Got a birthday coming up and don’t know what to give? Well, worry no more. Here are ten fun, easy gifts that any kid can make. What’s better than a handmade gift, after all?

1. Cookies in a jar – There are many variations to this easy standard- soup in a jar, chili in a jar, you get the idea. Whatever food the recipient likes best; your child can make a fun, pretty ‘kit’. All it takes is a large mason jar with a lid and a few ingredients. By layering the ingredients, the jar becomes a work of art as well as an easy to assemble meal. Decorate the jar with colorful material over the lid or painted designs along the glass. Make sure that they include a recipe so everyone knows how to recreate the treat later!
2. Bird bath – Do you have a clay pot and saucer lying around? Yes? Well, your child can make a bird bath. Sturdy and easy to work with, clay pots lend themselves to many art projects. Just have the child turn the pot over and glue the saucer on the ‘bottom’ of the pot. Voila, an instant birdbath. You can even leave it unglued if it is heavy enough. That way it is easy to empty out the old water and refill it. Your child can paint or even use markers to decorate the pot. Don’t forget to put some birds along the edges of the saucer too!
3. Wind chimes – There are many ways to make beautiful wind chimes. One of the easiest is with a small clay pot, a rope, and a sea shell. Turn the pot upside down and poke the rope through the drainage hole. Tie a knot large enough that the rope will not pull back through. Then, using a piece of fishing line, tie a sea shell to the knot, making sure it hangs halfway out of the bottom of the pot. Hang the pot up anywhere and listen to the pleasant ring. For more color, have the child paint or draw on the pot and the sea shell.
4. Pen holder – Any tall, thin container can be turned into a pen holder. Old coffee cans, jars, and even drinking glasses can be used. Wrap the outside in colorful fabric or paper or paint it. It is as simple as that. Personalized pen holders are especially great for offices and add a fun splash of color.
5. Paperweight – Almost anything heavy can be used as a paperweight. For a fun kid-friendly project, find several large rocks and clean them off. If they are smooth, then have the kids color them with markers or paint or even sticky eyes. If they are too rough, then they can be wrapped in material, painted with acrylics, or decoupaged. Monster paperweights are a fun gift for little boys to give.
6. Book – If your child is a little older, you might suggest creating their own book. They can paint pictures with captions, or write a fairy tale of their own. Whatever they do, keep it simple by hole-punching the edges of some construction paper and threading it with yarn to hold the book together. Grandparents love such thoughtful gifts and they are easy to mail.
7. Bracelet – Beads are a kid’s best friend. A little stretchy elastic and some lettered beads make for a fun way to give truly personalized gifts to everyone. It takes a little time and effort, but kids can make beautiful, functional bracelets with just a few cents worth of material.
8. Bookmark – For the readers out there, a good bookmark is essential. Bookmarks can be complex or very, very simple. Depending on the age of the child, elaborate designs can make a bookmark elegant, and even simple rectangles can be embellished by glitter and yarn.
9. Postcards – Have someone going away for a while or a family member that lives far away? Have your child make postcards for them to send to friends and family. Some sturdy paper stock and a permanent marker are all you need to prepare it. Simply make three straight lines to the center right and three to the top left of one side of the 4 by 6 cards. On the other side the children can draw their own ‘vacation destinations’ like the pyramids, the Eiffel tower or Disneyland. Wrap up a few, stamp them, and mail them to the thankful traveler.
10. Treasure box – Another easy project is the treasure box. Small shoe boxes, gift boxes or even boxes made from popsicle sticks all work well. Decorate with everything from glitter to macaroni to plastic jewels. It’s a great place for kids to show their creativity and a fun display item for parents to store their paperclips.

Whatever the occasion is, you cannot go wrong with a handmade gift. Have your kids show their creativity without breaking the bank by using these fun, easy project ideas. You might be surprised at how well these gifts turn out, and how appreciative the recipients are.

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