20+ Gifts Ideas Kids Can Make for the Holidays

Updated with some fun new ideas!

As I am looking at my gift list and talking to my family about homemade gift ideas, they remind me that they need help filling in their own lists. No matter how old your kid is (4 and up?), I hope you find some great ideas in the list below. My own kids came up with and executed their own home-made birthday gifts this year, but for some reason Christmas stumps them.

So, as we are searching Pinterest for just the right things for them to make grandparents, siblings, cousins, dad and I, this new list was born. In no particular order these are the things we think people would like and that they can do with minimum help.

1. Bookmarks

There are lots different ideas on what makes a great bookmark. But this year I added some ideas of my own.

Plastic Canvas – http://blog.darice.com/plastic-canvas-bookmark-tutorial/

Dried Flowers – https://jilliansworld.net/2019/10/08/diy-dried-flower-bookmarks

Quilted – https://sillygeesepublishing.com/hand-or-machine-sewn-bookmarks-for-little-makers-perfect-for-christmas-gifts/

Ribbons – https://sillygeesepublishing.com/diy-ribbon-bookmarks-kid-friendly-craft-gift-idea/

2. Containers

Upcycle Tin Cans into all sorts of containers, here are a few examples:

Owl Pencil Holders: https://iheartcraftythings.com/tin-can-owl-craft.html

Pencil and art Supply holders – http://www.ourfamilyworld.com/seasonal/back-to-school-seasonal/back-to-school-craft-personalized-pencil-art-supplies-cup/

So many uses for decorating tin cans. You can turn this into a planter by taking a nail and poking a hole in the bottom – http://happyhappynester.com/easy-tin-can-project/

4. Frames

Mosiac – http://www.kenarry.com/easy-crafts-fun-to-make-mosaic-frame/

Popsicle Sticks- https://afewshortcuts.com/diy-popsicle-stick-picture-frame-kids-craft/?2275632667

Twigs – https://theseamanmom.com/diy-rustic-photo-frame-made-with-twigs/

5. Heating Pad

https://www.aliceandlois.com/diy-homemade-heating-pad-handmade-gift-series/

https://loveofhome.net/get-crafty-diy-reusable-hand-warmers/

6. Sun Catcher/Wind Chimes

https://stayathomelife.me/2013/04/21/diy-sun-catcherwind-chime/

http://blog.consumercrafts.com/jewelry-main/diy-wind-chimes-for-kids/

7. Planters

How about repurposing those summer craft ideas as Christmas gifts? Here is a Macrame Plant holder. – https://sillygeesepublishing.com/summer-craft-and-skills-building-activity-macrame/

https://www.redtedart.com/unicorn-planter-diy/

https://www.coralandco.com/blog/2018/05/diy-popsicle-stick-planter-tutorial.html

https://www.cravingsomecreativity.com/soda-bottle-animal-planters/www.cravingsomecreativity.com/soda-bottle-animal-planters/

https://eastcoastcreativeblog.com/2015/12/miy-gifts-marbled-planters.html

8. Bird Feeders

http://www.madewithhappy.com/popsicle-stick-bird-feeder/

https://mommymoment.ca/diy-tea-cup-bird-feeder/

9. Ornaments

I did a whole series on these:

https://sillygeesepublishing.com/12-days-of-christmas-ornament-making-fun/

It takes some learning, but I think we will start by making up a herd of these guys. Plastic Canvas reindeer –http://sclifeasawife.blogspot.com/2013/12/reindeer-ornaments.html

https://www.craftymorning.com/scrabble-tile-ornaments/

https://cutesycrafts.com/2015/11/diy-christmas-ornaments-felt-and-buttons.html

http://preschoolpowolpackets.blogspot.com/2019/12/preschool-3d-christmas-ornaments-book.html

10. Scarves

Flannel –https://wholefully.com/diy-no-sew-flannel-blanket-scarf-11/

Fleece – http://www.piecesbypolly.com//2011/12/tutorial-no-sew-braided-edge-double.html

For the kid that can sew, or with help for those learning to sew. https://www.scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com/how-to-make-an-infinity-scarf

Have you found anything yet?

I hope so, if you’re getting a little overwhelmed start a email or google doc or something to note the ideas that interest you and your child. We needed a Kid’s Planner to keep track of everything for my daughter’s. The planner really helped with building anxiety and the constant stress my youngest felt when thinking of all she wants to do, but not yet able to understand exactly how much time is left. You can get the full Holiday planner over in my Etsy shop, if you just want the gift planning page I’ll have a link to that at the end.

11. Decorated Hand Towels

https://www.icanteachmychild.com/kid-made-dish-towels/

https://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/handprint-christmas-tree-kitchen-towel-easy-diy-gift.html

12. Coasters

I did this one with my daughter because we where already making some canvas art. I linked an easier tile coaster as the second link, for those who don’t want quite this much mess. Acrylic Pour Paint tiles –https://gigglesgalore.net/diy-acrylic-pour-paint-ceramic-coasters

https://onelittleproject.com/sharpie-dyed-tile-coasters/

https://www.craftpassion.com/diy-cork-coasters/

https://grillo-designs.com/how-to-make-coasters-diy/

14. Key Fobs

If you didn’t take a look at the planters, I’ll post it again here. Check out this post from my summer bordom busters, it has macrame keychains too! https://sillygeesepublishing.com/summer-craft-and-skills-building-activity-macrame/

https://mericherry.com/2014/08/02/bead-painting-feather-key-chains/

https://prettylifegirls.com/2020/05/a-step-by-step-diy-macrame-keychain-tutorial.html

15. Luggage Tags

http://craftysoccermom.blogspot.com/2012/07/duct-tape-luggage-tag.html

https://www.pinktoesandpowertools.com/2011/01/05/luggage-tag-tutorial/

16. Painted Ceramics

https://www.gluedtomycraftsblog.com/2013/12/diy-painted-mugs-that-wont-wash-away-craft.html

17. Pencil Toppers

https://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-and-pattern-felt-feather-quill-pen-or-pencil-topper/2018/04/18/

https://easyfeltcrafts.com/christmas-tree-pencil-toppers/

18. Wood Signs

These ideas don’t have to cost a bundle. If you have wood scraps lying around, let your child get creative. – https://sillygeesepublishing.com/summer-boredom-buster-series-get-creative-with-wood-scraps/

https://thesavvysparrow.com/cheap-and-easy-diy-farmhouse-wood-signs/

https://www.makingitinthemountains.com/hand-lettered-diy-wood-sign-video-tutorial/

19. Stenciled Bags

https://www.doodlecraftblog.com/2018/07/tropical-tote-bags-summer-camp-craft.html

20. Travel Size Tissue Holder

https://thecottagemama.com/2012/01/rick-rack-travel-tissue-holder-tutorial/

https://www.deliacreates.com/diy-leather-travel-tissue-pouch-tutorial/

21. Flower Pens

https://livingwellmom.com/adorable-diy-flower-pens/

22. Decorations

This snowman is so cute, but will require some adult help. – http://www.practicallyfunctional.com/tin-can-snowman/

Tilda Fabrics has a bunch of cute projects for teens, but I found the cute snowman to be easy enough for sewers of any age – provided they can use a sewing machine and follow directions. You may need to scroll to find it. https://www.tildasworld.com/free-patterns-seasonal/

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