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.

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 treasures in. Decorate with stickers, glitter, buttons or whatever else you can find to make the box a stand-out.

Give of Yourself
Store-bought gifts are nice, but a homemade gift is so much nicer. Show the kids in your life how special they are to you by creating gifts that reflect both their interests and your love for them.