When it comes to gift-giving, there’s something extra special about making a gift by hand. Home made gifts show thought, creativity, and love—all things kids appreciate. Plus, crafting gifts can be a rewarding experience for you too. Whether you’re looking for creative activities, kids toys, or practical items, this list of 20 easy home made gifts for kids will spark your imagination. Let’s dive in!
Creative Play: Toys Kids Will Love
1. Stuffed Animal or Doll
A handmade stuffed animal or doll is always a hit. Sew a simple design with fabric or felt, adding details like button eyes or embroidered smiles. This personalized gift is not only adorable but also timeless.
2. DIY Puppet Set
Felt or sock puppets are easy to make and perfect for storytelling. Add googly eyes, yarn hair, and fabric accessories to bring them to life. A puppet set encourages imaginative play and creativity.
3. Homemade Playdough
Kids love playdough, and making it at home is surprisingly simple. Use basic ingredients like flour, salt, and food coloring to create colorful, non-toxic dough. Add scents like vanilla or lavender for an extra sensory touch.
While home made playdough is a fantastic and safe activity for kids, one thing to keep in mind is that food coloring can sometimes transfer to hands and even furniture. Although the staining usually washes off after a few hand washes, it can be an inconvenience. To minimize this, consider wearing disposable gloves while mixing the colors or using gel-based food coloring, which tends to bleed less.
Additionally, if kids play with the dough on unprotected furniture or fabric, the color could leave marks on surfaces. To prevent this, set up a play area with a plastic mat, wax paper, or an easily washable surface like a dining table. Another alternative is to use natural food dyes or pastel shades, as they’re less likely to stain. With a bit of preparation, you can enjoy the fun of homemade playdough while keeping hands and furniture clean!
4. Wooden Building Blocks
Sand and paint small pieces of wood to create custom building blocks. These durable toys encourage problem-solving and imaginative play, making them a perfect addition to any toy box.
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5. Cardboard Playhouse
Transform large cardboard boxes into a playhouse or fort. During the holiday season, Amazon boxes pile up in many households, often destined for the recycling bin. Instead of tossing them, why not transform these boxes into a creative and eco-friendly gift for kids? Use large boxes to build structures like castles, rockets, or cozy cottages—just cut out doors and windows, then let the kids decorate with paint, markers, or stickers. Not only does this reuse packaging waste, but it also saves money and teaches children about sustainability. It’s a fun, eco-friendly gift kids will enjoy for hours.
Art and Craft Gifts: Inspire Creativity
6. Art Kit
Put together a DIY art kit with crayons, markers, paper, and small craft supplies like stickers or stamps. Personalize it with a decorated box or tote to make it extra special.
7. DIY Coloring Book
Create a coloring book by designing or printing themed pages that align with the child’s interests, like animals, superheroes, or nature. Bind the pages together for a professional touch.
Pro Tip:
Using AI to quickly create a DIY coloring book is both fun and efficient. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
- Choose a Theme: Start by selecting a theme for your coloring book, such as animals, nature, vehicles, or seasonal scenes. AI tools can generate specific images based on your chosen theme.
- Generate Images: Use an AI image generation tool (like DALL·E, MidJourney, or other art generators) to create line drawings or sketches. Simply input detailed prompts, such as “line drawing of a cute dog for a coloring book” or “simple landscape coloring page with trees and mountains.”
- Refine the Images: After generating the images, you can refine them. Some AI tools allow you to enhance the line art or make adjustments to suit a more coloring-friendly style. You might also need to remove backgrounds or simplify complex illustrations for better coloring experience.
- Compile the Pages: Once you have a collection of images, compile them into a PDF or any printable format. Use a simple design tool like Canva or Google Slides to create pages and add page numbers, titles, or any additional text.
- Print or Share Digitally: Finally, print out the pages for physical coloring books, or share the digital version with friends, family, or online. You can also create a printable PDF file for easy distribution.
AI makes the process of creating a custom coloring book simple and fast, letting you design personalized, themed books that kids (and adults) will love!
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8. Paint-Your-Own Figurines
Sculpt figurines from air-dry clay, such as animals or shapes, and include a small set of paints. Kids can decorate the figurines, turning the gift into an activity they’ll love.
9. Easy Home Made Gifts for Kids: Activity Jar
Fill a jar with slips of paper listing fun activities, like “build a pillow fort” or “make paper airplanes.” This simple yet creative gift offers endless inspiration for playtime.
Here’s 7 activity jars you can gift to your kid(s).
- Outdoor Adventure Jar – Fun activities like nature walks, scavenger hunts, or playing in the park.
- Crafts and Art Jar – DIY projects like drawing, painting, or making home made jewelry.
- Learning Jar – Educational games like trivia, puzzles, or science experiments.
- Indoor Play Jar – Activities for rainy days, such as building forts or playing board games.
- Cooking Jar – Simple kid-friendly recipes or baking activities.
- Exercise Jar – Physical activities like jumping jacks, dancing, or yoga poses.
- Random Acts of Kindness Jar – Ideas for helping others, like writing a thank you note or donating toys.
Each jar offers a fun and varied activity to keep kids engaged and entertained!
10. Personalized Puzzles
Creating personalized puzzles is a fun and meaningful gift idea. Start by choosing a high-quality, personal image like family photos or custom artwork. Be mindful of the puzzle’s size and difficulty based on the recipient’s age and skill level. Use durable materials like thick cardboard or wood, and ensure your image has high resolution for the best print quality. To make it extra special, consider custom-shaped pieces or adding a hidden message that only appears when the puzzle is completed. You can also personalize the packaging with a matching design or note. Lastly, test the puzzle to ensure the pieces fit well and the challenge level is just right. With these tips, you can create a one-of-a-kind puzzle that will be enjoyed for years to come.
Practical Gifts: Functional and Fun
11. Custom T-Shirt
Decorate a plain T-shirt with fabric paint, iron-on designs, or tie-dye. Choose themes or colors the child loves for a one-of-a-kind wearable gift.
- Pick Soft Fabric: Choose a comfy cotton shirt that’s soft and durable for kids.
- Personalize the Design: Add their name, age, or favorite holiday characters like Santa, reindeer, or snowflakes for a festive touch.
- Use Bright Colors and Simple Fonts: Kids love bright colors and easy-to-read text. Avoid fancy fonts that may be hard to read.
- Add Fun Extras: Consider using glow-in-the-dark ink or textured elements like glitter for added fun.
- Get the Right Fit: Make sure the shirt fits comfortably, and consider ordering a size up for longer wear.
- Choose the Right Printing Method: Use heat transfer vinyl (HTV) or screen printing for durable designs that last.
- Give Care Instructions: Wash the shirt inside out in cold water and air dry to keep the design looking great.
12. Animal Hooded Towel
Turn a regular towel into a cozy hooded wrap by sewing on ears, eyes, or other animal features. This is perfect for bath time or the beach!
13. Dress-Up Accessories
Make simple dress-up items like crowns, superhero capes, animal masks, or even create a simple kids princess costumes. Use felt, fabric, or even cardboard for endless pretend-play possibilities.
14. Personalized Tote Bag
Decorate a plain tote bag with paint or iron-ons. These bags are perfect for carrying toys, books, or snacks and can be customized with the child’s favorite themes.
15. DIY Crayon Roll
Sew a small roll-up organizer for crayons or markers. Add a tie or button closure for portability, making this a practical gift for kids on the go.
16. Name Banner
Cut felt or paper into pennants and spell out the child’s name. String the pieces together to create a personalized banner for their bedroom or playroom.
Games and Activities: Fun for All Ages
17. Board Game
Design a custom board game with simple rules. Use cardboard for the board and add handmade tokens. Whether it’s a scavenger hunt or a themed trivia game, kids will love the personal touch.
18. Sensory Bin
Fill a container with rice, beans, or kinetic sand and include small toys, scoops, or cups for exploration. Sensory bins are great for younger kids and provide hours of hands-on fun.
19. Scavenger Hunt Kit
Assemble a scavenger hunt kit with clues, a map, and small treasures. This gift turns any day into an adventure, perfect for curious and active kids.
20. Ring Toss or Bean Bag Game
Create a DIY ring toss game using a wooden stand and painted rings, or sew small bean bags for a tossing game. These are great for indoor or outdoor fun and easy to make.
Why Choose Easy Home Made Gifts for Kids?
Home made gifts stand out because they’re made with care and thoughtfulness. They’re often more affordable than store-bought options and can be tailored to a child’s unique interests. Best of all, creating these gifts can be just as enjoyable as giving them.
Whether you’re making toys, crafts, or practical items, this list of easy home made gifts for kids has something for everyone. Not only will these gifts bring joy to the children who receive them, but they’ll also create lasting memories.
This holiday season—or any time of year—get creative and try one of these ideas. With a little effort, you’ll make something truly special that kids will cherish.
