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Looking for clever – and affordable – gift ideas for kids? Then, skip the store, and try one of these homemade gift ideas:
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Crayons
Erin Huffstetler
Have a bunch of crayon stubs that are too small for your kids to hold onto? Don't throw them out! Instead, recycle them into big, chunky crayons that are just the right size for little hands. Pair them with a coloring book, and you've got a complete gift for $1.
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Playdough
Treat your favorite shortie to a fresh batch of playdough in your choice of color and scent.
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Sidewalk Chalk
Fill a bucket with chunky sticks of homemade sidewalk chalk–the more colors the better.
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Felt Board
Felt boards sell for big bucks, but they don't cost much at all to make. Round up a bit of felt and cardboard, and create a homemade felt board in thirty minutes or less. You can even create a felt person that resembles the recipient–too fun!
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Treasure Soap
Surprises are big fun when you're little. Hide a small trinket inside a bar of homemade treasure soap, and you've got a cheap and memorable gift that'll be fun to the last wash.
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Popsicle Soap
Erin Huffstetler
Popsicle-shaped soap is kid-cool and cheap too. Pick up a pound of glycerin soap, and melt your way to the perfect gift.
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Soap on a Rope
Introduce a new generation to the wonder that is soap on a rope. It couldn't be easier to make.
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Soap Scrubbies
David Fisher
It's one part soap; it's one part scrubbie; and it's 100 percent fun. Stock up on dollar store scrubbies and make a soap scrubbie for every kid that you know.
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Bubble Bath
Make a batch of bubble bath, and give the gift of raisin fingers.
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Bath Paint
Mix up several colors of bath paint, and turn bath time into art time.
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A Washcloth Whale
This washcloth whale would make a great addition to any little one's bath toy collection, and it comes together in minutes.
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Denim Pocket Quilt
Erin Huffstetler
Turn your old jeans into a snuggly-warm denim pocket quilt for a special kiddo in your life. The pockets are perfect for stashing stuffed animals and all of those other kid treasures, and the price tag is pretty perfect too–just a $1 or three for two.
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Safety Pin Bracelet
A bracelet made out of safety pins is just the thing for a budding fashionista – and budget-friendly to boot. Create one of these show-stoppers for $1 or less.
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Sweater Mittens
Dig an old and seldom-worn sweater out of your closet, and turn it into a snuggly-warm pair of sweater mittens for a lucky little kiddo. Then, make a pair for yourself too–you'll have plenty of fabric to spare.
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Snow Pants
Pull out your sewing supplies, and get to work on a pair of snow pants for your kiddo. Just the thing for a day of frigid fun!
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Jean Skirt
Transform a pair of holey jeans into a hip new jean skirt for a little girl or teen on your gift list. Estimated project cost: just over 50 cents.
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Scrabble Letter Bracelet
Erin Huffstetler
Scour thrift stores and yard sales for old Scrabble games. Then, use the tiles to create letter bracelets for all the young trendsetters that you know.
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Scrabble Photo Bracelet
Erin Huffstetler
Scrabble tiles can also be used to create personalized photo bracelets. Create one for your daughter with pictures of her and her BFF, and you'll earn some definite cool points.
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Slipper Socks
Sherri Osborn
Grab a pair of socks and some puff paint, and whip up a snazzy pair of slipper socks for those little feet that never slow down.
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A Fleece Hat
Pick out a piece of fleece in a fun pattern, and make a warm winter hat for your kiddo.
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Snowman Kit
Tom Merton/Getty Images
Making snowmen is great fun when you're a kid. Assemble snowman kits for all the shorties on your list, and they'll be ready to go when that next snow storm hits.
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Snow Paint
Erin Huffstetler
Put together a snow paint kit, and you'll be giving the gift of snow day fun.
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A Chalkboard Piggy Bank
Pick up some cheap piggy banks and a bottle of chalkboard paint, and make chalkboard piggy banks for all the little ones on your list. It's a great way to get kids excited about saving.
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A Bath Mitt Puppet
Erin Huffstetler
Buy some car wash mitts from the dollar store, and transform them into bath mitt puppets. Very fun!
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Family Guess Who?
Erin Huffstetler
Snag a Guess Who? a game from a thrift store or yard sale. Then, swap out the character pictures with photos of your family members. Such a fun gift!
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Christmas Card Notepads
freemanp / Twenty20
Use some of your Christmas cards from previous years to create Christmas card notepads for the kiddos.
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Denim Pocket Purse
Erin Huffstetler
The back pockets are often the prettiest part of a pair of jeans, sporting intricate embroidery and sometimes even delicate sequins and beads. Use them to create a denim pocket purse for a lucky little girl.