Fun and Practical Homemade Gifts for Kids

Written by
Erin Huffstetler

Erin Huffstetler is a writer with experience writing about easy ways to save money at home.

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Erin Huffstetler
Updated 06/09/19
Boy sitting on floor unwrapping a birthday gift
annapekunova / Getty Images

Looking for clever – and affordable – gift ideas for kids? Then, skip the store, and try one of these homemade gift ideas:

  • 01 of 27

    Crayons

    Heart-shaped homemade crayon

    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.

  • 02 of 27

    Playdough

    Playdough Christmas presents and Christmas tree
    CactuSoup / Getty Images

    Treat your favorite shortie to a fresh batch of playdough in your choice of color and scent.

  • 03 of 27

    Sidewalk Chalk

    High Angle View Of Chalks In Container On Pavement
    Sven Ole Schubert / EyeEm / Getty Images

    Fill a bucket with chunky sticks of homemade sidewalk chalk–the more colors the better.

  • 04 of 27

    Felt Board

    Colorful felt plates
    Kerrick / Getty Images

    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!

    Continue to 5 of 27 below.
  • 05 of 27

    Treasure Soap

    High Angle View Of Bamboos With Soaps On Wooden Floor
    Julian Popov / EyeEm / Getty Images

    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.

  • 06 of 27

    Popsicle Soap

    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.

  • 07 of 27

    Soap on a Rope

    Soap and Brush on Towel
    Neo Vision / Getty Images

    Introduce a new generation to the wonder that is soap on a rope. It couldn't be easier to make.

  • 08 of 27

    Soap Scrubbies

    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.

    Continue to 9 of 27 below.
  • 09 of 27

    Bubble Bath

    Girl taking bubble bath.
    Katrina Wittkamp / Getty Images

    Make a batch of bubble bath, and give the gift of raisin fingers.

  • 10 of 27

    Bath Paint

    Girl in bathtub painting
    Katja Kircher / Getty Images

    Mix up several colors of bath paint, and turn bath time into art time.

  • 11 of 27

    A Washcloth Whale

    Woman pouring soap while children playing in bathtub
    Cavan Images / Getty Images

    This washcloth whale would make a great addition to any little one's bath toy collection, and it comes together in minutes.

  • 12 of 27

    Denim Pocket Quilt

    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.

    Continue to 13 of 27 below.
  • 13 of 27

    Safety Pin Bracelet

    Fabric Bead Bracelets
    Lisa Stokes / Getty Images

    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.

  • 14 of 27

    Sweater Mittens

    Human being enjoying a hot beverage
    ChristopherBernard / Getty Images

    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.

  • 15 of 27

    Snow Pants

    Hispanic children sledding in snow
    Ariel Skelley / Getty Images

    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!

  • 16 of 27

    Jean Skirt

    Skirt with hanger and belt hanging on wall
    Katja Kircher / Getty Images

    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.

    Continue to 17 of 27 below.
  • 17 of 27

    Scrabble Letter Bracelet

    Scrabble 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.

  • 18 of 27

    Scrabble Photo Bracelet

    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.

  • 19 of 27

    Slipper Socks

    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.

  • 20 of 27

    A Fleece Hat

    Cozy baby swinging
    angela auclair / Getty Images

    Pick out a piece of fleece in a fun pattern, and make a warm winter hat for your kiddo.

    Continue to 21 of 27 below.
  • 21 of 27

    Snowman Kit

    Snowman

    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.

  • 22 of 27

    Snow Paint

    Snow paint set of 3 colors

    Erin Huffstetler

    Put together a snow paint kit, and you'll be giving the gift of snow day fun.

  • 23 of 27

    A Chalkboard Piggy Bank

    Piggy bank sitting on books in nursery
    Kate Kunz/Corbis / Getty Images

    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.

  • 24 of 27

    A Bath Mitt Puppet

    Dragon bath mitt

    Erin Huffstetler

    Buy some car wash mitts from the dollar store, and transform them into bath mitt puppets. Very fun!

    Continue to 25 of 27 below.
  • 25 of 27

    Family Guess Who?

    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!

  • 26 of 27

    Christmas Card Notepads

    Christmas cards

     freemanp / Twenty20

    Use some of your Christmas cards from previous years to create Christmas card notepads for the kiddos.

  • 27 of 27

    Denim Pocket Purse

    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.