10 DIY Holiday Gifts Kids Will Love Making

The holiday season is the perfect time to embrace creativity and DIY your own gifts. Homemade presents are not only fun to make (get ready for a mess!), but also a fantastic way to teach kids the value of sustainable gifting. Grab your littles and get started on any (or all!) of these ten DIY holiday gift ideas that kids will adore:

1. Personalized Storybook

Turn your child into the hero of their own story! Write and illustrate a short tale featuring their name, favourite hobbies, or adventures with family and friends. Bind the pages with recycled paper, a fabric cover, or even an upcycled notebook.

2. Homemade Playdough Set

Create non-toxic playdough in fun colours using natural ingredients like flour, salt, and vegetable-based food colouring. Package the dough in reusable jars and include cookie cutters for endless creative play.

3. DIY Puppet Theater

Transform an old cardboard box into a mini puppet stage. Decorate it with fabric scraps, paint, and string lights. Add handmade puppets using socks or felt for an imaginative gift.

4. Upcycled Crayon Kit

Recycle broken crayons into fun shapes! Melt the pieces in silicone molds (stars, hearts, or holiday themes work great) and let them cool. Package them in a cute tin or reusable pouch.

5. Custom Art Kit

Create a personalized art set with recycled materials. Include upcycled sketchpads, hand-carved stamps, and a palette of eco-friendly paints. Wrap it all in a reusable tote bag decorated by you or your kids. Hello, craft pack!

6. Felt Animal Masks

Using leftover felt or fabric scraps, craft adorable animal masks. Cut out shapes for lions, bunnies, or foxes, and attach elastic bands for easy wear. These are perfect for dress-up play (and you know how we feel about imagination as a superpower)!

7. DIY Memory Game

Make a matching game using recycled cardboard and paint or markers. Draw or print simple shapes, animals, or holiday-themed images, and attach them to the cards. Kids will love the bright colors and the challenge of finding matches.

8. Homemade Snow Globe

Reuse an old mason jar to create a magical snow globe. Add small waterproof toys or figurines, glitter, and glycerin (to make the “snow” fall slowly). Seal it tightly, and it’s ready to shake and admire!

9. Hand-Painted Plant Pots

Decorate small terracotta pots with your kids. Use non-toxic paints to create vibrant designs, then gift them with a kid-friendly plant like a succulent or a sprout they can watch grow.

10. No-Sew Tote Bag

Upcycle old t-shirts into colorful tote bags without any sewing! Simply cut and tie the ends to form the bag. Kids can use them to carry toys, books, or snacks.

Bonus Tips for Sustainable Crafting

• Use materials you already have at home to minimize waste.
• Really involve your kids in the process to make the gift-giving even more special.
• Opt for non-toxic, eco-friendly paints and adhesives.

This holiday season, ditch the plastic-and-polyester-laden, mass-produced items and embrace the joy of handmade treasures. What will you craft this year? And if you do some mmaking in your mm, don't forget to share your creations with us - we’d love to see your holiday magic in action!