Things for kids to make to give as gifts

[BigBadBox]

I always help my kids to make a little present each for their grandparents. I'm wondering what to do this year. Does anyone want to share ideas?

In previous years we've done;
photo blanket
decorated mugs
homemade truffles
snow globe with photo in
fabric pens on tote bags

We do this too! Some of our previous successes include....

Homemade bath bombs
Clear glass votive holders decorated with glass pens
Plain photo frames with stickers etc on, with a photo of them and GP in it.
Painted coasters (ceramic or even cork)
A mug or wine glass decorated with ceramic pens.
Tea towel or apron, decorated with fabric pens or hand prints in fabric paint for younger ones.

Baker Ross has literally hundreds of ideas and craft kits, so that can be a good place for inspiration!

We also give this a go, the results are charmingly homemade

Glasses from charity shop decorated with a sometimes homemade candle in
Glass jars decorated with bath salts in
Small cardboard box decorated with peppermint creams in
Marzipan snowmen

Last year, we painted little plant pots, and planted bulbs.

A photo calendar, either with photos or scanned drawings done by the DC.

Hand prints on canvas

Reading through a Christmas magazine yesterday I saw something that I am going to try (I am not great at crafting). It was air dry clay - they had rolled it out, cut star shapes out of it & then apparently using a sharp needle (knitting rather than sewing) had "punched" a hole though top ready to string ribbon through & using needle either drawn pattern or written a name - they looked really pretty - I guess a young childs finger/thumb print could look good too - I am hoping my efforts will be good !

Bea a straw works best for making the holes

Using glue batik gives great results on cotton shopping bags, stamping, leaf printing& sun printing all worked well too (my mother will always embrace a new shopping bag!)

Making jar mixes is quite fun for kids with the layers.
Or Biscotti or chocolate bark
Decorate cheep picture frames for photos

Home made fudge.

Gibbonsgibbonsgibbons thank you for that tip. What is best for writing names or drawing on the clay in your experience ?

also what brand of clay have you found best or worst to use - I want to give myself the best chance of success (am completely rubbish at crafts) TIA

We painted wooden tea light holder one year, decorated with glitter and sticky jewels.

Shopping bag, apron or tea towel decorated with fabric paint but they have to be 100% cotton. Last year DD did it with tie-dye, looks a bit more sophisticated (ish).

Salt dough ornaments or Fimo

@BeaLola

Gibbonsgibbonsgibbons thank you for that tip. What is best for writing names or drawing on the clay in your experience ?

also what brand of clay have you found best or worst to use - I want to give myself the best chance of success (am completely rubbish at crafts) TIA

We’ve been making Christmas decorations (and lots of other stuff) with this clay from Amazon. We’ve made shapes like Christmas puddings, a robin, a snowman etc. Also some simpler shapes with a shape cut out the middle (use cookie cutters) then decorated with a bit of glitter glue. It’s very easy to use, just make sure you cut a hole with a straw or skewer before it dries. www.amazon.co.uk/Modeling-iFergoo-Creative-Project-Booklet/dp/B06XF5G8NN/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=Air+Dried+Clay&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1604704156&sr=8-9

These little boxes have been really successful presents for relatives - DS painted them and decorated with ribbon, stickers etc and then I sprayed them with varnish. He put a little bracelet in them for grandmothers etc. They sell loads of styles and shapes
www.hobbycraft.co.uk/wooden-jewellery-chest-16-x-11-x-10-cm/639269-1000

Scoobie keyring fobs. My son made me one when he was about 8. He is an adult now but I still have it on my keys everyday.

Scoobie keyring fobs. My son made me one when he was about 8. He is an adult now but I still have it on my keys everyday.

We made Christmas tree pictures from handprints one year. Then decorated it with fingerprint baubles.
Or foot prints as a sleigh/reindeer are nice too.
Handprint flowers to decorate something with the 'handprints' poem on.

Have you got a local pottery cafe? Maybe decorate a bauble there.
Photo jigsaw?

I'm planning to make garlands using scratch art Christmas shapes & paper cutouts decorated by DC which I'll string onto ribbon with various baubles/icicles etc. Though I'm not naturally gifted in artistry so they maylook more slapdash than eclectically endearing 🙈

BeaLola we’ve always used the wrong end of a thin paintbrush. Rolling leaves or lace/doilies on top gives nice background patterns too.

I think the only bought clay we’ve used is Das but have more used homemade “salt” dough (although actually made with bicarb )

Good luck!