Handmade special keepsakes are hands-down the BEST gift a child can give! This list of 15 DIY Christmas gifts that kids can make includes easy and festive Christmas activities and ideas for kids that can be wrapped up as the perfect gift for loved ones.
I’ve organized this list into toddler, preschooler, and big kid DIY Christmas gift ideas for easy navigation so you can set your child up for success. So start crafting, wrapping, and saving money with these simple and sweet DIY Christmas gifts that kids can make with everything they already have at home this holiday season.
RELATED: Your kids will love this easy Christmas art activity that uses tissue paper and glue to make bright and colorful ornaments!
How do you make easy homemade Christmas gifts for kids?
You can make a homemade Christmas gift with a few supplies you likely have at home. Some of the most popular gifts are a handwritten note and a gift basket with homemade food, and new parents enjoy handprint crafts. Gifting 24 Would You Rather Questions for Kids Christmas Edition is another fun idea!
Here are some of my favorite art supplies to make a DIY Christmas gift.
Get creative with what you have—it’ll turn out better, pinky promise! Use easy art, festive Christmas tree crafts, or gingerbread activities to inspire a DIY Christmas gift that kids can make for their loved ones.
RELATED: Use our list of 30 Family Activities on Christmas Break to make more special memories together!
Toddler Created Gifts
You don’t have to be Martha Stewart to tackle these gift ideas! Here are the sweetest homemade gift ideas for toddlers to make for families.
Fingerprint Christmas Painting for Kids
Our fingerprinted Christmas paintings make the BEST holiday gift! This is a great idea for grandparents.
DIY Dotty Tote Bags
These DIY dotty tote bags are fun to create and make quite a fashion statement. This makes a beautiful gift for someone who likes to bring their bags to show off what someone made them!
Hand-Shaped Ring Dish
These sweet little hand-shaped ring dishes are the perfect way to create a special (and functional) dish for holding important jewelry.
Decorated Candles
Toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids will love decorating homemade candles that can be used as a Christmas gift.
Handprint Snowman Ornament
Make and gift a keepsake with this personalized snowman ornament made from your child’s handprint. It is a wonderful, simple gift.
Preschool Made Crafts
Preschoolers can create any thoughtful gifts listed in the toddler selection and these additional ideas. Creative ideas can (and should) be cost-effective. These are the perfect DIY Christmas gifts.
Fridge Magnet
Teach your preschooler a lesson in magnification as they create the cutest little magnets that can be used on the fridge all year long.
Salt Painted Christmas Tree
Have fun salt-painting these Christmas trees! Kids will love to see the paint run along the salt.
Salt Dough Ornament
These salt dough ornaments are such a classic! Preschoolers love shaping and decorating these special ornaments to give to their loved ones.
Simple Sugar Scrub
A fun sensory activity that makes the perfect holiday gift! Decorative bottles and mason jars work well when gifting sugar scrubs.
Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments
These cinnamon applesauce ornaments smell amazing and make the perfect gift for teachers or family!
Big kid holiday craft ideas
Big kids and young adults will love making these fun DIY holiday gifts for family members and their best friends. Other easy ideas include knit potholders, bath salts, and friendship bracelets. (Obviously.)
Yarn Star Ornaments
You don’t need a sewing machine for this sweet gift. Design and decorate your star ornaments using yarn and pipe cleaners.
DIY Fabric Gift Wrap
Forget about all that wrapping paper that ends up in the trash. This reusable DIY fabric gift wrapping “paper” is a cute and creative way to wrap gifts for many years. You can do the same technique on a tea towel.
Reindeer Painting
Kids will have fun making this adorable reindeer painting! It’s a great mixed-media art project that involves painting with watercolors, acrylic paint, and oil pastels.
Washi Tape Christmas Cards
We love Washi tape for both decorative and functional uses! Strengthen fine motor skills while making beautiful Christmas cards using this festive tape.
Paper Quilled Christmas Lights Craft
This vibrant and intricate Christmas lights craft makes a beautiful and thoughtful gift that can be used as holiday decorations for many years.
Why are homemade gifts so great?
Fact: homemade gifts are SO much better than buying “things”! And let’s be honest, most grandparents can buy what they need when needed. It is much more sentimental and special for family members to receive a one-of-a-kind keepsake rather than a new shirt or set of baking pans.
As a major plus, spending time making DIY Christmas gifts that kids can make is an activity in and of itself. When your child is committed to an activity, it can help to boost their self-esteem and independence.
Grandparents don’t care what they get. But anything they receive made by your little one’s little hands will be their favorite gift this year!
What can kids learn from making DIY Christmas gifts for the holiday?
Kids learn so much from making their gifts for the holidays! Experts have found that teaching kids about giving is important for building positive and healthy relationships.
When kids are allowed to create something of their own AND provide it as a gift, it can help with:
- Boosting creativity
- Building their self-esteem
- Creating a connection with loved ones
- Developing fine motor skills
- Improving independent play skills
- Learning about giving
- Supporting decision-making skills
- Teaching gratitude
RELATED: Practice and strengthen fine motor skills with this cute Christmas Sticker Cup activity!
DIY Christmas gifts that kids can make are THE BEST
Keep your kids busy, teach them the gift of giving, and save money with these DIY Christmas gifts that kids can make. Creating homemade gifts for loved ones will help to build your child’s confidence, develop fine motor and creativity skills, and leave grandparents with the most special handmade gifts this season!
Empower your child with skills to thrive.
24 low-prep activities and relatable conversation starters that equip kids for life.
- Order the easy-to-follow activity cards.
- Build the foundation for social-emotional learning.
- Notice a shift in self-confidence and self-regulation as you and your child implement what you practice.
FAQs for simple DIY Christmas gifts for kids
Kids can make ornaments, paintings, and holiday decorations for easy DIY Christmas gifts.
Handmade gifts are good for strengthening fine motor skills, teaching about the importance of giving, and developing confidence and independent play skills.
You can make an easy DIY Christmas gift using art supplies you already have, wrapping it up, and having your kids sign their names for a personal touch.
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