Homemade Christmas Gifts Kids Can Make: 15 Easy DIY Ideas

The holiday season brings endless opportunities for kids to express their creativity and love through handmade gifts. We know how special it feels to receive a present made with care by little hands, which is why we’ve gathered the best DIY Christmas gift ideas that children can craft themselves.

Whether your kids want to surprise grandparents, teachers or friends, these simple yet heartwarming projects will help them spread holiday cheer. What could be more meaningful than watching your children discover the joy of giving through their own creations? From colorful ornaments to sweet treats, we’ll show you fun and budget-friendly gift ideas that kids of all ages can make with minimal supervision.

Key Takeaways

• DIY Christmas gifts made by kids can range from simple ornaments to edible treats, offering meaningful and budget-friendly holiday gift options.
• Popular craft projects include salt dough ornaments, popsicle stick snowflakes, cookie mix jars, and chocolate-dipped treats – all requiring minimal adult supervision.
• Photo-based gifts like decorated frames and snow globes help create lasting memories while allowing children to express their creativity.
• No-sew fleece scarves and personalized gift bags offer easy craft options for kids ages 6 and up using basic materials found at home.
• Handmade cards and gift tags featuring fingerprint art or button designs add a personal touch to presents while developing children’s artistic skills.
• Most projects can be completed using common household items and basic craft supplies, making them accessible for families on any budget.

Easy Handmade Ornaments and Tree Decorations

Creating handmade ornaments transforms ordinary craft supplies into festive decorations that sparkle with holiday spirit. These simple projects let kids express their creativity while adding personal touches to the Christmas tree.

Salt Dough Creations

Salt dough ornaments combine three basic ingredients: flour, salt & water into lasting holiday decorations. Kids mix the ingredients into a soft dough, roll it out & cut shapes using cookie cutters. Adding textural elements like pine needles, buttons or lace creates unique impressions in the dough before baking. After cooling, children paint their creations with acrylic colors & seal them with clear varnish for a glossy finish. Popular designs include:

• Hand & footprint keepsakes decorated with ribbons
• Christmas shapes (stars, trees, bells) painted in metallic colors
• Personalized gift tags stamped with names & dates
• Pet paw print ornaments adorned with glitter

Popsicle Stick Snowflakes

Popsicle stick snowflakes offer a perfect winter craft activity using basic materials. Kids arrange & glue 6-8 craft sticks in a star pattern to form the base. Decorating options include:

• White paint topped with silver glitter
• Wrapped yarn in cool winter colors
• Small adhesive gems or sequins
• Metallic paint pen designs

Adding a loop of twine or ribbon creates an instant hanging ornament. The snowflakes work beautifully:

• Hanging on the tree
• Decorating windows
• Attached to gift packages
• Strung together as garland

Edible Holiday Gifts From The Kitchen

Kids love creating sweet treats in the kitchen during the holiday season. These tasty homemade gifts combine creativity with delicious ingredients perfect for sharing with loved ones.

Cookie Mix in a Jar

Cookie mix jars offer a festive way for kids to share baking joy. Layer basic ingredients like flour, sugar, chocolate chips, oats or M&Ms in a clean mason jar to create an appealing striped pattern. Kids can measure ingredients, carefully pour each layer, and decorate the jar with ribbon, fabric toppers or handwritten recipe cards. Popular combinations include:

• Chocolate chip cookie mix with white flour, brown sugar, and chocolate chips
• Oatmeal raisin mix featuring layers of oats, raisins, and cinnamon-sugar
• M&M cookie mix displaying colorful candy layers against white dry ingredients
• Snickerdoodle mix with cinnamon sugar topping the basic cookie ingredients

Chocolate-Dipped Treats

Chocolate-dipped goodies let kids express creativity through simple dipping techniques. Start with easy-to-handle items like:

• Pretzel rods decorated with colored sprinkles
• Marshmallows topped with crushed candy canes
• Oreo cookies drizzled with white chocolate
• Rice Krispie treats cut into holiday shapes

Kids can melt chocolate in the microwave under supervision, dip their chosen treats, and add toppings before the chocolate sets. Package finished treats in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons or arrange them in decorated holiday tins.

Personalized Photo Gifts

Photo gifts create lasting memories while letting kids express their creativity through hands-on crafting. These simple projects transform ordinary pictures into heartwarming holiday presents.

Picture Frame Decorating

Kids transform plain wooden frames into festive masterpieces using craft supplies from home. Paint the frame with acrylic colors or cover it with decorative washi tape. Add seasonal embellishments like mini pinecones, buttons, sequins or glitter to create sparkly borders. Kids can personalize frames further by gluing on small ornaments, ribbons or writing special messages with paint markers.

Photo Snow Globes

Photo snow globes combine cherished photos with the magic of falling snow. Start with a clean mason jar, glue a favorite photo to the inside of the lid using waterproof adhesive. Fill the jar with distilled water, add glycerin drops for slower-falling snow, then sprinkle in white glitter or artificial snow. Seal the lid tightly with strong glue around the rim. Kids can decorate the jar’s exterior with ribbon, twine or seasonal stickers.

• Paint snowflakes on the jar exterior
• Tie festive ribbon around the lid
• Add mini ornaments inside
• Create custom bases with modeling clay
• Use holiday-themed photos

Simple Sewing and Craft Projects

Handmade fabric gifts offer a cozy touch to holiday giving. These projects require minimal materials and basic crafting skills, making them perfect for kids ages 6 and up.

No-Sew Fleece Scarves

Creating no-sew fleece scarves transforms soft fabric into warm winter accessories. Kids select 2 coordinating fleece patterns to create a double-sided scarf measuring 60 inches long by 6 inches wide. They cut 4-inch fringe strips along both long edges, then tie opposing strips together to secure the layers. Popular design combinations include:

• Holiday patterns paired with solid colors
• Sports team colors with matching prints
• Animal prints with coordinating textures
• Seasonal motifs with complementary stripes

Decorated Gift Bags

Plain paper gift bags become personalized packaging with simple decorating techniques. Kids start with kraft paper bags in various sizes and customize them using:

• Hand-stamped holiday shapes
• Painted fingerprint designs (reindeer, snowmen, lights)
• Washi tape patterns in festive colors
• Glued-on fabric scraps or ribbon strips

To enhance durability:

The finished bags store flat until needed and add a personal touch to any gift presentation.

Holiday Cards and Gift Tags

Handmade cards and gift tags add a personal touch to Christmas presents. These creative projects let kids express their artistic talents while making meaningful additions to holiday gifts.

Fingerprint Art Cards

Fingerprint art transforms plain cards into festive masterpieces using washable ink pads and children’s fingerprints. Creating cute holiday characters like reindeer faces with thumbprints or string lights with multiple fingerprints brings cards to life. Kids can enhance their designs by adding details with fine-tipped markers:

• Thumbprint reindeer with drawn antlers and red noses
• Fingerprint Christmas trees decorated with tiny dots
• Line of fingerprint snowmen with carrot noses and scarves
• String of colorful lights made from index finger prints
• Candy cane stripes using alternating red and white prints

Button and Ribbon Designs

Buttons and ribbons create dimensional cards that pop with texture and color. Kids can arrange buttons to form holiday shapes or use ribbon scraps to craft decorative elements:

• Green button Christmas trees topped with star buttons
• Ribbon bows attached to form wreath shapes
• Button snowmen with fabric scrap scarves
• Candy cane stripes made from red and white ribbon
• Mixed button ornaments hanging from drawn branches

Conclusion

Handmade Christmas gifts remind us that the true spirit of the season lies in thoughtful giving and creating cherished memories. Whether it’s crafting ornaments painting picture frames or baking sweet treats kids can experience the joy of making something special for their loved ones.

We hope these creative DIY gift ideas inspire your little ones to embrace their artistic talents this holiday season. By encouraging children to make their own presents we’re teaching them valuable lessons about generosity creativity and the meaningful connections that handmade gifts create. Let’s make this Christmas extra special with gifts straight from the heart!

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes handmade gifts special during the holidays?

Handmade gifts are special because they represent time, effort, and personal creativity. When children make gifts, they learn the joy of giving while creating unique, heartfelt presents that mean more to recipients than store-bought items. These gifts capture precious moments and show thoughtfulness that can’t be replicated by mass-produced items.

How can kids make salt dough ornaments?

Mix 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, and 3/4 cup warm water to create salt dough. Roll out the dough, cut shapes using cookie cutters, make holes for hanging, and bake at 250°F for 2 hours. Once cooled, kids can paint and decorate the ornaments as desired.

What are some easy edible gifts children can make?

Cookie mix in a jar and chocolate-dipped treats are simple options. Kids can layer dry cookie ingredients in mason jars and decorate them with ribbons. For chocolate treats, they can dip pretzels, marshmallows, or Oreos in melted chocolate and add festive toppings.

How can children create personalized photo gifts?

Children can decorate wooden picture frames with paint and seasonal decorations, or make photo snow globes using mason jars, photos, glitter, and glycerin. These projects allow kids to combine crafting with preserving special memories.

What materials are needed for no-sew fleece scarves?

You’ll need two coordinating pieces of fleece fabric, scissors, and a ruler. No sewing is required – just cut fringe strips along the edges and tie them together to create a cozy scarf.

How can kids make their own holiday cards?

Kids can create unique cards using fingerprint art with washable ink pads, making designs like thumbprint reindeer or fingerprint Christmas trees. They can also use buttons, ribbons, and paper to make dimensional decorative elements.

What are some budget-friendly gift packaging ideas?

Plain paper bags can be transformed using hand-stamped shapes, painted designs, or washi tape patterns. Kids can also create personalized gift tags using cardstock, markers, and seasonal stickers for an extra special touch.

Are these craft projects safe for young children?

Most projects are safe with proper supervision. However, activities involving hot glue, scissors, or melted chocolate require adult assistance. Choose age-appropriate projects and always monitor children during crafting sessions.