Somehow, the holiday season is just over the horizon, so we thought we’d ease into it by rounding up some of the best gifts your kids can make for teachers and family. Don’t worry — these are pretty simple crafts that don’t need a ton of supplies and don’t have lots of intricate steps. They’d work well for toddler age and up.
In your experience, what kinds of kid-made gifts have been big hits among grandparents, teachers, and others? Alternately, any flops or disasters to share…? (Or, are these the kinds of holiday ideas you love to delegate or just say NOPE to entirely?)
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This bookmark craft from What We Do All Day could work for kids who are learning to write and those who haven’t yet — younger children can just draw/scribble whatever they like. (The recipient will love it no matter what, of course.) They could personalize the bookmark by writing the person’s name on it or write “From [Child’s Name].” The blogger explains that kids can use watercolor paints on the bookmark (cut from watercolor paper) after they write/draw on it with a crayon. Then, laminate the bookmarks.
I’ve had this Amazon Basics laminator ($24.99) for a few years, and it’s been great to have on hand for all kinds of things.
Any grandparent would love to get one of these painted fridge magnets featured on Happy Hooligans. These are the flat canvases she links to — a set of 12 of the 4″ x 4″ size is $12.17. For the backs, you can repurpose business-card magnets or buy magnetic sheets like these ($7.99 at Amazon) and cut them. (Save the leftovers for future projects!)
You could also skip the magnetic aspect and set little canvases with your kids’ art on tiny wooden easels (When my son was little, I had him do something similar for my husband, and it was cute.) Here’s a set at Amazon that includes 12 canvases and 12 easels for $15.34 (3″ x 3″) or $17.99 (4″ x 4″).
{related: what are the best gifts for teachers?}
This easy craft is from No Time for Flash Cards (a great blog in general!). To make these popsicle-stick coasters, you need, yes, popsicle sticks (lots), markers, glue, a paintbrush, and a small dish (plus water). Your kids could also use acrylic paints, but you’d need to build in some drying time. If you don’t have any popsicle sticks lying around, this box of 200 is $5.99 at Amazon; alternately, try your local Buy Nothing group.
The glue and water are to seal the finished product, but you could also use a spray sealer. (I have the glossy version of this acrylic sealer spray.)
{related: what does your holiday gift-giving to do list look like?}
The instructions for these salt dough ornaments are from Yummy Toddler Food. I made a few of these when I was little, and my parents still hang them on their tree 35+ years later! All you need to make the dough is three ingredients: table salt, water, and all-purpose flour.
For decorating them, the blogger recommends acrylic craft paint or (for younger children) tempura washable paints, but your kids don’t even have to paint these if you use a brightly-colored piece of yarn or ribbon for the loop. She also recommends sealing them with Mod Podge or a Mod Podge sealer spray ($4.86 and $6.88 at Amazon, respectively).
Do tell, readers: What have you found to be the best gifts your kids can make for teachers and family?
Anonymous says
Teachers don’t want handmade gifts. What they do want is a heartfelt note of appreciation citing specifics. Also gift cards.
Kate says
Thank you for reading!
I made sure to include a link to our post on teacher gifts (https://corporettemoms.com/best-teacher-gifts) — here’s what I wrote for it after doing some research, i.e., real teachers’ opinions: “In general, teachers like to receive gift cards (for themselves and also for classroom supplies), homemade items from their students, and thoughtful notes from parents. If asked, they typically do not want desk-cluttering tchotchkes like mugs, candles, or apple-themed gifts; or perfume and other scented products.”
With the teacher side of this post in mind, I deliberately didn’t include painted mugs, etc., which I’ve heard teachers receive a lot of and don’t need/want. Fortunately, the above bookmarks and magnets, for example, are small (physically small) things that could supplement a gift card. We almost always give gift cards to my son’s teachers. :)
Anonymous says
My husband is a high school teacher and think this is probably generally true, at least to the extent that no one should feel obligated to make something homemade! (Cash in king in NYC though). Keep in mind schools may have rules about gift giving too. When my son was younger we liked making presents for relatives though.