10 Easy Last-Minute Gifts You Can Make for the Kids

Looking for some quick, easy, inexpensive gift ideas for the kiddos?? Here are some of our favorite DIY gifts to promote hours of imaginative play without breaking the bank!
1. Doorway Puppet Theater — Use tension curtain rods and a few valance curtains to make your own doorway puppet theater.

2. Lil’ Mushroom House — Recycle an empty oatmeal canister into an adorable mushroom house.

3. Felt Cookie Set — Bake up batches of felt cookies (no sewing required!).

4. First Sewing Kit — Combine a few inexpensive items for a kid-friendly sewing kit that’s great for developing fine-motor skills.

5. Pretend Play S’mores — Another no-sew project for lots of pretend play fun!

6. Pretend Sweets Made with Sponges — Who can resist these adorable cakes, cookies, and other sweets made from dollar store sponges?

7. Pretend Cook Top from Recyclables — A quick and easy way to make your own play cook top!

8. Toy Camera — This toy camera is so easy to make, and was a big hit around here!

9. Pretend Car Wash Kit — Kids LOVE to play with water, don’t they?

10. Old Fashioned Laundry Set — Another favorite activity to promote pretend play and a life-skills lesson all in one!

Have fun!!

Comments

  1. Wow Valerie! Such a great collection you put together! I shared it on my Facebook page!

    Hugs,
    Jody
    Mommy Moment

  2. Dear Valerie,

    Remember when you put some of those model-magic marshmallows in your hot cocoa?

    Good times.

    Love,
    Mark

  3. I love the felt and sponge play food. I think we paid a gross amount of money for felt play food at Pottery Barn Kids and it looked just like that!

  4. So tempted by a sewing kit – simply brilliant!

  5. Also- I just watched your video! I LOVE the sandpaper letter discs! We are going to make those this week! They are so in line with the Montessori method/ sensory learning techniques we’re working on….thanks so much for the brilliant ideas!!!!

  6. so many great ideas. My favorites were the felt cookies (making those for my 2 year old this week!), the cook top is also so adorable. You always have the best ideas! Love your blog!

  7. Great list of ideas! I am definitely keeping some of these in mind for birthday presents.

  8. Love these! My dd is getting a kitchen for Christmas so the food ideas will be great!