Many homemade gifts that toddlers and preschoolers can make require more work from the adults involved than the kids “making” the crafts themselves. Whether it is cutting out shapes from construction paper, trying to get the glue to come out of the bottle or following semi-complex instructions, children under five just do not have the skills or dexterity to make many projects a success on their own.
The added pressure of crafts being a gift for someone else also means that the focus is on the perfect end product rather than the creative process and this can cause frustration for the little crafter and the helping adult. The following ten minute crafts are great memorable gifts for others and the kids can honestly say “I made it myself!”
‘Bug’mark
Have the child press his or her fingers on an inkpad and leave fingerprints all over a colorful piece of construction paper that is cut as a book mark. Add details to the fingerprints such as legs and antennae to create bugs and then place a surface protector such as MACtac on both sides of the bookmark. Punch a hole in the top to add a ribbon for an extra finishing touch.
Glittery Candle Holder
Purchase inexpensive globe-shaped candle holders and let the child spread clear drying glue on the inside of the bowl using his or her finger finger. Have the little crafter shake colorful glitter into the candle holder and roll the globe gently around to help spread the glitter all over the inside. An adult’s help will be needed to pour out the excess glitter. Let the candle holder dry and then add a tea light for a beautiful gift for any occasion.
One-of-a-kind Stationary
Give the little artist a few sheets of plain white paper and ask him or her to decorate around the outside of the paper with markers, stamps and stickers. The helping adult may want to temporarily place a piece of paper in the middle of the pages with magic tape to ensure that there will be a place to write when the stationary is finished. Give the child the same number of plain white envelopes and let him or her add stickers to the back of them as well. Help the child fold the papers to fit the envelopes and wrap raffia or ribbon around the stacked stationary, ready for gift giving.
Unique Picture Frame
Easy pictures frames can be made from odds and ends of ribbons, buttons, foam pieces, dried fruit and flowers, and even small puzzle pieces. Start with a simple wooden picture frame purchased from a discount store and remove the glass or plastic piece that protects the picture. Have the child spread clear drying glue over the parts of the frame he or she wants to decorate and let creativity take over. Once the frame is dry, put the glass or plastic piece in again and give the frame as a gift displaying a photo of the child or a picture drawn by the little artist.
Toddlers learn so much by making gifts for others such as working on their fine motor skills, learning about the joy of giving and gaining a sense of accomplishment from finishing a project. What great skills to learn while having fun!
Angela Krueger - As an adoptive parent and PRIDE adoption trainer, Angela uses her insights to help others on their adoption journey.
