As we get closer to Christmas, my son Miles keeps talking about Santa and the presents he is getting. He is 4 so it’s the first year he can really anticipate Christmas and is getting crazy excited.  It’s cute and all….I love experiencing the wonder and magic of the holiday through my boys’ eyes. But it did make me reflect on how we should also focus on the giving aspect of the holiday as well.

The idea of creating something with a few craft supplies and lots of love and intention really embodies what gift giving is all about.  We started this last year and the family loved receiving gifts for the boys. They made these adorable painted magnets and handed them to all their relatives at Christmas.

As I started to search for gifts toddlers can make, I wanted to capture some of these ideas to reference in years to come!

Related: The 31 Best Toddler Gift Ideas & The Ultimate List of Preschool Gift Ideas

• Painted Fridge Magnets– We made these last year and they were a hit! I got little square canvases at Michael’s as well as a pack of circle magnets.  Both of my boys painted them and Miles also painted a strip of wrapping paper inspired by this site.  Highly recommend.

• Hand painted candle holders can be done in so many different ways.  These are also inexpensive and can be put in various places around the house.
• Melted Bead Suncatchers are absolutely beautiful.  Very simple to make and would be a unique gift for a loved one to receive.
• DIY Snowman Button Art is a little more intricate than the other projects, but looks like fun! You can get buttons at thrift stores or use what you have around the house.

• Fingerprint Lights Photo Frame needs a lot of parent preparation.  But the keepsake of having your baby’s fingerprints in such a cute way is so worth it!
• Nail Varnish Marbled Coasters look like something you would buy in a store! Easy and look amazing when done. I also like that you could pick the colors that would match the recipients’ decor.
• Wooden Bead Bracelets are a great beginner jewelry project.  Works on fine motor skills and creativity!
• Taped Canvas Art adds a nice dimension to regular toddler painting. 🙂  Adding tape strips can create many different design ideas, making each gift different.  I followed a technique like this to make over our play table and loved the result.

2019 Update: We made these fingerprint keychains last year and they were a hit!

• Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments– Again, any reason to keep those little handprints forever is a win in my book.  There is an extra level of sentimentality in gifts like this and would be really loved by grandparents and other family members.
• Finger Print Key Chains are a similar project but use clay and make key chains so your loved ones can carry their precious gifts around with them. These are also painted which adds a nice touch.
• Plastic Perler Bead Bowls are beyond precious.  And soo easy! You’d have to monitor the end result but your kids can lay out the beads in any design or color they would like.
• Handprint Aprons– Perfect for the chefs in your family to have a little piece of their loved ones with them.

• Clay Footprint Bowls make adorable keepsakes of your baby or toddler’s footprints. You can use as jewelry holders or for keys or anything else you’d like.
• Calming Lavender Lotion Bars require only 3 ingredients and are a truly easy but unique gift that your kids can help you make.
• Fizzy Scented Bath Bombs have a few more steps then some of the other gifts on this list.  But if you are up for doing a fun simple science project, these relaxing bath bombs would be a hit for many family members.
• Painted Mosaic Styrofoam Frames add a colorful and fun touch to gifting photos. Pictures of loved ones never go out of style so gifting them in a homemade frame adds an extra special touch.

• Fingerprint Art Necklaces or Keychains are made with simple heart shaped thumbprint designs and pendant jewelry supplies.
• Watercolor Bookmarks– my kids love love to paint and use watercolors. So turning them into accessories that can be used practically make perfect gifts.
• Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix is a tasty and decadent treat. I received one last year on Christmas and enjoyed every bit!
• Handpainted Trivets adds a fun element to a commonly bland kitchen accessory.  Can use the tape painting technique to create different designs.

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