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20 Inexpensive Homemade Gifts for Kids

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This fun collection of easy to make homemade gifts for kids will not only save you money, they are unique and sure to be loved and enjoyed! Perfect for Christmas gifts, birthday gifts or just because. 

Homemade Gifts for Kids

There are affiliate links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my full disclosure policy.

If you are looking for some great, inexpensive homemade gift ideas to make for children, then you are at the right place!

I had so much fun creating this collection and made sure that each of the ideas was something that my own children would enjoy.  I also tried to choose things that were easy to make so that pretty much anyone could create them without too much trouble.  Because if you are like me, unless it is easy, you won’t get it done!

Enjoy!

20 Inexpensive Homemade Gifts for Kids

Homemade Gift Ideas for Kids

1. Bath Crayons from Glimmer and Grit
Kids usually love to play in the tub when it’s bath time and these bath crayons are a fun idea for tub time play!  This recipe uses glycerin soap, but if you’d prefer, here’s a tutorial on making bath crayons with Ivory instead.

Homemade Gifts for Kids

2.  Child’s Tool Belt from Make It and Love It
This tool belt is easy to make and I can’t imagine a little boy that wouldn’t be thrilled with it!  In fact, when our son was younger my husband had an old, worn tool belt that he let my son play with and it was a favorite toy.

Add these Black and Decker Tools for kids and you have yourself a fantastic gift!

Homemade Gifts for Kids

3.  Wooden Food from The Sew*er, The Caker, The CopyCat Maker
Scrap wood turned into cute play food?  Yes, please!  And you can even download the printable labels for free!

Homemade Gifts for Children

4.  Miniature Marshmallow Gun from The Idea Room
This simple little miniature marshmallow gun would be a huge hit with my 6 yr. old!  Isn’t it just the perfect thing for a little boy?  What a great way for them to enjoy “hunting” without having to worry about someone getting hurt.

Homemade Gift Ideas for Girls

5.  Doll Diapers and Wipes from Craftaholics Anonymous
If you have a little girl that loves playing doll, you know that these adorable doll diaper and wipes would be the most popular thing ever!  In fact, it’s kind of making me wish that I was a little girl again!  🙂

Cheap Homemade Gifts for Kids

6.  Mini Foosball Table from U Create
Is this mini foosball table not the coolest thing?  I love that it doesn’t take up much space, is sized perfectly for little hands and is super simple to make from just a shoebox, clothespins, dowel rods, pretty paper and plastic toy golf balls!

DIY Gifts for Kids

7.  Portable Lego Tray from Somewhat Simple
This is just a really cool idea!  And I was surprised to find that the Lego trays are actually very inexpensive on Amazon.  (You might want to read the reviews on the site though.  It seems that maybe the measurements of the tray vary a bit.)

DIY Gifts for Kids

8.  Fort Kit by Saltwater Kids
Can you imagine the hours of fun this fort kit would provide?  And it can be made super inexpensively buy finding most of the supplies at thrift and dollar stores!

Cheap DIY Gifts for Kids

9.  Fleece Tie Pillows from Blossoms and Posies
For some reason, most kids think it is just awesome to have their very own pillow.  These fleece pillows are cozy and super easy to create.  In fact, they are simple enough that older kids can make them.

Homemade Gifts for Kids

10.  Memory Game from Supply Me
I love how this simple memory game teaches shapes and colors while also providing lots of fun!  It’s super inexpensive to make too.  (Amazon has round wood discs for a great price if you aren’t sure where to find them!) 

If you would like a more personalized version, check out this memory game that uses photos.  Super cute!

Homemade Gifts for Boys

11.  Wooden Snap Blocks from I Can Teach My Child
I think these wooden snap blocks would inspire lots of creativity!  You could easily just buy this wood block set and use a handful of blocks from it.

Frugal Gift Ideas for Kids

12.  Felt Pizza from Lemon Tree Creations
Toy food is always a favorite thing to play with, and this pizza made from felt is so cute and fun.  It’s a great way to inspire creative play!

Homemade Gift Ideas for kids

13.  Drums from A Beautiful Mess 
I love the idea of re-purposing old cans to make these cool drums!

The most expensive supply will be the leather but you should be able to get that fairly inexpensively at a store like Joann’s.  In fact, Amazon even has some faux leather for reasonably cheap.

Homemade Gifts for Kids- inexpensive and easy

14.  Clothespin Wrap Dolls from This Heart of Mine
These are just simply darling!  Both my son and daughter would have fun playing with them and I’m thinking they would be great for travel or quiet play.

Not sure where to find the clothespins?  Amazon has a 6 pack that would work perfectly!

Homemade Gifts for Children- easy DIY

15.  Stick Horses from Lia Griffith
What a darling creation!  I never knew stick horses were so easy to make.  If you want another version that uses a sock, this one from Red Ted Art will give you more inspiration.

16.  Dishtowel Apron from Live Free Creative Co
Want to encourage creativity in the kitchen?  This sweet little apron made out of a dishtowel is not only cute and practical but is also super easy to make!

If you don’t know how to sew, try this no-sew kids apron.  If you need a tea towel, Amazon has a bunch of fun towels that are the perfect size.

Homemade Gifts for Boys- cheap and easy

17.  Play Dough from Domestic Super Hero 
I think you’d have a hard time finding a kid that doesn’t like play dough!  Make the traditional play dough or try some fun varieties like these Gingerbread and Candy Cane versions.

homemade gifts for kids

18.  Messenger Bag from Zaaberry
I think these messenger bags are just adorable!  And I know that both my son and daughter would be thrilled to have one.

My daughter loves bags in general -such a girl!- and my son loves things like this to use to take books and small toys along on trips.

I don’t enjoy sewing that much but the tutorial for this bag is pretty detailed and makes it look quite easy.

Homemade Gifts for Kids

19.  Block Puzzle from Makezine
Use scrap wood to make this fun multi-sided puzzle.  You can personalize it with any design that you want.

In fact, How Does She has a cute puzzle similar to this where she uses a photo to make it.  Really, the possibilities are pretty wide open here!

20.  Animal Ear Headbands from Hart and Sew
Aw, these are just darling and would be so fun and perfect for inspiring creative play!  I love how simple they are to make too!

Looking for other cheap gift ideas?  Check these out.

  • 50 Awesome Gifts for Kids that Cost $10 or Less
  • 50 MORE Awesome Cheap Kid’s Gifts that Cost $10 or Less
  • 40 Frugal Non-Toy Kid’s Gifts that Cost $35 or Less
  • 40 Frugal Gifts for Women that Cost $30 or Less
  • 40 Frugal Gifts for Men that Cost $30 or Less
  • 15 Fun Inexpensive Teacher Gifts
  • 20 Inexpensive Homemade Gift Ideas
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Filed Under: Family, Frugal Gift Ideas, Frugality, Kids Tagged With: cheap gifts, Christmas gift ideas, frugal living, homemade gifts

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Comments

  1. Stephanie, Somewhat Simple says

    December 13, 2014 at 4:57 PM

    Such a fun round up! I just pinned it, thanks for including our Lego tray! Merry Christmas!

    Reply
    • ThriftyFrugalMom says

      December 13, 2014 at 7:05 PM

      Glad you enjoyed it Stephanie! And thanks again for allowing me to use your creative idea! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

      Reply
  2. Liesl (The Homeschool Den) says

    December 13, 2014 at 6:53 PM

    Welcome to your new blogging home! Your site looks lovely!

    Reply
    • ThriftyFrugalMom says

      December 13, 2014 at 7:06 PM

      Thanks Liesl! It’s both exciting and a little scary to start this new phase. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Wanita says

    December 16, 2014 at 11:14 AM

    I might have to try the doll diapers! My girls keep taking off with some from my stash and soon the velcro tabs are ripped off…. Like the blog! 🙂

    Reply
    • ThriftyFrugalMom says

      December 17, 2014 at 3:03 PM

      You have that problem too Wanita? I’m afraid if I make them now, they will still just want to play with the real ones. But I think they are terribly adorable and am definitely keeping them in mind for once we don’t have any of the real diapers floating around.

      Reply
  4. Maria says

    January 5, 2015 at 8:29 AM

    These ideas are so fun, Lydia! Thanks for sharing. 🙂

    Reply
    • ThriftyFrugalMom says

      January 5, 2015 at 8:04 PM

      Glad you liked them, Maria! And as creative as you are, you’ll probably be able to make a few of the ideas and add your own fun twist! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Pratibha soni says

    September 21, 2018 at 7:42 AM

    Wow, my kids will love this idea.Thanks for sharing this information with me. It is very helpful to me.

    Reply
    • ThriftyFrugalMom says

      September 27, 2018 at 5:27 PM

      So glad it could help, Pratibha!

      Reply
  6. Quinn - Quinn95 says

    November 17, 2018 at 7:29 PM

    I was searching around the web for inexpensive things for my nieces and nephews and stumbling on this made all the difference! Thank you so much! 🙂

    Reply
    • ThriftyFrugalMom says

      November 19, 2018 at 2:34 PM

      So glad it could help! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Sera says

    November 22, 2018 at 9:36 PM

    all of the ideas are great, my fav one is playdough! My kids love to play with slime, so I thought why not give them another one 🙂
    If I may add one idea is Santa’s letter, it will be so magical if your kids can receive one, and my fav Santa’s letter web is https://christmaslettersfromsanta.com/how-many-letters

    Happy Christmas, Mommies !!

    Reply
    • ThriftyFrugalMom says

      May 4, 2019 at 12:36 PM

      You pretty much can’t go wrong with playdough, right? It’s always a favorite!

      Reply

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Welcome! I’m Lydia. I love to share easy homemade recipes, simple homemaking tips and great money saving ideas. I want to help you find ways to live well and enjoy life on a budget! Read more…

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