Homemade Gift Ideas Kids Can Make

I love to craft.  I also love it when my kids get involved to help me create something.  Seeing them get excited about their own completed projects is just as rewarding for me.  This year I have encouraged my kids to make items for their family members as gifts this Christmas. As part of our 12 Weeks of Giving tradition, we spent last weekend creating projects that I know will make meaningful gifts.

Thanks to KLUTZ, I was able to help my daughter create string art pictures that she is going to frame for Christmas.  The first one we did together was an owl and it turned out so well.  KLUTZ offers many activity books to help get creative juices flowing.  The books provide inspiration and instructions for kids to learn how to craft various projects.  Plus, the activity books come with all the supplies needed!

To celebrate 12 Weeks of Giving, I’m providing one lucky reader with their own set of KLUTZ activity books to make homemade gifts this season.  Enter the giveaway below!

We received five KLUTZ activity books to put to good use creating homemade gifts.  My daughter is eager to try out the Finger Knitting next.  However, first up was the string art.  It really caught our attention and we were thrilled to see all the beautiful designs.

The feather design will go perfect in my oldest daughter’s room.  Gabby instantly planned to make it for her big sister.

String Art Kit Includes

• Six project boards – small and medium size
• Background paper – different designs to wrap your boards
• Tracing paper – for design template for correctly placed pins
• Pins – to wrap the string around
• Klutz exclusive pin-pushing tool – perfect for kids
• Eight different colors of string – plenty of options to make your project unique

When creating our owl string art, we followed the easy instructions in the book.  This was the first time either of us had made string art before.  The instructions told us if our design was made for a small board or medium size.

Gabby selected the pink background to use behind her owl design.  I wrapped the project board similar to wrapping a present.  Tape did not come with the kit.  You could also use glue, whatever you have in your craft supplies.

Each design has a template in the back of the book for you to trace on the provided tracing paper.  This helps you know exactly where to place your pins.  The pins were easy to add to the board but you want to make sure they stay straight.  The best way to keep them straight is by using your fingers to slightly push the pin into your project board and then use the Klutz pin-pushing tool to push straight down.  Gabby was easily able to do this on her own, once I showed her how.

After your pins have all been placed and evenly pushed down, it is time to remove the tracing paper.  You can just pull it towards you, ripping it out without lifting the pins.

Since Gabby has Cerebral Palsy, this craft served as a form of occupational therapy for her.  The tiny movements with the string between the small gaps in the pins required her to concentrate.  I helped hold the project board while she threaded the string.  I had to tie the knots after each section which just taught her teamwork.  However, I was really proud of her for doing such an amazing job.

The instructions told us in which order to add the string.  Gabby selected the colors she wanted to use for each section.  The wings and top feathers were placed down first so when the head and body was added the strings that connect the two sections would overlap.  It gives the owl a 3D affect, making the wings look like they are attached towards the back.

Next we plan to paint a picture frame, remove the glass and add the completed project board to it.  That way when she presents this owl string art as a gift, it will be framed and ready to sit on a desk.

With so many projects to choose from, KLUTZ kits can help you and your kids make something for everyone on your list — enter for a chance to win your own KLUTZ collection to create handmade gifts this holiday!

One lucky read will receive a set of 5 KLUTZ activity kits, including:

• Shrink & Link Jewelry
• Pop Collage
• String Art
• Finger Knitting
• Make Glitter Clay Charms

*giveaway open to US residents only

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Full Disclosure: Prizing for giveaway and samples for my review were provided by KLUTZ.  All opinions are 100% my own.

Who will you be making homemade gifts with this year?  Do your kids help you create special items for their loved ones?