3 Holiday Gifts Your Toddler Can Make

The holidays will soon be here, and you can involve your toddler in the celebrations.

Use this time to start teaching your child about the value of gift giving and its real meaning. Talk to your child about gift giving on different occasions, such as holidays and birthdays. Explain that sometimes people give gifts for no reason other than to say, “Thanks” or “I love you.”

For a grandparent, aunt, uncle or daycare educator, any of these gifts your toddler can make and give from his heart are sure to be met with pleasure and delight. Note:

Use caution when doing arts and crafts. Keep a sharp eye on your toddler when working with small items such as beans and coins, which can be potential choking hazards.

 

Mother Nature Mobile You'll need: sticks and twigs pine cones feathers shells yarn ribbon or bow other objects found in nature Go on a nature hunt and ask your child to collect different objects. Tie pieces of yarn to a big stick you'll use as the base and then tie nature objects on the other end of the yarn pieces. Take one piece of yarn and tie in the middle of the stick to hang by. Stick on a bow.

 

Decorative Beans You'll need: an empty clean jar different types of beans (dried kidney beans, chick peas, lentils, etc.) a piece of colorful cloth (12" x 12") yarn an elastic Place beans in jar by layers until it is filled to the rim. (Make sure your child resists the temptation to mix them together). Screw the lid on the jar tightly. Place the piece of cloth over the lid and fix with the elastic. Cover the elastic with the yarn and tie into a pretty bow.

 

Anything-You-Want Holder Here's a variation to the traditional pencil holder You'll need: an empty and clean round container such as an oatmeal container wallpaper samples and glue or shelf paper Choose a wallpaper sample and cover the container. Place a few polished stones at the bottom to add stability. Depending on who the container is for, you can add a few items in the container and wrap with clear wrapping paper. Ideas to consider: kitchen utensils, candles, combs, brushes, tools and, of course, pens and pencils.

 

Change Container You'll need: an clean, empty film container stickers coins Have your child decorate the film container with stickers and fill it up with some coins. This makes a great gift idea for cousins, young friends or siblings over age 3.

 

Handy Placemats You'll need: 1" paint brush non-toxic paint construction paper clear self-adhesive paper Sit down with your child at the kitchen table. Paint your child's hand (palm to fingertips). Firmly place hand on construction paper to form a handprint. Make as many prints in as many colors as both of you desire, and let dry. Optional: use markers to add information about your child such as: name, date of birth and other facts you'd like to share. Let the paint dry and cover both sides of the construction paper with the clear self-adhesive paper. You can give a single placemat as a centerpiece or in a set of two, four or six. If your child is enjoying the activity you can also hand print an apron, a tray, a plate, a book or a T-shirt.

These holiday gifts allow you to spend one-on-one time with your toddler and give you a chance to teach some of the most basic values: generosity, sharing and love.