Making Art Gifts At Home

Looking for meaningful (and doable) gifts for grandparents, aunts & uncles, or teachers? Kids’ art makes the sweetest, most memorable presents — and there are easy ways to do it - some with artwork that you already have!

One Bright Day mom was telling me this week that her son turned the drawings he made in our Tuesday after-school club into a little book, personalized it, and gave it to family at Thanksgiving. So special!

Here are a few other low-stress and lovely ideas you can do at home:

Painted Cardboard Keepsakes

Have kids paint freely on a piece of cardboard, using 1-3 colors (use a metallic for extra shimmer).
Once dry:

• Trace a circle onto your favorite section → cut → hole punch → instant ornament or

• Cut into a rectangle, glue a photo on top, and decorate with stickers or hand-written messages - tape patterned paper and a ribbon hanger to the back

Watercolor “Cookie-Cutter” Art

Trace cookie cutters onto cardstock. Kids color them in with markers, then lightly brush over the coloring with a paintbrush or Q-tip pressed onto a wet sponge — it creates a magical watercolor effect. Add gem stickers for extra bling.

Cut out and turn them into:

• ornaments

• handmade cards

• fridge magnets (just add an adhesive magnetic strip!)

• frame decorations

New Art from Old Art

Take older artwork (or pieces destined for the recycling bin), trace circles onto it using a drinking glass, and cut out 3, 6, or 9 of your favorite sections. Glue them onto a thick piece of paper in a grid pattern, with equidistant space between them, then frame. The result is gorgeous!

We hope these ideas are helpful!