Gifts are a delight for toddlers. They do not just love receiving them but they also want to make them. Having your toddler make presents will emphasize the fact that time, kindness and effort are just as precious as store-bought presents. Here are some suggestions for gifts kids can make with a little help from their parents.

Alphabet Crayons

What You Will Need

• Small, broken or old crayons with the wrappers removed
• Letter molds
• Baking sheet

Directions

• Set the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes. Preheating the oven makes the crayons dissolve faster and more evenly.
• Break each crayon into tiny pieces and fit them into the letter molds. You can either pile them according to color or mix the crayons together.
• Place the molds into the baking sheet and then put the sheet into the preheated oven for 10 minutes or until the crayons are fully melted.
• Take the baking sheet out of the oven and let it cool for a minute or two. Turn the letter mold upside down to pop them out. Be careful not to break them.
• Wrap them along with a cute notebook in a clear plastic wrapper and tie it up with a ribbon.

Homemade Cards

What You Will Need

• Blank pieces of paper (can be bond paper, art paper or construction paper)
• Art Materials (crayons, markers, paint, sponges, buttons, yarns, etc.)
• Pen
• Scissors

Directions

• Fold the paper in half horizontally. Trim the edges with scissors until paper is of the same size.
• Let your toddler decorate it with whatever he wants.
• Ask your toddler to write a thoughtful message.

Picture Frames

What You Will Need

• A picture of the person who will receive the gift
• Plain wooden picture frame
• Acrylic paint
• Acrylic varnish
• Paint brush
• Foam letters
• Glue

Directions

• Pick a color that complements the photo and the design.
• Paint the picture frame with a base coat of white so the color will stand out better.
• Let it dry and then coat with acrylic varnish.
• Once dry, glue foam letters to the frame.
• Set aside to dry again and then insert the photo.

Ink Blot T-shirt

What You Will Need

• Plan t-shirt
• Fabric paint
• Poster board or cardboard
• Scissors

Directions

• Put the t-shirt over the poster board or cardboard.
• Make a line down the left side of the shirt on the board to create your cutting line.
• If the board is too big, cut it to make sure it is the same size with the shirt.
• Take the board out of the shirt and fold it in half, lengthwise. Put the board back in the shirt.
• Let your toddler paint whatever he likes. Your toddler does not have to follow a pattern.
• Once done, fold the shirt in half and then carefully open it.
• Let it dry (only take out the board once the shirt is dry).

Marshmallow Swizzle

What You Will Need

• 200g marshmallows
• 4oz chocolate milk
• Chocolate strands
• Sprinkles

Directions

• Mash the chocolate into pieces. Place them in a bowl over a pan of boiling water and leave until melted.
• Dip marshmallows into melted chocolate to coat. Shake off any excess chocolate.
• Dust marshmallows with chocolate strand and sprinkles to cover marshmallows completely.
• Put them in the fridge for 30 minutes to set.
• Wrap them in a small decorative jar.

Letting your toddler make his own gifts is not only fun. It can help boost your toddler’s creative skills and make your toddler realize that gift-giving does not have to be expensive.

Valentine’s day is not just for couples, this day is for toddlers too. Valentine’s day is a wonderful time to teach your toddler about love, gratitude and empathy. Here are some fun toddler activities to try this Valentine’s day that will surely keep the two of you busy all day long.

Valentine’s Day Kiddie Party

Nothing makes this special day more extraordinary by holding a party. Make a list of children you want to invite. Send Valentine’s invitation cards. Plan your menu, music as well as the activities the children will be doing. Together with your toddler, decorate the room with heart-shaped or red and pink balloons, whirls, wall accents, drapes and cupids.

Homemade Crafts

Nothing is cuter and sweeter than homemade Valentine’s crafts made by your little angel. Of course, the classic Valentines card should be on top of your toddler’s to-do list. Spice it up by buying plain card stocks, patterned paper, buttons, ribbons, strings, doily, stickers, markers and crayons and then let him embellish it as he fits. Write a sweet verse on the card or cute one-liners such as “You are my Valentine.”, “Sealed with a kiss.” or “Cute as a button.”. and then ask him to sign his name.

Another great idea is to create homemade refrigerator stick-ons. Paint small wooden hearts or ask your toddler to swirl and slap finger paints on a white poster board and let it air dry. Then, cut out heart shapes and attach a double-sided tape on the back of each one and write a quirky sentiment. Glue the magnet on the back and you have a charming tool to display notes and photos.

Baking

Now is the best time to indulge your toddler’s sweet tooth (and yours as well). Whip up a charming and yummy treat together. Find a sugar cookie recipe and use heart shaped cookie cutters to form a heart and then have him decorate them with anything his heart desires (red frosting, edible marker, sprinkles, chocolate chips, etc.). While you are at it, tell your toddler how much you love him or how you are thankful that he is doing well in school.

Sing A Song

While you are doing things together, why not belt out a tune. Choose a fun song and change the words to a specific name and so on. Here are some songs you can sing with your little one:

Be My Valentine (to the tune of Mary Had A Little Lamb)

You’re a special friend of mine,

Friend of mine, friend of mine.

You’re a special friend of mine.

Please be my Valentine.

Heart (to the tune of B-I-N-G-O)

There is a shape, it stands for love,

And heart is its name.

H-E-A-R-T (3x)

And heart is its name.

Play Games

A day before Valentine’s day, cut out a bunch of colorful hearts. Hide them around the house and ask your toddler to look for them the next day. You can make a collage and hang it in his room once he has recovered them.

Or, you can also play “Memory Game”. Paste multi-colored hearts with notes such as “I love you.”, “Be mine.”, etc. (make sure you make 2 of each) in index cards. Place them face-down and then ask your toddler to find their matches. Use a timer to make it more exciting.

Valentine’s day is one special day to create memories with your toddler. These ideas will make your bonding and expression of love even sweeter.

Toddlers are naturally creative. With their inquisitive mind and knack for creating things, encouraging them helps them discover their aesthetic tastes. Not only is arts and crafts a productive activity to do during their playtime but it also serves as the best way to boost their mental, motor and social skills. Make craft making exciting by stashing your home with these child-friendly craft supplies.

Scissors

Scissors can be found in every area of the house. Stocking up on scissors is a great idea especially since toddlers constantly misplace them. Make sure you buy the right type of scissors for your toddler’s age and skill. Safety scissors are child-friendly. Remember to keep your gardening shears and kitchen scissors out of reach as your toddler may play with it when you are not looking.

Glue

Get your toddler different types of adhesive tools. White glue or all-purpose craft glue is perfect when your little one is working with hard-to-stick objects like glitter and popsicle sticks. Glue dots are easy to use, keeps things intact, does not make a mess and are available at most craft shops. Glue sticks are less messy than white glue and they dry quickly making them very practical to use especially if your child is an impatient crafter. Make sure to stock up on glue sticks since you need to use a lot to make them stick. Also, do not forget to close the lid tight since it quickly dries out.

Crayons

The classic favorite of children, crayons are the best writing tool for little hands. Crayons are available in small and chunky sizes that come in 10, 24, 75 and 100 different colors. It is best to have both so your toddler will have plenty of choices. For safety purposes, opt for washable crayons so walls, tiles and cabinets can be easily cleaned.

Markers

Aside from crayons, markers are another must-have item. These craft pens can instantly add life to a dreary drawing. Buy washable markers and prioritize quality over price. High-quality markers present brighter shades and they last longer.

Craft Foam Sheets

Never forget to stock up on craft foam sheets. They are one of the newest and most fun types of craft supplies. They come in bright colors, are quite sturdy, playable and easy to cut, glue and write on. Plus, your child can loop and twist them into fun shapes; a great foundation for many works of art. Use Super Hold Foamies Craft Foam Glue to stick items onto the foam sheets. This foam glue can bond cardboard, paper, plastic and wood, satisfying your toddler’s thirst of creating masterpieces. For starters, get the 12 by 18 inch Assorted Craft Foam Sheets. This value pack comes with 12 different colored foam sheets (black, blue, green, red, white and yellow). For craft projects requiring assorted cut-out shapes, Foamie Craft Foam Football and Basketball Cutout and Foamie Craft Foam Team Spirit Shapes (letters, numerals and tiny t-shirts) are perfect to use.

Pipe Cleaners

Another must-have kid’s craft supply, pipe cleaners or chenille stems are the perfect companion to keep your toddler busy during rainy days. You and your toddler can create countless projects with pipe cleaners. Just search the internet for help. Pipe cleaner sets like Assorted Giant Pipe Cleaners comes with 7 different easy-to-follow projects, Assorted Bright Neon Pipe Cleaners are excellent for constructing figures and Bright Multicolor Pom Pom and Chenille Stem Kit contains 12 pipe cleaners in a variety of bright colors, feathers, pom poms and wiggly eyes.

Paper

Bond paper, art paper and construction paper are staples in every home. Get them in different colors. Again, it’s more sensible to buy high-quality paper since they are easy to fold and does not tear too easily providing enough structure for your toddler’s origami projects.

Googly Eyes

Googly eyes are the perfect finishing to a fun art project. Googly eyes, also called as wiggly eyes can be added to just about anything such as buttons, foams, fabrics, frames, paper, popsicle sticks, paper plates, plastic cups and so on. Paste On Neon Googly Eyes adds an exciting touch to any work of art. Just attach them with glue dots or glue sticks to secure them tight and watch those funny eyes look left, right and roll.

Ribbons

Ribbons are cheap, so it is safe to buy them in every color imaginable. You can choose from organza, grosgrain and satin to create beautiful bag handles, ribbon belts, clips, headbands and fashion jewelry.

Arts and crafts are the best way to unleash your toddler’s artistic skills. It is the best activity where your toddler can learn by simply observing and creating. Toddler crafts need not be expensive. Just use your imagination and make the most out of the things you already have at home. The following are some of the most popular toddler craft ideas you and your child can do together.

Alphabet Collage Book

You will need:

• Printable alphabet templates
• Heavy paper
• Crayons
• Markers
• Magazines
• Ribbon
• Hole puncher
• Scissors
• Glue stick

For every page, place a different letter of the alphabet. Paste each alphabet template on the heavy paper. For extra appeal, cut pictures in the magazines that represent each letter. Once done, fasten all of the pages together and secure it with a paper fastener or a pretty ribbon.

Collage

You will need:

• Card stock
• Magazines
• Newspapers
• Glue
• Scissors

Let your toddler take control of his collage. He can place anything he likes on the card stock. Start by cutting out pictures of his favorites (e.g. things, cartoon character, place, animal, etc.). Combine all the cut out images together and paste. Or, why not make a pattern he can follow. Draw a big tree or a racetrack and have him fill up the spaces with pictures.

Color Mixing

You will need:

• Paint (in different shades)
• Bond Papers

Paint your toddler’s hands two different colors. He can simply imprint the colors onto the paper. Let him rub his hands together to combine the color. Again, print the mixed color onto the paper so your toddler can see the change of colors. Color mixing is an easy toddler craft idea which allows your toddler to recognize the concept of the color spectrum.

Greeting Cards

You will need:

• Colorful construction papers
• Scissors
• Glue
• Markers and crayons
• Embellishments (beads, glitters, pictures, etc.)

Make a greeting card for birthdays, weddings, holidays and other special occasions. Just simply fold a special paper (see to it is thick enough so it can stand) into half and let your toddler decorate away. Make sure to leave space for your personal message.

Masks

You will need:

• Mask templates
• Hard paper
• Glue or Paste
• String
• Colors and Markers

Another popular craft idea for children, making masks is fun because it lets your toddler role play and pretend that he is someone else by wearing the mask he made. Go through children’s websites that have printable mask patterns. Print different templates so your toddler can choose from a wide selection. Let your toddler color his mask. Help him cut the eye holes. For a sturdier support, paste the mask under a construction paper or a cardboard. Punch holes on opposite sides and string a thread or ribbon.

Play Dough

To add more fun, instead of buying clays in toy stores, both you and your toddler can make your own play dough’s.

You will need:

• 2 cups of flour
• 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cups of warm water
• 1 cup of salt
• Food coloring

Mix all of these together under low heat until the dough thickens and resembles mashed potatoes. Knead and add food coloring. Your little one can simply shape the clay into various shapes and sizes by just cutting the play dough to tiny pieces using a plastic toy knife or scissors. Your toddler can have the grandest time scooping, molding and poking dough’s. You may also use cookie cutters to add shape to your clay.