Handmade Holiday Gifts by Toddlers | Keystone Childcare

/ Early Childhood Development, Parents and Children, Sensory Development / By

The holiday season is officially here, and what better way to celebrate than by creating meaningful, handmade gifts with your little ones! Gifts made by your toddlers and babies—with some parental guidance—can be the most treasured mementos. They capture a moment in time and showcase your child’s unique developmental stage.

Here are a few simple, safe, and adorable craft gift ideas that are perfect for a family with toddlers and babies to make for loved ones!

For the Baby (Ages 6–18 Months)

These crafts are all about capturing their tiny features and generally make a small mess for a quick clean up.

Salt Dough Hand print Ornaments

This is a classic for a reason! It’s a beautiful way to capture the exact size of your baby’s hand or foot. Tip: Do this while they are calm or even sleeping!

Materials Needed

  • 1 cup flour
  • ½ cup salt
  • Rolling pin
  • Straw (to make a hole)
  • Ribbon or twine
  • Acrylic paint or washable paint
  • Clear sealer or Mod Podge (optional)

Instructions

  1. Make the dough: Mix flour, salt, and warm water until a dough forms.
  2. Roll out: Roll dough to about ½ inch thick.
  3. Create shape: Cut out a circle with a bowl or large cookie cutter.
  4. Add hand print: Gently press your toddler’s hand into the dough to leave a deep print.
  5. Add hanging hole: Use a straw to poke a hole near the top.
  6. Bake: Place on a baking sheet and bake at 250°F (120°C) for 2–3 hours until hard.
  7. Paint: Once cool, let your toddler paint the ornament.
  8. Seal & hang: Seal with Mod Podge if desired and add ribbon.
  9. Add the child’s name and the year on the back.

Finger-Painted Photo Frame Gift

Perfect for gifting to family and totally toddler-made.

Materials Needed

  • Wooden or cardboard photo frame (from a dollar store or craft store)
  • Washable paints
  • Large paintbrush or sponge
  • Photo of your child
  • Baby wipes / damp cloth

 

Instructions

  1. Prepare frame: Remove the photo insert and set the blank frame on a covered surface.
  2. Paint: Let your toddler decorate the frame with finger paint or dab it with paint and a sponge.
  3. Dry: Allow it to dry completely.
  4. Insert photo: Place a favorite picture of your toddler inside.

Canvas Footprint Art

A simple canvas can be transformed into a beautiful piece of modern art!

Materials: Small canvas, non-toxic, washable acrylic paint (use complementary colors like red/green or blue/silver), paint brush.

  1. Paint a thin, even layer of one color onto the baby’s foot.
  2. Press the foot firmly but gently onto the canvas.
  3. Clean the foot immediately!
  4. Let the print dry completely.
  5. Idea: Turn the footprint into a reindeer (add antlers and a red nose!) or a snowman (use white paint).

For the Toddler (Ages 18 Months–3+ Years)

Toddlers love to explore textures, color, and have a sense of pride in their art work. These crafts let them take the lead!

Hand print Christmas Tree Card

Materials Needed

  • Green washable paint- Use non-toxic, washable paints
  • Brown washable paint or a brown marker
  • Yellow paper or sticker for the star
  • Small colorful dot stickers (optional for ornaments)
  • White card stock or folded construction paper
  • Paintbrush
  • Baby wipes / damp cloth

Instructions

  1. Prepare the card: Fold the card stock to make a card.
  2. Paint the hand: Brush green paint onto your toddler’s hand.
  3. Stamp the tree: Press the hand print onto the front of the card with fingers pointing downward (the hand print will form the tree branches).

    • Repeat 2–3 overlapping prints to make a fuller “tree.”
  4. Add the trunk: Draw or paint a small brown rectangle at the base.
  5. Decorate: Let your toddler add dot stickers as ornaments and place a star sticker at the top.
  6. Dry: Allow to dry completely.

Cotton Ball Snowman

Materials Needed

  • Cotton balls
  • Paper plate or white construction paper
  • Glue stick or non-toxic school glue
  • Googly eyes or paper cutouts
  • Orange paper triangle for the nose
  • Scrap paper shapes for buttons, scarf, and hat

Instructions

  1. Prepare the base: Draw or cut out a simple snowman shape on paper OR use the paper plate as the snowman’s body.
  2. Add glue: Help your toddler smear glue onto the snowman area.
  3. Stick cotton balls: Let them press cotton balls all over the glued area.
  4. Decorate:

    • Add eyes, nose, scarf, hat, and buttons
  5. Dry: Let the project dry before displaying.

Toddler-Safe Holiday Sensory Ornaments (Shatterproof!)

Materials Needed

  • Clear plastic fill-able ornaments
  • Large ribbon pieces or wide strips of tissue paper
  • Large jingle bells (optional, only if safe for your child)
  • Pom-poms (large size)
  • Stickers (optional)

Instructions

  1. Open the ornament: Remove the top of the plastic ornament.
  2. Offer materials: Let your toddler stuff in pom-poms, tissue paper, ribbon pieces, or other soft items.
  3. Add sound (optional): Add one large jingle bell
  4. Close the ornament: Secure the top tightly (you can glue it shut for extra safety).
  5. Decorate the outside: Let them add stickers to the outside.

Painted Holiday Tea Towels or Tote Bags

Materials Needed

  • Plain cotton tea towel OR canvas tote bag
  • Non-toxic fabric paint
  • Paper plate for paint
  • Sponge shapes (stars, trees, hearts, circles) or your toddler’s hand
  • Cardboard to place inside the fabric to prevent paint bleeding through

Instructions

  1. Prep fabric: Lay the towel or bag flat and slide cardboard inside.
  2. Stamp shapes: Dip sponge shapes in fabric paint and help your toddler stamp them onto the fabric.

    • Hand print option: Paint your toddler’s hand and press it onto the fabric for a keepsake.
  3. Add details: You can add “2025” or the child’s name with a fabric marker (optional).
  4. Dry: Let dry according to paint instructions (usually 24 hours).
  5. Tie with a ribbon and pair with a small baked treat or candle.

Remember, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s connection!

We can’t wait to hear about the wonderful creations your little artists make this season. Are you still looking for your child’s new daycare center? Schedule a tour to learn more about Keystone Childcare today. Happy crafting and Happy Holidays!