2018 Holiday Gift Guide – For That Creative Kid

 

Yesterday I shared with you the Holiday Gift Guide For That Crafty Friend. You know, that friend…the one who doesn’t Pinterest fail and prefers Paper Source over Sephora. I hope you found something unique for him or her!

As I was online shopping and researching for Christmas gifts for my kids, I thought maybe I should also put together a gift list for big and little kids who love arts & crafts! After all, I was one of those kids growing up! So after channeling my inner artsy child, here is my 2018 Holiday Gift Guide For That Creative Kid! This list is broken down by ages: 10 and up, between 5 and 10 years old, and 5 and under. I’ll share why I picked these items below.

Kids Ages 10 and Up:

• Silhouette Cameo (link) – Much of my crafting is made possible with my almost 6-year-old Silhouette Cameo. It is a workhorse that can die-cut over 100 materials, including paper, cardstock, heat transfer and adhesive vinyl, as well as fabric up to 12 inches wide. Read more about why I love my Silhouette Cameo and why it’s not expensive.
• Me: A Fill-in Journal (link) – Where was this journal when I was a kid?! It’s colorful, it’s beautifully designed, and it’s the perfect imagination-building gift for that creative kid!
• The Kids’ Book of Hand Lettering (link) – Not only do adults love hand lettering but kids are totally getting into it too! This book teaches lettering techniques and shows how to turn art into a DIY project they will want to show off or gift to their buddies!
• 3D Pen (link) – 3D printers are super pricey and most likely too advanced for kids. So, why not get this 3D pen that can produce similar 3D art objects but with the stroke of your hand? Compact and affordable! Win-win!
• Martha Stewart DIY Weaver Starter Kit (link) – This weaving starter kit is great for beginners with an easy-to-use loom base and moveable pegs. With this kit, your creative kid can make wall hangings or tapestries, and I’m pretty sure he/she would be proud to hang it in their room!
• Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pens (link) – If you’re getting the Kids’ Book of Hand Lettering above, then don’t forget to pick up this set of pens, which includes soft, hard, and twin tip markers.

 

Kids Ages 5 to 10:

• Plus Plus (link) – Hands down one of the best purchased I have made this year as a parent! I bought the tube version (easy for on the go!) for our recent vacation and both my 2 and 5 year old could not stop playing with these colorful building pieces! I love seeing my oldest’s creativity come alive with this toy!
• Wonder Loom (link) – The modern day friendship bracelet maker! With over 600 rubberbands, your creative kid can make a lot of bracelets for his or her friends!
• DIY Card Crafter (link) – I imagine the 1991 version of me would have this kit high on my Christmas wish list. It comes with printed cards, envelopes, and a huge assortment of embellishments (stickers, paper shapes, gems, adhesive foam, wooden stamps, stamp pad, washi tape, twine, glue stick, etc). I’ve always liked getting handmade cards!
• Washi Tape (link) – Start your kiddo’s washi tape collection with these fun colorful tape rolls! It’s much better than finding out they’ve used up all your scotch tape when it’s time to wrap Christmas presents!
• Crayola Twistables Colored Pencils (link) – The kids are so lucky these days with Crayola products, especially this one where they don’t have to sharpen the colored pencils! Brilliant!
• Spirograph (link) – The Spirograph is still one of my favorite gifts I received as a kid! That’s probably why it’s still around and this particular one is their 50th anniversary edition!

 

Kids Ages 5 and under:

• Kinetic Sand (link) – A modern spin on playdough but with “sand”. We bought this for a 6hr roadtrip and it kept our 2-year-old busy! Tip: Store the sand in a large, shallow tupperware (like this one). The long flat bottom lays well on their lap and the shallowness makes it easier to play with on the car ride.
• AquaDoodle (link) – I bought this when my oldest was just 2.5 years old and he STILL plays with it! The large footprint of the mat makes doodling less frustrating and it’s 100% mess-free because it uses just water!
• Honey Sticks (link) – These pure beeswax crayons not only smell nice but also is super ergonomic for little hands. They are made with food grade pigments so safe for your wee one!
• Melissa & Doug Standing Art Easel (link) – Let your little Picasso paint his or her heart out! Since this is double-sided and little clips are included, both my kids can paint at the same time! No sharing, no fighting…that’s a parent win!
• Do a Dot Art! Markers (link) – You can get the little ones into art with these easy to hold and easy to paint dot markers. These non-toxic markers are a great way to develop hand eye coordination and color recognition.
• Playdoh (link) – The classic is a classic for a reason! Playdoh is great for sensory and imaginative play! Tip: Since it’s non-toxic, I pull outa bunch of our cookie cutters and let my kids make pretend cookies.

 

And there you have it…a you-can’t-go-wrong-with-this-list for your artistic child/niece/nephew! What else are you getting for your kids this year?