Cheap Gifts For Kids

Sometimes homemade cheap gifts for kids are better than things you can buy for them.

By using your imagination and materials you have at home, plus some inexpensive items you buy, you can make many frugal toys and craft kits for your youngsters.

Most of these cheap gifts for kids can be enjoyed by both boys and girls, but be sure to look at the other kids gift pages for ideas that may be adapted for your child.

Make magic sand with sand, water and Scotchguard spray. This fascinating project will absorb your child for long periods.

Make a PVC pipe building set with lengths of PVC pipe and connectors. Old sheets and blankets, with clothespins to help hold them in place are great covers for houses.

I gave my grandsons a set when they were 3 and 5 and they LOVED it! They built houses, tunnels, spider webs, crutches (to play Doctor) and all kinds of wonderful things.

Make a large, round wood button with 2 holes, or buy a large plastic one. Run a sturdy string (about 30 to 36 inches long) through one hole and back through the other, and tie the ends.

Slip one hand in each end of the string with the button between them. Twirl the button till the string is well twisted, and then put your hands together and pull them apart while making the button spin like a noisy, whirly buzzsaw.

Cut craft foam or sponges into fun shapes of different colors. Dampen them, and they will stick to the sides of the tub and shower walls.

Make a fun bath set gift with fun tub shapes and bathtub crayons or bathtub paints.

Playing with bathtub crayons will keep your child in the tub until he/she is good and clean. They are made with soap, water, and food coloring.

Make this fun magical snow globe soap for kids. They will want to use it to get to the middle.

Stitch this easy craft foam turtle soap bath toy with a bar of soap inside. Create other shapes, as well.

Kids will love washing with soap that has an insect or snake inside waiting to be let free from this homemade treasure soap.

Use a sturdy fabric to sew this fun child's tool belt, which can hold workshop tools, kitchen utensils or art tools.

Buy a $1 shower curtain liner at the dollar store and draw and color a village with Sharpies to create a shower curtain village play mat.

I made some with large pieces of white sheets left over from making drapes. I used craft paints to paint large grass, dirt or water areas.

What kid wouldn't love to test a boomerang! Make this cardboard boomerang with soft pliable cardboard, such as a cereal box.

Use popsicle sticks and ribbons to make these fun rhythm ribbons that kids can use when moving to music.

Make a DIY Kids car for under $10 with some cardboard boxes and self adhesive book covering. Or create a Fire Engine or train.

No tutorial for this cute fire truck, but it is easy to see how it is done with cardboard boxes and paper plates.

SBI!