DIY: Birthday Party Gift

Kelle Hampton is an absolute favorite of ours! Her blog, Enjoying the Small Things, is listed as one of our favorites on our sidebar. She not only maintains her own personal blog, but also blogs for various parenting websites, too. Her recent post on eHow about DIY birthday gifts fascinated me and I thought it was such a great idea! Please click on over to her eHow post, as it's sure to make you chuckle a bit. 

Kelle talks about how difficult it is to stay on top of buying birthday gifts in advance, especially when invited to so many kids' birthday parties. She came up with the genius idea of DIY Birthday Gifts! These kits are appropriate for any age, budget friendly, and a lot of fun to put together.  

Love this idea!!

The Explorer Kit: promotes outside adventure, a love of nature and scientific exploration and observation.

Materials Needed: a small cardboard suitcase or comparable container, a magnifying glass, an insect net, one or two field guide books or tri-fold posters (check your local bookstore for region-specific guides), a blank sketch book and a box of colored pencils

Invite your child to decorate the front of the suitcase for her friend, or help her by drawing or tracing letters for her to color. Write “Nature Journal” on the sketch book or adhere a typed printed page.Tuck everything inside the suitcase and glue on a few plastic bugs for fun if you wish. Your child’s friend (and parents!) will love this thoughtful gift that encourages curiosity and adventure — and your child might love it enough to create a second one to keep at home.

The Spa Kit: everything a girl needs for a night of pampering and fun.

Materials Needed: a small cardboard suitcase or comparable container, a brush, soft headbands (to hold hair back when applying the face mask), homemade face mask, a body wash puff, nail polish (try non-toxic Piggy Paint for little ones who might put their fingers in their mouths), nail stickers, a cute eye mask. You can also throw in a bag of microwave popcorn or some treats to eat during the spa fun.

I love these gift ideas and I truly love that your kids can be involved in making them. What a cute touch and so meaningful!