Here are treats for kids, both little and big, to make and to buy! Making something magical for a kid is sure to be one of the most rewarding things you do all year. (Be sure to check out our other gift guides this year, as well as our gift guides in 2010 and 2009.)
Plush Toys: Make
Design your own, using this clever tutorial teaching the basics of soft toy design. Your imagination is the limit!
Design your own soft toy, free!
Plush Toys: Buy
If you don’t have the time or interest, here are two particularly charming plush toys. This rascally bandit rabbit stole my heart!
Gorgeous Francois the White Rabbit plush, $80
This cheery dachshund would put a smile on anyone’s face:
Wiener Dog Plush Dachshund, $28
Rattles and Teethers: Make
Give your little one a taste for nature early on:
Three Tree Rattles Crochet Pattern, $5.95
Rattles and Teethers: Buy
I love the clever finger holes in this owl-shaped teether:
Wood Owl Teether, $14
Books: Make
Whip Up has a fabulous series of downloadable, printable mini mags for kids, full of projects related to a theme. The November issue is Sticks and Stones, with instructions for clever projects related to wood and rocks, but previous themes include Chalk and Cheese (science experiments and outdoor art and craft) and Zap and Zest (electricity and citrus–got to love it!).
Whip Up’s Action Pack, $5 per e-Mag
Books: Buy
Tina Barrett’s book is chock full of adorable prehistoric creatures (assuming that’s not a contradiction in terms). They’d be a breeze for advanced knitters, but it explains techniques for beginners, too. From the roaring T-Rex to the frilly Triceratops, I can’t imagine any kid not being excited to receive one of these. (Or better yet, the book, with a promise to eventually knit them all!)
Knitted Dinosaurs by Tina Barrett, $17
Kits:
Learn soft circuits with your child; when the elephants snuggle their trunks, the LED lights up!
Soft Circuit Elephant Kit, $18 in the Maker Shed
I love this cozy crock-from-a-sock kit (fun to do for or with a kid!):
Sockodile Kit, $12 in the Maker Shed
In the Maker Shed:
Want more? Stop by the Make Shed. We’ve got all sorts of great holiday gift ideas: Arduino & Arduino accessories, electronic kits, science kits, smart stuff for kids, back issues of MAKE & CRAFT, box sets, books, robots, kits from Japan and more.
Holiday Shipping Deadlines in December:
December 14 Last Day to place orders shipped via USPS
December 19th Last Day to place orders shipped via 3-Day freight
December 20th Last Day to place orders shipped via 2-Day freight
December 22nd Last Day to place orders shipped via priority overnight Saturday delivery
Note: We guarantee delivery by Christmas when ordering by the above deadlines, except for USPS, where we simply cannot guarantee. However, we feel reasonably certain based on experience that orders placed on that day will be delivered by Christmas via USPS.
And of course, Gift Certificates and MAKE subscriptions are always available – even on Christmas Day!
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