Red Ted Art - Make crafting with kids easy & fun

Cute & Easy Crafts for Kids

  • Home
  • START HERE
  • Preschool Crafts
  • Easy Crafts for Kids
  • Paper Crafts
  • Free Printables
  • About
  • Join Our Newsletter
  • Cookies, Privacy Policies & Disclosure

Alternative Gift Ideas: Craft Box

September 14, 2013

I don’t know about you, but out house is full of toys! Toys toys toys. And it is with a little dread that we head into our Birthday and Christmas season – it means yet more toys! Of course I want my children to have wonderful Birthdays and presents form a big part of this. But the growing pile of toys is quite worrying. I also don’t think it is “good for them”. Whilst we were on holiday, they only had a small bag of toys with them and to be honest, they didn’t really need them with us. I think less is more is definitely more when it comes to toys. So, when I am giving to others now, I try and find alternative gift ideas and look at it from a different point of:

Giving the gift of creativity!

The bonus is, that this gift is also a “consumable” – you use it up. Therefore, not adding to the toy mountain in children’s rooms.

The idea, as you have probably guessed is simple: a basic craft box plus (ahem) a copy of my book.

Alternative Gift Idea - Craft Box

Photo by Evgeniyaย Brysyeva

What’s in our BASIC BASIC craft box?

(Pls note: I have added affiliate links to the list, this allows me to earn a cup of coffee and you get to fill your craft box! I have only added links to products I would use!). I often buy bigger packs and divide into gift packs or pick up value deals as I spot them.

  • Scissors (normal, but smaller ones, don’t bother with safety scissors, they don’t work well and will frustrate the child)
  • Paint brush (get a set of varying sizes, I pick them up whenever I see a good deal, even places like IKEA stock them)
  • Basic paints (again, if I see some in my travels I pick them up, I have bought them in IKEA, Hobbycraft, Fred Aldous before, having said that, I have a preference for acrylics (the System 3 brand is affordable), however, if you are gifting the craft set, CHECK with parents first
  • 2-3 Permanent Markers (check with the parents first! But permanent markers are great, as they really do write on everything and convert say an acorn into a little person in seconds, you can draw on acetate sheets and stones… they are very satisfying. Parents may want to store these separately to avoid wall marking disasters)
  • PVA Glue (White glue) (get a GOOD brand, as a GOOD PVA glue makes ALL the difference. My favourite glue is a brand called “Anita’s Tacky Glue“)
  • Masking Tape (not sticky tape – masking tape is great for shaping things like TP Rolls or sticking boxes together AND you can paint over it easily)
  • Googly eyes (they are the best thing you can have for kids crafting. Googly eyes just transform ANYTHING into something fun)
  • Craft foam (I just love it and it it’s is a great addition for decorating something)
  • Coloured card (this can actually replace the card foam or be used in addition)
  • Felt scraps (I got mine from the lovely Zing Zing Tree ebay shop! Scraps are usually sufficient for most of children’s projects. They also teach them about “not wasting” and seeing the value in small bits and pieces)
  • Fabric scraps (yes, even if you are gifting, it is perfectly acceptable to add some fabric scraps – I like to cut up some pieces of old jeans/ shirts etc. Fabric scraps are great for small sewing projects and for making things like Stick Men!)
  • A handful of feathers (well they just look fabulous and kids love them)
  • Some ribbons
  • The special **extra** would of course be a Red Ted Art book (The book is packed with lots of fun and thrifty ideas for all age groups. Nurturing creativity and stimulating your child’s imagination. You can buy it online from amazon.co.uk, internationally from Fishpond ย / Amazon.comย or contact me for signed copies to make the gift truly special and personalised!)

The photo used here shows a nice wicker basket…. but I have given a plain box before and added instructions to “keep me and decorate me”, adding pretty decoupage paper as part of the gift.

Want to JAZZ up your craft box?

  • Glitter glue or loose glitter
  • Buttons
  • Pipecleaners
  • Dolly Pegs
  • Stick on gems/ shapes
  • Beads in all colours, shapes and sizes – like Pony Beads or Perler Beads
  • Large swatches of felt (for sewing projects)
  • A basic sewing kit (I have an adorable one similar to this Cath Kidston Sewing Kit)
  • Glue stick (for paper based projects)
  • Decoupage paper
  • Stuffing for small toys or felt ornament projects

Alternative Gift Idea

Photo by Evgeniyaย Brysyeva

Finally… encourage the child to add some nature or recycled items themselves:

  • Pine cones
  • Acorns
  • Chestnuts
  • Lavender from the garden
  • Apples (for printing)
  • Potatoes (for printing)
  • Loo Rolls for decorating
  • Old newspapers
  • Recycle tissue paper from gifts
  • Corks
  • Walnut shells
  • Dry flowers and leaves

What do you think of this as an alternative gift idea? So far, I have had GREAT feedback from the recipients of our craft boxes!

I know that the list looks LONG, but really, you can pick most of it up at your high street stationary shop. Also, if you have several children to buy for, you can buy in bulk and then divide it up among the different packs.

«
»

Filed Under: Christmas, Gifts, Uncategorized 38 Comments

Comments

  1. Mammasaurus says

    September 14, 2013 at 9:36 am

    Love this idea Maggy!

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      September 14, 2013 at 9:40 am

      Thank you Mammasaurus! I DO hope it inspire people to “Give crafts this Christmas”!!

      Reply
  2. Pinkoddy says

    September 14, 2013 at 10:07 am

    What a fantastic idea – and I can vouch how fantastic the book is for all year round crafts.

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      September 14, 2013 at 10:15 am

      Awww Pinkoddy, thank you!!! Am so pleased you like the book too!!

      Reply
  3. Louise Rogers says

    September 14, 2013 at 10:39 am

    I absolutely love this idea – I will DEFINITELY be doing this this Christmas!

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      September 14, 2013 at 10:41 am

      Oooh wonderful! That makes me so happy to hear!

      Reply
  4. Boo Roo and Tigger Too says

    September 14, 2013 at 11:48 am

    What a truly fabulous idea. Tigger leaves his nursery at Christmas to move up to Pre-School and this would be a great gift to give to his key workers.

    Reply
  5. Carrie @ Crafty Moms Share says

    September 14, 2013 at 12:14 pm

    What a wonderful idea!! I may consider this one.

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      September 15, 2013 at 8:32 am

      Ooh yes do. Craft Gift Sets are always very popular among the kids!

      Reply
  6. Varya @ CWOV says

    September 14, 2013 at 5:09 pm

    Love this post! I’ve been making craft supplies gifts for some time now and now I’ve got even more ideas! Thank you!!

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      September 15, 2013 at 8:31 am

      Brilliant, so pleased!

      Reply
  7. Lou says

    September 14, 2013 at 11:21 pm

    Super idea. Great idea for our childmindees as presents. Good luck with your book.

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      September 15, 2013 at 8:31 am

      Oh yes, wonderful idea for childminders! And thank you!

      Reply
  8. Mum of One says

    September 15, 2013 at 6:57 pm

    I want one!

    Reply
  9. Kate @craftsonsea says

    September 17, 2013 at 7:32 pm

    Love it! I would much rather my son received this than another toy to fill up the over flowing toy box. In fact, can I have an adult one too please?!

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      September 18, 2013 at 7:08 am

      Oh yes! Perfect for adults too!!!!

      Reply
  10. Raquel Rausch says

    September 18, 2013 at 3:08 am

    Gifting creativity? Amazing idea! What kid wouldn’t love paint and craft supplies?

    Reply
  11. Bex @ The Mummy Adventure says

    October 8, 2013 at 8:31 pm

    Such a fab idea, thinking of doing this for all of Dylan’s friends this Christmas

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      October 8, 2013 at 9:16 pm

      Wonderful! So pleased to hear that!! Enjoy spreading the crafty love!

      Reply
  12. Vaidehi @vaichin says

    October 28, 2013 at 9:38 pm

    I absolutely loved the idea of a craft box. I have written a blogpost about our craft box, with a link back to you.
    http://www.ramblingthroughparenthood.com/2013/10/a-crafting-we-will-go.html

    Reply
  13. Sarah says

    November 15, 2013 at 2:37 pm

    I love this idea, I will certainly be doing it, thank you

    Reply
  14. Ali says

    November 21, 2013 at 10:26 am

    This is clearly a winner, I’d love to have received this when mine were smaller, in fact, it would probably work now too to be honest!

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      November 21, 2013 at 11:44 am

      I would have adored it as a child too!!

      Reply
  15. Emma says

    November 11, 2014 at 5:23 am

    love this post!! I’ve got lots of art supplies for my girls this Christmas & had been thinking of giving art supplies for their friends birthdays again this year, this post gives me lots more ideas!! Thanks

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      November 11, 2014 at 9:56 am

      Oooh lovely! I confess, that I often “raid” our craft stash to make up parcels as we do have a lot!!

      Reply
  16. Ruby zhang says

    October 30, 2017 at 1:38 am

    Do you sell chalkboard makers?

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      October 30, 2017 at 10:32 am

      No sorry

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Friday finds – 20th September 2013 | Great British Family says:
    September 20, 2013 at 9:06 am

    […] an art project for kids inspired by Joan Miro. I also loved their idea of an alternative (to toys) gift of a craft box. There is a lot of sensory play and arts and crafts on parent blogs but imaginary play should not […]

    Reply
  2. This Weekend | Dejlige Days says:
    September 27, 2013 at 7:22 pm

    […] to a child’s party? This is a gift parents will […]

    Reply
  3. 5 Homemade Christmas Ornaments for Children to Make - Festive Friday! - thinlyspread.co.uk says:
    November 15, 2013 at 11:58 am

    […] going to give โ€œThe Gift of Creativityโ€. The idea is to create โ€œBasicโ€ and โ€œJazzed upโ€ Craft Kits that you can put together yourself โ€“ and then, if you wish, add a copy of Red Ted Art: The Book […]

    Reply
  4. {Guest Post} 5 Fabulous Loo Roll Crafts from Red Ted Art - Domestic GoddesqueDomestic Goddesque says:
    November 17, 2013 at 5:40 pm

    […] going to give โ€œThe Gift of Creativityโ€. The idea is to create โ€œBasicโ€ and โ€œJazzed upโ€ Craft Kits that you can put together yourself โ€“ and then, if you wish, add a copy of Red Ted Art the book […]

    Reply
  5. Themed Hampers and Gift Ideas | Kids Chaos says:
    November 20, 2013 at 10:08 pm

    […] Redtedart.com’s Craft Hamper […]

    Reply
  6. Gorgeous Gift Ideas – Homemade | A Little Bird told me... says:
    November 22, 2013 at 11:12 am

    […] of adding to the Toy Mountain this year. The idea is to create โ€œBasicโ€ and โ€œJazzed upโ€ Craft Kits that you can put together yourself โ€“ and then, if you wish, add a copy of Red Ted Art the book […]

    Reply
  7. Hamp it up: alternatives to the traditional Christmas HamperDomestic Goddesque says:
    November 29, 2013 at 2:44 pm

    […] will make a wonderful Pamper Hamper, for example or fill a box with craft supplies to make a Craft Gift Box like Red Ted […]

    Reply
  8. Top Five Christmas Crafts From Red Ted Art | Mum Of One says:
    December 8, 2013 at 4:47 pm

    […] going to give โ€œThe Gift of Creativityโ€. The idea is to create โ€œBasicโ€ and โ€œJazzed upโ€ Craft Kits that you can put together yourself โ€“ and then, if you wish, add a copy of Red Ted Art the book […]

    Reply
  9. Gifts to buy a Four Year Old Girl - Domestic GoddesqueDomestic Goddesque says:
    February 18, 2014 at 9:44 am

    […] and are always asking to do more. Likewise, pens, pencils, crayons are always useful. You could make your own craft boxย gift, or give a junk modelling […]

    Reply
  10. 20+ isetehtud kingi ideed | Mutukamoos says:
    November 30, 2015 at 4:05 pm

    […] Veidi ideid, mida vรตiks karpi panna. […]

    Reply
  11. Holidays are coming! – Tired Mummy of Two Test says:
    May 25, 2016 at 2:48 pm

    […] and I think I might even try and make some presents for the girls. Maggy recently posted about a fabulous craft box which you can pull together from lots of shops to make one amazing gift. Both of the girls are […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Welcome!

Welcome

Hello! I am Maggy and I love all things crafty and sharing my craft ideas and how tos.

The aim of this site is to provide easy, do-able and fun crafts for all ages.

Categories

Archives

Crafty Blogs

Copyright © 2022 ยท Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs