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home / Blog / Activities / holidays / christmas / 5 cool handmade gifts that tweens love to make

5 cool handmade gifts that tweens love to make

This page may contain affiliate links. Learn More.

November 12, 2015 by Teach Mama 5 Comments

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Let’s face it: we’re all busy–even our kids.

As they get older, they’re juggling homework, activities, sports, lessons, chores (ahem. . . ), and friends, so when our kids carve out the time to create a handmade gift, it really means a lot.

5 cool handmade gifts tweens love to make | teachmama.comBelieve it or not, friends, now isĀ an ideal time to start thinking about the holidays. Ā So we’ve got some cool handmade gifts that tweens will love to make. Really.

Huge thanks to my friends atĀ KlutzĀ who just keep designing these cool books that tweens truly adore. Clear directions, illustrations, and examples will make it so easy for kids to learn these crafts.

And that means our kids will keep their hands busy gift-making while they watch Descendants for the millionth time.

We also have a fun way for you to get your hands on some of these books as well, because I don’t just want you to read about them–I want you to have them!

Here’s the skinny. . .

5 CoolĀ Handmade Gifts That Tweens Will Love to Make:

Create Pop Collage Bookmarks!

5 cool handmade gifts that tweens love to make pop collage bookmarks teachmama.com

These little fun and fab bookmarks take no time at all to create, but they take time to dry because of the Pop Collage glaze you put over top.

You can pretty much Pop Collage anything, but making bookmarks as little gifts is a fun and inexpensive way to make something really useful for a friend or loved one.

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

My kids have always loved small things, so these Pop Collage Bookmarks bring the fun of Pop Collage to a smaller scale.

And bookmarks encourage more reading, right? It’s a win.

If you want to download the bookmark template, you can do that right here:Ā blank bookmarks teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

For gift-giving, consider:

  • name bookmarks for cousins;
  • photo bookmarks for friends;
  • bright bookmarks for older friends;
  • a set of holiday-themed bookmarks;
  • book-inspired bookmarks along with the book that matches!

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

Try some Finger Knitting!

Finger Knitting is so fun–and a lot easier than it seems!

5 cool handmade gifts that tweens love to make finger knitted fringe teachmama.com

Maddy. Loves. Finger. Knitting.

And the things she has created in no time flat are amazing.

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

The Finger Knitting book comes with enough yarn to create over a dozen projects, but the cool thing is that kids will really take this where they want to go, on their own.

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

Maddy made an amazing fringe necklace in one afternoon, just by knitting two long pieces, about 18″ each.

She wove them together, and then she added a fun fringe.

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 cool handmade gifts that tweens love to make finger knitted flower teachmama.com

She also made a beautiful flower that adds a totally fun flare to just about anything. She can use it as an add-on to her backpack, to brighten up a black carry-on, or as a bracelet or pin.

So fun and so pretty.

But best of all? It’s a one-of-a-kind piece!

For gift-giving, consider finger knitting:

  • scarves;
  • boot toppers;
  • hats;
  • flower barrettes or pins.

The possibilities are endless!

Make Mini Pom-Pom Pets!

5 cool handmade gifts that tweens love to make pom pom pet teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

Not even kidding, Mini Pom-Pom Pets are totally addicting to make.

And they’re easy. And these are super for tweens to make for their friends or little cousins. They can create whole Pom-Pom Pet families, put them in a tiny bag, and cousins will love them.

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

We made tons of these little fuzzy pets this summer during a crafty playdate with friends, and each little animal was cuter than the next.

The girls made mice, ducks, chicks, and a fox.

They made bunnies and kittens.

Frogs and fish, bears and some we weren’t really sure of.

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

 

For gift-giving, consider:

  • a little animal family–cats or dogs are easy!
  • tiny monsters with googly eyes;
  • creating pets for dolls;
  • making a mini-farm or zoo;
  • making animals to accompany a book!

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

 

Make some Personalized FriendshipĀ Bracelets!

5 cool handmade gifts that tweens love to make bracelet teachmama.com

These Personalized Friendship Bracelets take a little more time to create, but they are beautiful.

And once kids get the hang of it, they’ll be able to pound these out in the span of one afternoon ‘hangout’ (because tweens don’t have playdates anymore–they ‘hangout’).

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

The Personalized Friendship Bracelet book shows you in clear, simple steps how to add letters, shapes, and a whole lot of awesome into those knotted bracelets we all used to make when we were younger.

I know that we topped out at the simple back-and-forth stripes; this book gives you directions on how to make letters, shapes, emojis, you name it. It’s all about bringing something simple up to a whole new level.

I’m 100% sure that once moms see this book, they’ll want to get in on the fun, too. And before you know it, they’ll be Personalized Friendship Bracelet-Makers, too.

For gift-giving, consider:

  • name braceletsĀ for cousins;
  • initials for friends;
  • hashtag bracelets;
  • favorite team or school colors!

Coffee Coasters (made with Potholders And Other Loopy Projects book)

5 cool handmade gifts that tweens love to make coaster teachmama.com

Cora had a blast making these–what we called Coffee Coasters–and she’s really just beginning her loopyĀ bonanza.

I remember making potholders when I was young, and these feel the same way I remember them.

But this Klutz book is so packed with cool and creative new ways to use loopy projects, it’s awesome.

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

For gift-giving, consider these loopy project ideas:

  • a set of coasters for grandparents;
  • school colors for teachers;
  • sewing coasters together to make hotplates;
  • tic-tac-toe boards!

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

5 handmade gifts tweens love | teachmama.com

Seriously–How cool are these books from Klutz?

 

Want to check out a few other crafty crafts from our friends at Klutz?

craft and wear cover teachmama.com

best gifts for tween girls cover | teachmamacom

 

fyi: Some of the links in the post above are ā€œaffiliate links.ā€ This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. This small percentage of money helps offset the costs of hosting this blog, which helps me keep this content free for you. Forever and always I recommend only products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: ā€œGuides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.ā€ Ā For more information, please see teachmama media, llc. disclosure policy.Ā 

About the Author

Hi, I’m Patricia, an elementary teacher and reading specialist, turned homeschool mom. I also have a master's in psychology, specializing in children's issues. Read More…

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Comments

  1. Vera Sweeney says

    November 12, 2015 at 1:39 pm

    i really love reading your site — truly an inspiration! i want to do these with my kids

    Reply
    • Teach Mama says

      November 12, 2015 at 8:46 pm

      VERA–thank you so much, my sweet friend!

      Reply
  2. Melissa @ The Staten Island family says

    November 12, 2015 at 1:50 pm

    sharing this with my 10 -year -old- I really love that pom pom play set!

    Reply
  3. Melissa Angert {All Things Chic} says

    November 12, 2015 at 2:47 pm

    I LOVE those pom pom creatures! Those would be a great gift for friends!

    Reply
  4. Danielle Smith says

    November 16, 2015 at 11:04 am

    Amy – I so LOVE these suggestions. We are making a big push this holiday season for our small people to MAKE gifts for the people they love and this is perfect.

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Patricia, an elementary teacher and reading specialist, turned homeschool mom.

After our three kids graduated high school, I went back to school to become a marriage and family therapist who has specialized in children’s issues.

I love helping families find all the fun and deep learning possible for their children.

I’m so glad you’re here on Teach Mama and I look forward to helping you on your journey!

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