Wrapping paper is a part of a gift that is often overlooked as simply a means to conceal the gift or item wrapped in it. However, a little creativity and holiday spirit can make the wrappings a part of the gift, and even offer a chance for fun and memory making in the process. Get out the scissors and tape and a few other fun tools to make this year’s wrapping paper stand out.
Four Easy Gift Wrapping Crafts for Kids
These gift wrap project ideas are simple, but can take any gift and give it a personal touch that is sure to make the giver proud, and the receiver smile. Check out the projects below:
Potato Stamps Wrapping Paper Decoration
Potatoes are good for more than a holiday meal! Chop raw potatoes in half and leave them to try on a paper towel (flat side down) for about an hour. Then carefully cut grooves or a design into the flat sides that will serve as the stamp surface. Once you are satisfied with the stamp design options, get out some paint and the rest is fun for little ones. Lay out the plain wrapping paper on a flat surface and show them how to dip the stamp into the paint and place it onto the paper. Once the paper is stamped, leave it out to dry before wrapping gifts.
See more example images at Made By Rae
To make the stamps:
- Potatoes
- Cutting instrument
To decorate the wrapping paper:
- Red or Green Wrapping Paper Roll
- Red, Green, Silver or Gold Paint
- Plastic Tray or Plates (for the paint)
- Paper Towels (to clean stamps between colors)
Holiday Paper with Lint Roller Stamp
Lint rollers are great for taking fuzz off a sweater or pants, but they also make a great tool for decorative paint rolling! Lay out some plain wrapping paper on a large flat surface. Then simply take a lint roller and add to it some foam shapes and/or yarn to create a unique design around the whole tube. Next, have the kids roll the decorated roller onto a washable ink pad or a little paint. Make sure not to overload with paint. Roll the painted or inked roller across the paper and watch as the design from the lint roller appears. Continue to dip and roll the lint roller onto the paper, and when it’s done, let it dry completely before wrapping gifts.
See more example images at Handmade Charlotte
To make the lint roller stamp:
- Lint Rollers
- Yarn or String
- Foam Shapes
To decorate the wrapping paper:
- Red or Green Wrapping Paper Roll
- Red, Green, Silver or Gold Paint
- Washable Ink Pads
- Plastic Tray or Plates (for the paint)
- Paper Towel
Pipe Cleaner Rosette Bows
What’s a kids craft without fuzzy, fun colored pipe cleaners? This simple way to add a special touch to a holiday gift is easy and a great exercise for practice with fine motor skills. All you’ll need is scissors and pipe cleaners. Have each child select six pipe cleaners and hold five of them in one hand and the sixth one in the other. Bunch the five pipe cleaners together and use the sixth one to wrap a tight belt around the middle. Then have an adult cut off the excess pipe cleaner from the belt piece. Using their fingers, the kids then curl the rest of the pipe cleaners in towards the belt, creating a little flower-like shape. Use a few for each gift to add some handmade fun to holiday gift wrapping for family and friends. They can be tied together with some string and added to the top of a gift by stringing a ribbon around the box, or with hot glue.
See more image examples at Create Craft Love
To make the pipe cleaner bow:
- Pipe Cleaners (Red, Green, Silver, Gold)
- Scissors
To attach pipe cleaner flowers:
Yarn Wrapped Holiday Gift Bags
For those who think wrapping paper is a bit of a hassle, or for those gifts that just don’t fit the usual box shape, gift bags are an excellent alternative. Decorated holiday bags can be expensive, but it’s possible to add a personal touch to a holiday bag with your kids and some yarn. Using brown craft bags, or any other plain and more affordable gift bag option, and holiday colored yarn, your kids can dress up the handles with a little holiday spirit. To add handles to a craft bag, bend and attach a pipe cleaner to either side of the bag, taping it securely just below the top on the inside. Then cover the handle by taping one end of a long piece of yarn to the inside of the bag, and wrapping it tightly around the handle. This is excellent practice in fine motor skills! Once they’ve tightly wrapped the whole handle, tape the other end of the yarn inside the bag.
See more image examples at Older and Wiser
To make the bag handles:
To wrap the bag handles:
Buy Plain Wrapping Paper and Decorating Tools Online
If you’re looking for the place to find all the craft tools and plain wrapping paper you need for the holiday season, check out our Elf Essentials shop available online. We have all the tape, paper, and decorating materials you want conveniently located online for easy browsing. Make this holiday season stand out and create kid-friendly, personal gift wrapping crafts that everyone is sure to love.
