You can turn kids’ drawings into gifts by making cards, bookmarks, calendars, framed prints, wrapping paper or photo-printed items like mugs and tote bags. Homemade gifts are especially loved by grandparents and teachers, and making them teaches kids that their art can bring joy to someone else. Here are 15 ideas, from free and quick to keepsake.
Free or nearly free
- Greeting cards. Fold paper in half and draw on the front. A drawing of the recipient’s pet is always a hit. See how to draw your pet.
- Bookmarks. Cut a strip of card, draw a long character (a snake, a giraffe, a rocket) and cover with clear tape.
- Wrapping paper. Cover butcher or kraft paper with small drawings and patterns.
- Gift tags. Tiny drawings on card with a hole punched in the corner.
- A framed drawing. A simple frame makes a drawing look like real art.
- Coupons. A drawn coupon book: “Good for one hug,” “One breakfast in bed.”
- A homemade picture book. A short story starring the recipient. See make a picture book with kids.
- Placemats. Draw on a large sheet, then laminate it or cover with clear contact paper.
Printed keepsakes
- Calendar. Scan or photograph 12 drawings and print a calendar online. Grandparents love seeing a new drawing each month.
- Mugs and tote bags. Many photo-printing services print a child’s drawing on mugs, bags, T-shirts or pillows.
- Photo book. A year of drawings printed as a book. See how to display and store kids’ art.
- Magnets or stickers. Print drawings on magnet sheets or sticker paper.
- Puzzle. Print a drawing as a jigsaw puzzle for the grandparents to put together.
Made together
- A drawing lesson for Grandma. The child teaches a grandparent to draw a character from their book. See drawing with grandparents.
- A family portrait. Everyone in the family, drawn by the youngest artist.
Tips for gift-worthy drawings
- Draw for the person. A grandparent’s dog, a teacher’s favorite animal or a holiday theme makes the gift personal.
- Use a lesson for confidence. If a child worries their drawing won’t look right, a step-by-step lesson helps. In a How to Draw book, every step shows a light gray outline of the finished drawing, so kids can see where each black line goes.
- Add a signature and date. It turns a drawing into a keepsake.
- Go over pencil with marker so the drawing scans and prints well.
Holiday ideas
For Christmas cards and ornaments, see Christmas drawing activities. For a Valentine’s card, see Valentine’s Day drawing activities.
Tip: Photograph the drawing in daylight on a flat surface, or scan it, before gifting the original. Then you can print it again later.
The book that helps
A drawing worth gifting starts with a drawing kids are proud of. Step-by-step lessons help them make a pet, an animal or a holiday drawing that looks the way they hoped.
How to Draw: Cute Cartoon Animals
How to Draw: Cartoon Cats & Dogs
How to Draw: ChristmasAs an Amazon Associate, FirstArtBooks earns from qualifying purchases.
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Questions
What can I make with my child’s drawings?
Cards, bookmarks, wrapping paper, calendars, framed prints, mugs, tote bags, puzzles and photo books are all easy to make from kids’ drawings.
What is a good homemade gift from a child to grandparents?
A calendar of the child’s drawings, a framed drawing of the grandparents’ pet or house, or a homemade picture book starring them.
How do I print my child’s drawing on a mug?
Scan or photograph the drawing in good light, then upload it to a photo-printing service that offers mugs.