frugal gifts for kid's friends' birthdays

[jewelsJZ]

What do you give to your kids' friends for their birthdays? I'm sure there are lots of crafty ideas but I am limited in the crafty department. What simple things do you make? Or where do you buy nice gifts for $10 or less for your kids to bring to birthday parties?

[weliveintheforest]

Depending on the age, a set of homemade play dough might work. We were recently at a birthday party where the child received several colours of home made scented playdough and some sculpting tools to go with it, and it was a hit.

[JamieCatheryn]

A couple of Shleich (sp?) figures would be a nice gift (really really nice plastic animals and fantasy things). The aisle at my local Target with them has a lot of great other stuff: dress-up, science kits, play food, a lot of those are reasonably priced. Or a couple of playsilks or one big one (dyeing would be crafty but isn't too tough, you can do it by just simmering in kool aid without the sugar if you want).

[CatsCradle]

My DD is now three and most of her friends are three to four years old. A few birthday parties ago, I bought a fanciful hair brush for one of the children and she loved it! Ever since then, I have been getting fanciful hairbrushes at at a gift shop near my office. Haven't paid under $10 but have paid $12.

[caiesmommy]

-box of cake mix(or sugar cookie/brownie)/icing/apron/bright color spatula/bowl-obviously this is good if you know theres no diet restrictions. You can get almost all that at the $ store and if you can sew, an apron is quick and cheap to sew up...then the kids have the cool kitchen utensils to play with after
-superhero cape & mask/princess/prince cape & crown-again if you can sew your own for super cheap
-art supplies-cool little basket and hit the dollar store for crayons/scrapbooking supplies/whatever catches your eye
-movie night basket-gc for a movie store/popcorn bowl/microwave popcorn/treat

[kkfum]

if you have a joann fabrics near you, they have these boxed craft kits. there are a bunch that are around $8-9, some a bit more, around $14-15. jewelry making, puppet-making, etc. there's one that is a make your own book (comes with materials for 2 books) and i think that one was $8.99.

[ewp11100]

My husband makes wood Blocks. He'll cut them down and sand them nice and smooth. Also in the past we have scowereed the clearence bins @ target for gifts

[MissMommyNiceNice]

I just gave DS's little friend (3) a "baby be good" restaurant & car kit. It included:

1 real sketch book spiral bound (bought at half off sale)
1/2 dozen packs of sticker sheets (also half off sale)
Pack of My First Pencils by Tioga (like $3)
Fancy fat multi-colored pencil ($2)
a little plastic animal
a little ball
a little car

Total, about $12 or so depending on the sale price of things. Popular with kids & parents. And it really does help them be good on longer trips or waiting in the restaurant.

[MonkeyPrincess]

Craft stores (around here, Michael's or AC Moore) have 40-50% off one regularly priced item coupons all the time. That can open up your options a little more, while still spending a small amt of money.

[zebra15]

Books are always good and usually under $5.
Crayons and a coloring book for ages 5 and under again under $5
Older boys love lego's and small sets are usually $7-8
Matchbox cars are $1 each... 3-4 of those are a huge hit

[bluebunny]

I usually look for gifts at TJ Maxx and Marshalls. The kid section often has toys on sale/clearance and then I get several for upcoming parties. Also, when stores have back-to-school sales, I buy several boxes of crayons and markers that I can pair with a cute notebook or book for a quick present.

[zinemama]

I like to get a little muffin pan (the small size with six muffins) (around $6) and then make up a batch of dry muffin mix. You can put it in a glass jar if you have one. Make a nice tag with baking directions and tie a ribbon around.

[josybear]

in the summer when i was less broke than usual i went on amazon and looked for the very cheapest kids books - the ones that were 1$ or less, and chose a variety to suit different ages, then bought as many as i could afford. now i'm set for the next 2-3 years of birthday parties, at 1$ a pop.

[jewelsJZ]

Originally Posted by caiesmommy

-box of cake mix(or sugar cookie/brownie)/icing/apron/bright color spatula/bowl-obviously this is good if you know theres no diet restrictions. You can get almost all that at the $ store and if you can sew, an apron is quick and cheap to sew up...then the kids have the cool kitchen utensils to play with after

This! Great idea! With this:

Originally Posted by MonkeyPrincess

Craft stores (around here, Michael's or AC Moore) have 40-50% off one regularly priced item coupons all the time. That can open up your options a little more, while still spending a small amt of money.

They have cute, inexpensive aprons at AC Moore and the coupons are downloadable!

I think that is what I'll do for the next birthday child.

Great ideas, mommas! Keep 'em coming! I am

[karne]

For friend's daughters I have called the local florist and asked them to make up a basket arrangement of sweet flowers for the birthday girl-limit $10-12. Often times this has been used as a special arrangemtn for the table. It's a refreshing present for those who don't want more traditional gifts.

[kirstenb]

For DS's friends, I have been buying little Playdo sets- I can find them on sale usually for under $10, and will just buy a bunch to keep for when I need them. They are all in the 2-3 year old range, so it's a big hit.

[gothnurse3]

My DD is 6. I am going to make a tooth fairy pillow for the party she has this weekend. Whatcha think?

[jewelsJZ]

Originally Posted by gothnurse3

My DD is 6. I am going to make a tooth fairy pillow for the party she has this weekend. Whatcha think?

That's an awesome idea for a 6 year old!

[pbjmama]

I've done a flower and an envelope with $5 for a 5 year old. Actually having their own money is always a hit!

[ediesmom]

i liked (when the kids were younger) to put together doll kits. a few wooden clothes pins, calico, embroidery floss...ribbons, lace, scissors, glue, and a marker for faces....and put it all in a 50c lunchbox from michels....

they were always a hit, and i have all that stuff hanging around for other things.