After countless hours covered in craft glue, glitter, and sometimes even a little paint in my hair, I’ve mastered the art of creating genuinely cherished handmade gifts—testing, fixing fails, and discovering solutions that actually work.
But I know the struggle: How do you find crafts that elementary kids genuinely enjoy making, and that grandparents will actually want to keep? I’ve spent hours figuring this out, sometimes with my own family by my side, and I’ve been there too.
That’s why in this post, I’ll show you exactly how to solve these challenges with 12 “not boring” craft ideas I’ve tested myself. Stick with me, and you’ll learn how to create meaningful crafts for Grandparents’ Day while making magical memories with your loved ones! 💖
My Top 4 Picks From This List 🏆
If you’re short on time, these are the absolute must-try ideas that I personally love and have seen create the biggest smiles for Grandparents’ Day gifts handmade!
- Personalized Painted Mugs or Plates: A daily reminder of love that’s both functional and artistic. These make fantastic DIY gifts for grandparents from kids.
- “Open When…” Letters Jar: A collection of future smiles, perfect for older elementary kids who love to express themselves in writing.
- DIY Photo Coasters: Incredibly personal and a wonderful way to display cherished family photos with a professional look.
- Recipe Book with Hand-Drawn Illustrations: A true heirloom-worthy gift that celebrates family traditions and becomes a treasured keepsake.
A Few Supplies for Success 🛠️
Before we dive into the fun, let’s gather a few versatile supplies that you might use across several of these awesome crafts for older elementary kids. My go-to trick for making crafting seamless is having these basics on hand!
- ✅ Craft Paints & Brushes (Acrylics work well for many surfaces!)
- ✅ Cardstock & Markers/Pens (For personalized touches and heartfelt messages)
- ✅ Mod Podge or Clear Sealant (👑 Nancy’s Pick: I always recommend a non-toxic, kid-friendly brand of Mod Podge. It’s truly a “Memory Maker” because it protects and finishes projects, making them last longer and look professionally done! It’s perfect for sealing in those precious designs.)
- ✅ Basic Craft Tools (Scissors, glue sticks, ruler – the essentials!)
1. Personalized Painted Mugs or Plates 🎨
This craft is a fantastic way for elementary kids to create a functional, artistic, and daily reminder of their love! Grandparents will cherish sipping their morning coffee or enjoying a snack from a piece of art made just for them. It’s a wonderful project using ceramic paints or oil-based paint pens, resulting in a unique and handmade gift for grandma and grandpa.
💡 Pro-Tip: For younger elementary kids, use stencils or masking tape to create geometric designs, then let them fill in the colors. Older kids can try freehand drawings or even a handprint design!
image-1: A close-up of a child’s hand holding a beautifully painted ceramic mug with a simple, heartfelt design, perhaps a grandparent’s initial or a small drawing.
2. DIY Woven Coasters or Mini Wall Hangings 🧶
A mistake I always see is underestimating the appeal of textural crafts for older elementary kids. This project is a fantastic opportunity for developing fine motor skills and creating a truly unique, textural gift that feels more “grown-up” than typical crafts! Using simple cardboard looms and colorful yarn, kids can weave beautiful, functional crafts for kids.
👑 Nancy’s Golden Rule: Encourage kids to choose colors that remind them of their grandparents’ home decor or favorite outfits – it makes the gift even more thoughtful and personal.
image-2: A flat lay of colorful, finished woven coasters or a small, intricate wall hanging, perhaps with a few different yarn textures visible.
3. “Open When…” Letters Jar ✉️
This isn’t just a craft; it’s a collection of future smiles and a truly meaningful craft for Grandparents Day! Perfect for older elementary kids who can express themselves in writing, this gift provides ongoing joy. All you need is a decorated jar and small envelopes or folded papers to create this treasure trove of sentiments.
💡 Pro-Tip: Provide prompts like ‘Open when you miss me,’ ‘Open when you need a laugh,’ or ‘Open when you want to remember a fun memory we shared.’ This helps kids brainstorm ideas and makes the “Memory Maker” moment even stronger!
image-3: A clear glass jar filled with colorful, folded “Open When…” letters, tied with a ribbon, with a child’s hand reaching for one.
4. Hand-Decorated Planter Pot with Seeds 🌱
This is a living gift that grows, symbolizing enduring love! It’s both functional and adds beauty to any home or garden, making it a wonderful handmade gift for grandma and grandpa. Grab some terracotta pots, outdoor paints, and a packet of easy-to-grow seeds for this charming project.
💡 Pro-Tip: Before painting, have kids draw their design on paper first. For a special touch, include a small packet of their grandparent’s favorite flower or herb seeds, or even a tiny succulent.
image-4: A child’s hand carefully placing a small seed packet into a brightly painted terracotta pot, ready for planting.
5. DIY Photo Coasters 🖼️
After testing dozens of DIY gifts, I can confidently say these photo coasters are incredibly personal, functional, and a wonderful way to display cherished family photos. They look professional but are surprisingly simple to make, using ceramic tiles, Mod Podge, and printed photos. These are fantastic tween craft ideas for grandparents!
👑 Nancy’s Golden Rule: Choose photos that capture genuine smiles and shared moments. Black and white photos can give a sophisticated, timeless look, while color photos add a pop of joy.
image-5: A set of four finished photo coasters on a coffee table, each featuring a different heartwarming family photo.
6. Recipe Book with Hand-Drawn Illustrations 🧑🍳
This is a truly heirloom-worthy gift that combines family tradition with a child’s creativity. It’s perfect for sharing beloved family recipes and creating a lasting “Memory Maker” in the kitchen. All you need are blank notebooks, pens, and colored pencils to bring family flavors to life.
💡 Pro-Tip: Have kids interview their grandparents for a favorite family recipe, then write it down and illustrate each step or ingredient. It’s a fantastic bonding activity before the crafting even begins!
image-6: An open, handmade recipe book showing a handwritten recipe on one page and a charming, child-like illustration of the dish on the facing page.
7. Painted Rock Garden Markers or Paperweights 🪨
These painted rocks are versatile, durable, and can be as simple or intricate as the child desires. They add a touch of whimsy to a garden or desk, making them unique Grandparents Day gifts handmade. Smooth rocks, outdoor acrylic paints, and a good sealant are your key supplies for these.
💡 Pro-Tip: Encourage kids to paint things that remind them of their grandparents – their favorite animal, a special symbol, or even just bright, abstract patterns. A clear sealant will protect their artwork from the elements.
image-7: A collection of brightly painted rocks, some with simple designs like ladybugs or flowers, others with abstract patterns, arranged in a small garden bed or on a desk.
8. DIY Scented Sachets (No-Sew Option!) 🌸
A lovely, sensory gift that adds a touch of freshness to drawers or closets. The no-sew option makes it accessible for all elementary ages, ensuring even younger kids can create these functional crafts for kids! Gather fabric scraps, dried lavender or potpourri, and ribbon or fabric glue.
👑 Nancy’s Golden Rule: Let kids choose fabrics with patterns or colors their grandparents would love. For a no-sew version, use pinking shears to cut fabric squares, fill with scent, and tie with a pretty ribbon!
image-8: A child’s hands tying a ribbon around a small, fabric sachet filled with lavender, with dried flowers scattered around.
9. Customized Keychains or Bag Tags 🔑
This is a practical gift they’ll use every day, carrying a piece of their grandchild’s love wherever they go! It’s one of those DIY gifts for grandparents from kids that offers a constant, sweet reminder. Think shrinky dinks, polymer clay, or wooden blanks and paint for this personal accessory.
💡 Pro-Tip: For shrinky dinks, kids can draw self-portraits, their grandparents’ initials, or a tiny picture of their favorite shared activity. Remember to punch a hole before baking so you can easily add the keychain ring!
image-9: A close-up of a set of keys with a unique, handmade keychain attached, perhaps a colorful shrinky dink drawing or a painted wooden tag.
10. “Memory Jar” with Decorated Labels 🌟
A beautiful way to collect and display cherished memories, this is a gift that keeps on giving as they add more moments! It’s a true “Memory Maker,” perfect for Grandparents’ Day. A clear jar, decorative paper, pens, and a few embellishments are all you need.
👑 Nancy’s Golden Rule: Encourage kids to write down specific, happy memories they have with their grandparents on small slips of paper. Decorate the jar with their names, dates, or drawings of shared activities to make it extra special.
image-10: A clear glass jar filled with colorful slips of paper, each representing a memory, with a decorative label on the front.
11. Hand-Painted Wood Slice Ornaments or Coasters 🪵
These rustic, charming wood slices offer a wonderful canvas for creative expression. They make lovely keepsakes or functional home decor, fitting perfectly into the category of crafts for older elementary kids. Pre-cut wood slices, acrylic paints, and a good sealant will help bring these to life.
💡 Pro-Tip: The natural wood grain adds a unique touch! Kids can paint landscapes, abstract designs, or even a simple initial. For an ornament, drill a small hole for a ribbon before painting to avoid cracking.
image-11: A child’s hand holding a small, round wood slice painted with a simple, colorful design, perhaps a tree or a heart.
12. DIY Bookmark with Tassel 📚
A practical and elegant gift for any grandparent who loves to read. This allows for creativity in design and a touch of sophistication with a handmade tassel, making it a truly meaningful craft for Grandparents Day. Cardstock, laminator (optional), markers, and embroidery floss for the tassel are your tools.
👑 Nancy’s Golden Rule: Encourage kids to design a bookmark that reflects their grandparent’s interests – a favorite animal, a landscape, or even a quote. Adding a handmade tassel elevates it from a simple craft to a thoughtful gift.
image-12: A beautifully designed, handmade bookmark with a colorful tassel peeking out from the pages of an open book.
Making it Extra Special ✨
As your trusted family advisor, I can tell you that presentation is key to maximizing that “Memory Maker” potential! Here are a few ideas to make these DIY gifts for grandparents from kids truly unforgettable.
- Include a handwritten card explaining why they chose that specific craft for their grandparent and what it means to them.
- Wrap the gift in paper decorated by the child, or place it in a handmade gift bag for an extra personal touch.
- If possible, have the child present the gift in person and explain what they made and why – that conversation is a gift in itself!
Your Crafting Questions Answered 🤔
A question I get all the time in my DMs is, “How do I come up with a gift that my parents or grandparents will actually love?” Let’s dive into that and other common queries about crafts for older elementary kids.
Q1: My child says they’re “not good at art.” How can I encourage them to try these crafts?
As your Creative DIY & Gift Expert, I know this feeling! The key is to focus on the process and the sentiment, not perfection. Suggest crafts that are less about realistic drawing and more about patterns, colors, or assembly, like the woven coasters, painted rocks, or photo coasters. Remind them that handmade gifts for grandma and grandpa are cherished because they come from the heart, not because they’re gallery-worthy. My go-to trick is to join in and make one alongside them – it makes it fun and less intimidating!
Q2: What if my grandparent lives far away? How can we still make these crafts feel special?
Even if you can’t deliver these Grandparents Day gifts handmade in person, you can still infuse them with love! For “Open When…” letters or the recipe book, kids can record a video of themselves reading a letter or explaining a recipe to send along with the gift. When sending items like painted mugs or photo coasters, include a personalized card with a recent photo of your child. The thought and effort behind these unique handmade gifts for grandparents from kids will absolutely shine through, no matter the distance.
Q3: Some of these crafts seem a bit advanced. Are there ways to simplify them for younger elementary kids?
Absolutely! Many of these tween craft ideas for grandparents can be adapted. For painted mugs, use ceramic markers for easier drawing. For weaving, try a simple paper loom for wider strips. For photo coasters, pre-cut the photos and let them focus on applying the Mod Podge. The most important thing is to choose a craft that matches their current skill level and interests, ensuring they feel successful and proud of their meaningful craft for Grandparents Day.
These awesome crafts for elementary kids go beyond typical “cutesy” projects, offering functional, stylish, and genuinely special handmade gifts for grandma and grandpa. Which of these ‘not boring’ crafts will your elementary artist create this Grandparents’ Day? Share your favorites in the comments below!
