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 move beyond the usual handprint crafts to something truly special, practical, and beautiful? And how do you ensure the kids can actually make it without too much frustration or a giant mess? I’ve spent hours figuring this out, sometimes with 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 tips I’ve tested myself. Stick with me, and you’ll learn how to create unique, modern, and genuinely beautiful DIY Grandparents Day gifts while creating 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 that consistently get rave reviews from grandparents!
- Personalized Photo Coasters: Practical, beautiful, and a constant reminder of cherished family moments.
- Hand-Painted Recipe Plate or Mug: A functional piece of art that keeps family traditions alive.
- “Open When…” Letters Jar: A deeply sentimental gift offering comfort and connection long after the day.
- “Why I Love You” Photo Album: Combines precious photos with heartfelt, personal messages.
A Few Supplies for Success 🛠️
Before we dive into the specific projects, having a few general craft supplies on hand will set you up for success across many of these ideas!
- ✅ Kid-Friendly Craft Glue (👑 Nancy’s Pick: My absolute go-to for durable, kid-made gifts is Elmer’s School Glue Max. It dries clear and strong, and it’s non-toxic, which is essential when little hands are involved!)
- ✅ Assorted Construction Paper & Cardstock
- ✅ Washable Paints & Brushes
- ✅ Scissors (kid-safe and adult)
- ✅ Permanent Markers (for adult use on some projects)
1. Personalized Photo Coasters 📸
A practical gift that brightens their coffee table with cherished family photos! This project is surprisingly easy and results in a stunning, professional-looking keepsake that grandparents will actually use. My go-to trick for this is to use ceramic tiles, Mod Podge, and printed photos. Remember, adult supervision is key for Mod Podge application to ensure a smooth, durable finish.
💡 Pro-Tip: Print photos in black and white for a sophisticated, timeless look that matches any decor. This also helps unify different photo styles!
[Image Placement Instruction: image-1: A beautifully arranged set of four personalized photo coasters on a wooden table, showcasing different family photos, with a cup of coffee nearby.]
2. Hand-Painted Recipe Plate or Mug 🍽️
Turn a beloved family recipe into a functional piece of art they’ll treasure forever. This is one of those easy sentimental gifts that blends practicality with deep personal meaning. All you need are plain ceramic plates or mugs and some ceramic paint pens, which are surprisingly easy for kids to use. After testing dozens of these, I’ve found they hold up wonderfully with gentle hand washing.
👑 Nancy’s Golden Rule: Have kids draw a picture of the recipe or write out a favorite ingredient in their own handwriting for an extra personal touch. It makes the gift even more uniquely ‘them’!
[Image Placement Instruction: image-2: A close-up of a white ceramic plate with a child’s drawing of a cookie and a handwritten recipe for “Grandma’s Cookies” in colorful ceramic paint.]
3. “Open When…” Letters Jar 💌
A truly unique and sentimental gift that offers comfort and connection long after Grandparents’ Day. This beautiful idea provides little bursts of love and thoughtfulness exactly when they’re needed most. Simply gather a clear glass jar, some pretty stationery, and pens, and let the kids’ creativity flow!
💡 Pro-Tip: Suggest ‘Open when you miss me,’ ‘Open when you need a laugh,’ or ‘Open when it’s your birthday’ as prompts for the letters. This gives kids a great starting point and ensures a variety of messages.
[Image Placement Instruction: image-3: A clear glass jar filled with colorful, folded “Open When…” letters, tied with a ribbon, with a handwritten label on the jar.]
4. DIY Scented Sachets with Dried Herbs/Flowers 🌸
A modern, practical gift that adds a lovely scent to drawers or closets, made with natural elements. These easy sentimental gifts are a delightful way to bring a touch of nature and a sweet aroma into their home. Small fabric bags, dried lavender or rose petals, and pretty ribbon are all you need to create these charming little packages.
👑 Nancy’s Golden Rule: Let kids help choose the scents and decorate the outside of the sachet bags with fabric markers or simple stamps. Their involvement makes the unique DIY gifts even more special.
[Image Placement Instruction: image-4: A small, neatly tied fabric sachet filled with dried lavender, perhaps with a child’s initial embroidered or drawn on it, placed in a drawer.]
5. Custom Bookmark Set 📚
Perfect for avid readers, these personalized bookmarks are both useful and a sweet reminder of their grandkids. Forget generic bookmarks; these handmade gifts from grandkids are functional pieces of art! All you need is some sturdy cardstock, watercolors, and then either a laminator or clear contact paper to protect their beautiful designs.
💡 Pro-Tip: Encourage kids to draw tiny pictures of their grandparents’ favorite hobbies or books on the bookmarks. This thoughtful detail shows how much they pay attention!
[Image Placement Instruction: image-5: A set of three colorful, hand-painted bookmarks peeking out of different books, showcasing unique designs and perhaps a small tassel.]
6. “Grandparent’s Story” Journal 📖
A beautiful way to encourage grandparents to share their life stories, creating an invaluable family heirloom. This is one of my favorite meaningful gifts because it creates a legacy. Grab a blank journal, some decorative paper for the cover, and stickers for personalization. This gift keeps giving as they fill it with their memories.
👑 Nancy’s Golden Rule: Include a few pre-written prompts inside the journal, like ‘Tell me about your favorite childhood memory’ or ‘What was your first job?’ to get them started and make it less daunting.
[Image Placement Instruction: image-6: An open, decorated journal with a few handwritten prompts inside, next to a child’s drawing on the cover, perhaps with a vintage pen.]
7. Painted Rock Garden Markers 🪴
A charming and practical gift for gardening grandparents, adding a touch of whimsy to their garden beds. These are fantastic Grandparents Day crafts that get kids outdoors and creative! Smooth rocks, outdoor acrylic paint, and a clear sealant are the main supplies. My go-to trick for this is to use larger, flatter rocks for easier painting.
💡 Pro-Tip: Have kids paint pictures of vegetables or flowers, or simply write ‘Grandma’s Garden’ or ‘Grandpa’s Patch’ on the rocks. The simpler the design, the easier it is for little hands!
[Image Placement Instruction: image-7: A collection of brightly painted rocks, some with vegetable names (e.g., “Tomatoes,” “Carrots”), others with simple designs, nestled in a garden bed.]
8. DIY Bath Bombs or Soaps (Kid-Friendly Kits) 🛀
A luxurious, spa-like gift that’s surprisingly easy for kids to help make with a good kit. These homemade gifts for grandma (and grandpa!) offer a relaxing treat. Always opt for a quality bath bomb or soap-making kit, and consider adding a few drops of essential oils or dried flowers for an extra special touch.
👑 Nancy’s Golden Rule: Always use a kid-friendly, pre-measured kit for safety and success, and let kids choose the colors and scents. This ensures a fun, safe experience and a great final product.
[Image Placement Instruction: image-8: A small basket filled with colorful, homemade bath bombs or soaps, beautifully wrapped with a ribbon and a tag from the grandkids.]
9. Personalized Keychains (Shrink Plastic or Resin) 🔑
A modern, durable, and highly personal gift they can carry with them every day. These personalized gifts for grandparents are surprisingly chic! You can use shrink plastic sheets and permanent markers for an easier craft, or a simple resin kit for a slightly more advanced project. Adult supervision is key for baking shrink plastic or using resin.
💡 Pro-Tip: Have kids draw small self-portraits or their grandparents’ initials on the shrink plastic for a truly unique touch. They’ll shrink down to adorable, tiny charms!
[Image Placement Instruction: image-9: A close-up of a keychain with a small, colorful shrink plastic charm featuring a child’s drawing, attached to a set of keys.]
10. “Coupon Book” for Grandparents 🎁
A heartfelt, free, and incredibly practical gift that offers acts of service and love. This is one of those easy sentimental gifts that costs nothing but means everything, making it perfect for kids craft ideas. All you need are paper, a stapler, and markers. My go-to trick for this is to brainstorm ideas together with the kids beforehand.
👑 Nancy’s Golden Rule: Encourage kids to think of things grandparents genuinely appreciate, like ‘One Hug,’ ‘Help with Yard Work,’ ‘A Story Time Session,’ or ‘Breakfast in Bed.’ Make them specific and actionable!
[Image Placement Instruction: image-10: A small, colorful coupon book with “Grandparent Coupons” on the cover, showing a few open pages with handwritten offers like “One Back Rub” or “Help with Dishes.”]
11. Decorated Plant Pot with a Small Plant 🌱
A living gift that brightens their home and grows with love, showcasing kids’ artistic flair. This is a wonderful homemade gift for grandma or grandpa with a green thumb. Grab a plain terracotta pot, some acrylic paints, and a small, easy-to-care-for houseplant like a succulent or an herb.
💡 Pro-Tip: Use stencils or finger painting for younger kids, and consider adding a small, easy-to-care-for plant like a succulent or herb. It’s a gift that literally grows with their love!
[Image Placement Instruction: image-11: A vibrant terracotta pot with a child’s hand-painted design (e.g., flowers, abstract patterns), holding a healthy green succulent, placed on a sunny windowsill.]
12. “Memory Jar” with Written Memories/Drawings 💭
An ongoing, sentimental gift that captures precious family moments and can be added to over time. This unique DIY gift becomes a living history of your family’s joy. All you need is a decorative glass jar, small slips of paper, and pens. This is one of those meaningful gifts that truly lasts a lifetime.
👑 Nancy’s Golden Rule: Start the jar with a few pre-written memories from the kids, like ‘Remember when we went to the park?’ or ‘My favorite thing about you is…’ This makes it instantly full of love.
[Image Placement Instruction: image-12: A decorative glass jar with a label “Our Family Memories,” filled with colorful, rolled-up slips of paper, perhaps with a few pens next to it.]
13. DIY Photo Calendar (with Kids’ Art/Photos) 🗓️
A practical gift that keeps them organized all year, filled with heartwarming photos and unique artwork. These personalized gifts for grandparents are both useful and incredibly sweet. You’ll need a blank calendar template, printed photos, and markers for kids to decorate around each month.
💡 Pro-Tip: Dedicate each month to a different grandchild or a different family memory, with kids drawing a picture for each month’s theme. It makes flipping the page a monthly delight!
[Image Placement Instruction: image-13: An open, homemade calendar showing a month with a family photo and a child’s drawing, perhaps with important family dates circled.]
14. Hand-Decorated Tote Bag or Apron 🛍️
A functional and stylish gift that grandparents can use daily, showcasing their grandkids’ creativity. These handmade gifts from grandkids are practical and show off their artistic flair. Grab a plain canvas tote bag or apron, fabric paints or markers, and maybe some stencils for younger artists.
👑 Nancy’s Golden Rule: Use fabric paint pens for intricate designs or fabric stamps for younger kids to create a unique pattern. Always make sure to heat-set the fabric paint according to instructions for durability.
[Image Placement Instruction: image-14: A canvas tote bag or apron with a vibrant, child-designed pattern or drawing, perhaps with “Best Grandma Ever” written on it, hanging on a hook.]
15. “Why I Love You” Photo Album 💖
A deeply personal and sentimental gift that combines cherished photos with heartfelt messages from the grandkids. This is one of the most powerful easy sentimental gifts you can create. All you need is a small photo album, printed photos, and pens for the kids to write their heartfelt captions.
💡 Pro-Tip: For each photo, have the kids write a short caption explaining why they love that memory or what they love about their grandparent in that picture. These simple words make a huge impact.
[Image Placement Instruction: image-15: An open photo album showing a page with a family photo and a child’s handwritten “Why I Love You” caption next to it, with other photos visible.]
Make it Your Own ✨
As your trusted family advisor, I always encourage you to put your unique spin on things! Here are a few ways to customize these ideas:
- ✅ Combine the “Memory Jar” with the “Open When…” letters for a comprehensive memory and comfort gift that truly keeps on giving.
- ✅ Adapt any craft for long-distance grandparents by having kids create the gift and then sending it with a personalized video message explaining their creation. This adds a wonderful digital connection!
- ✅ For grandparents with limited space, focus on consumable gifts (like bath bombs) or digital gifts (like a photo calendar they can print) to avoid adding clutter.
Your Thoughtful Questions Answered 🤔
A question I get all the time in my DMs is how to make these gifts truly special. Let’s dive into some common concerns.
Q1: How can I ensure these DIY gifts look “good” and not just like a messy kid’s craft?
A: The secret, my friend, is in the preparation and presentation! Use quality materials (like the ones I recommend), embrace simple designs for younger kids, and always add a “finishing touch.” This might be a clear sealant for painted rocks, a neat ribbon on a sachet, or a beautifully handwritten label by an adult. Framing a child’s art for the “Why I Love You” album also elevates it immediately.
Q2: My kids are very young (toddlers/preschoolers). Which of these gifts are truly achievable for them?
A: Fantastic question! For the littlest hands, I recommend focusing on crafts where their contribution is the art itself. The “Painted Rock Garden Markers,” “Decorated Plant Pot,” “Hand-Painted Recipe Plate/Mug” (with adult help for writing), “Custom Bookmark Set,” and the “Coupon Book” are all excellent choices. For the “Memory Jar” or “Open When…” letters, they can contribute drawings that an adult then labels or writes short sentences for.
Q3: What if my grandparents already have everything? Which gifts are truly unique and won’t add clutter?
A: This is where the “Memory Maker” Moment really shines! Focus on experiences, consumables, or highly personal, functional items. The “Open When…” Letters Jar, “Grandparent’s Story” Journal, “Coupon Book,” and “Memory Jar” are all about connection and memories, not physical clutter. Consumable gifts like the DIY Bath Bombs are also perfect. Even the personalized photo coasters or keychains are practical items they’ll use and cherish daily without taking up extra space.
Conclusion:
Creating handmade gifts with your children for Grandparents’ Day isn’t just about the final product; it’s about the joy of the process, the shared laughter, and the invaluable memories you create together. These heartfelt DIY gifts go beyond the ordinary, offering practical beauty and deep sentimentality that will be cherished for years to come. I’ve seen firsthand the smiles these gifts bring, and that’s the real magic.
Which of these heartfelt DIY gifts will your kids be making for Grandparents’ Day this year? Share your favorites in the comments below!
