Skills-Based Gifts for Children - Little Pine Learners

Check out this long list of 30+ handicraft and skills-based gifts for kids. Here you will find the perfect gifts for birthdays, Christmas, or just for fun!

What are skills-based gifts? These are gifts that help children foster important skills like learning how to make handicrafts, grow food and cook. From developing fine motor skills to supporting self-esteem, there are many benefits to giving your child a skills-based gift!

Children learn by doing, so let’s give them experiences that help them acquire important skills and give them the opportunity to create or grow something beautiful at the same time! Crafting, cooking, growing plants, fishing, and more! Let’s get started.

ADULT SUPERVISION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL OF THESE GIFTS!

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Ceramics

1. Pottery Studio

Help children learn the skill of pottery with this awesome handicraft gift! This complete pottery wheel and painting kit includes three pounds of natural clay, pottery wheel, white glaze (for a base coat), opaque acrylic paint, paint brushes, sculpting tools, apron and more! Recommended for ages 8 and up.

2. Clay Jewelry Dish

This kit makes it easy to make little clay dishes! Just roll the clay, form into a circular shape, paint and adorn with the all-inclusive kit and create 3 designer clay jewelry or trinket dishes. Recommended for ages 8 and up.

Woodworking

3. Woodworking Bench

This woodworking bench is the perfect gift for young children interested in learning the skill of woodworking. This set comes with a bench, ergonomic tools, tool belt and offers a space for imaginative play or a spot for real woodworking crafts! Recommended for ages 5 and up. Adult supervision is required.

4. Wood Toy Making Kit

This kit includes everything you need to make six different wooden projects! Recommended for ages 8 and up. Adult supervision is required.

5. Whittling Knife

This whittling knife is a good beginner whittling tool for children. These are still a little sharp and can cut skin, so I recommend using these gloves for beginners! This whittling book is also a great gift! The age recommendation says, kid. I would suggest 8 and up, but please test this out yourself before giving it as a gift. Adult supervision is required.

6. Carpenter Tool

This tool is AWESOME! We got this gift for our boys a couple years ago and they still use it. You can get replacement wood pieces here. Adult supervision is required.

7. Wood Burning Kit

Try your hand at wood burning and make beautiful designs and pictures in wood! This beginners kit includes everything you need to make your own beautiful creations. The age recommendation is “kid” on the package, but I would say this is for ages 10 and up. The wood burning tool gets very hot and can burn skin easily. We have this kit and it’s still a bit tricky for my 9 year old to use. Adult supervision is required.

Candle Making

8. Beeswax Candle Making Kit

These kits are so fun for kids of all ages! Younger children can help roll the beeswax and older children can design and create an entire candle. Candle making has become a favorite annual winter tradition for our family. There is no age requirement listed, but I think children ages 4 and up can help with various steps of this candle making kit.

9. Holiday Candle Making Kit

Here is a holiday themed candle making kit. Both of the listed kits are from a company that I have made several purchases from and love their products!

10. Candle Making Kit with Molds

This kit is a little different than the two listed above. For this kit, melt the wax and pour it into a mold to form a candle shape! These are great for any holiday or occasion! Since you are working with hot wax, I suggest older children only for this activity.

Textile Handicrafts

11. Potholder Loom

These kits are so fun! Weave a useful potholder and keep them or give them away as gifts! You can make 7″ potholders or 10″ potholders depending upon the kit you choose. The colors are so pretty and they are so fun and relaxing to make! Recommended for children ages 8 and up.

12. Loom

This is a basic loom to help children learn the art of weaving. This Melissa and Doug wooden multi-craft weaving loom includes everything kids need, including an adjustable wooden loom, oversize wooden needle, craft materials, illustrated design booklet, and 91 yards of rainbow yarn! Recommended for children ages 6 and up.

13. Knitting Machine

I have not tried this machine yet, but have seen it a few times on Instagram and plan on trying it this winter! This machine looks so easy to use! Just thread yarn into the spindles and turn the crank to knit your very own masterpieces, such as hats, scarves and socks! Children of all ages can help with various steps of the knitting process with this machine!

14. Woodland Animal Sewing Kit

This absolutely adorable sewing kit is perfect for kids! Children can sew together these woodland animals and then give them away as gifts or use them in imaginative play. Recommended for children ages 7 and up.

15. Starter Felting Kit

This felted wool kit includes everything you need to make simple wool crafts. The six felted animal designs are so cute and very soft when completed! Recommended for beginners.

16. Screen Printing on Fabric

Learn the art of fabric screen printing with this unique gift! This silk screen printing kit includes a reusable wooden mold, fabric and puffy paint, stencils, paintbrush, silk screen squeegee and tape, as well as a canvas backpack kids can add their designs to! Recommended for children ages 10 and up.

Growing Plants

17. Growing Microgreens with Kids

Micogreens are packed with 40 times the vitamins and minerals of their mature plants. Learn how to grow 6 types of microgreens with this kit! Children of all ages can help with various steps of growing microgreens!

18. Growing Fungi with Kids

Try growing different types of fungi! These are so fun to watch grow and in 10 days, you can harvest and eat your mushrooms! Children of all ages can help with various steps of growing fungi!

19. Growing Tomatoes with Kids

This tomato garden kit has everything you need to grow mini tomato plants on your window sill any time of the year. There are even cute plant markers that you can paint and stick in the planter! Children of all ages can help with various steps of growing tomatoes!

20. Growing Flowers with Kids

Paint and plant your own small flower garden with this sweet flower kit! Grow marigolds, zinnias, and cosmos with the step by step instructions included with this kit. Children of all ages can help with various steps of growing flowers!

21. Indoor Hydroponic System with Lights

Grow plants any time of year with this kit! This system includes eight planting pods and comes with planting baskets, sponges, and nutrients in order to get more plants at one time and allow plants to grow up to three times faster and healthier than traditional way. Children of all ages can help with various steps of growing plants with this system!

22. Growing Sprouts with Kids

We have grown sprouts many times and it’s always so much fun! This complete kit is easy to use and includes instructions. Children of all ages can help with various steps of growing sprouts!

23. Gardening Tools for Kids

Gets outside and grow something beautiful with this gardening tool set for kids! This kit includes a child sized wheelbarrow, watering can, gloves, hand rake, shovel, double hoe, cultivator, hedge clippers and washable apron. Recommended for ages 3 and up.

24. Raised Garden Planter for Kids

Give kids easy access to their very own garden with this planter! This planter kit includes multiple ways to grow plants, a garden guide and tools.

25. Farm to Table Farmers Market Stand

This fun dramatic play set will encourage imagination and offers many ways for little ones to play! Grow fruits and veggies and then sell them at your very own pretend farmers market stand! Recommended for kids ages 24 months and up.

Cooking

26. Cooking and Baking Kit with Functional Tools

This 31 piece cooking and baking kit comes with kid-friendly cooking and baking tools and recipe cards specifically designed for kids! Recommended for kids ages 6 and up.

27. Raddish Kids Subscription Box

Learn about new cultures and cuisines each month with this subscription cooking box! Each month, you will get a new box with 3 illustrated recipes cards, cooking tools and shopping lists. Raddish boxes are recommended for kids ages 4 and up.

28. Play Kitchen Accessories

Have a little one at home?! Try this fun dramatic play set to help foster a love for cooking at a young age! There are some very fun and unique pieces in this kit.