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Occupational Therapy crafts for kids - The OT Toolbox

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Occupational therapy crafts, and essentially any crafts for kids, are a central part to the typical pediatric OT session. There is a reason why these crafts for kids are so popular on our website: Occupational therapy is founded in craft-making. So, when we, as OTs go back to our profession's roots, we address underlying skill areas through fun and engaging crafts.

Children that make these OT crafts are developing motor skills and cognitive skills, but also the social-emotional and mental development that we as OTs center our profession around. We love to create with crafts. By making crafts with kids, they are not only creating, but also building essential skills. Many of the kids crafts on this site use recycled items or items you've already got in the home.

As a special resource, I've added additional OT crafts and ideas that use items in the home, making schooling at home or telehealth services easier when it comes to coming up with occupational therapy teletherapy activity ideas.

Occupational Therapy Crafts

There are so many developmental benefits to crafting with kids. Use the occupational therapy craft ideas in planning in person or OT teletherapy services. Other crafts can be sent home as an OT home program idea. Children can create while working on skills like fine motor dexterity and strength, line awareness, scissor skills, language, self-confidence, problem solving, tool use, and more.

What's more, is that kids can create within their interests and will not even realize they are working on skill areas as they craft. Some of these OT craft ideas can pair nicely with homeschooling or schooling at home unit studies and classroom lessons. The best news is that I've strived to include loads of recycled crafts so using recycled materials in craft creation is easy.

Scroll through our collection of crafts and choose a few to do with your children. Have fun crafting! And don't forget to stop back soon, we'll be adding more crafts soon.

Kids Crafts With Items in the Home

Items in the home can be used in crafts Try some of these items:

Paper bags

Newspaper

Paper towels

Shredded paper

Plastic food containers

Clothes pins

Cardboard boxes

Tissue Boxes

Wrapping paper

Post-It Notes

Coffee Filters

Fine Motor Occupational Therapy Crafts

Occupational therapy crafts many times, center around the development of fine motor skills. Cutting, pasting, tearing, positioning, beading, knotting, sewing...all of these functional tasks require fine motor strength, coordination, grasp, precision, manipulation of craft materials and tools.

Below, you'll find crafts for kids that can be used to promote fine motor development, refine the skills needed for other fine motor tasks.

Occupational therapy craft materials

But first, what are some crafting materials you can add to your occupational therapy toolbox? Consider adding these items to your therapy bag:

Craft pom poms

Clothes pins

Various grades of paper

Scissors

Glue (Squeeze glue in a bottle is best for hand strength development)

Beads

Pipe cleaners

Paper clips

Straws

Cardboard

Yarn

Buttons

Cupcake liners

There are many other craft materials out there that support fine motor development, but with this small list of materials, you can create a huge array of crafts that support skill-building in OT sessions.

Fine Motor Crafts for Kids

These fine motor crafts for kids work on specific fine motor skills: strength, dexterity, manipulation of materials, in hand manipulation, and pinch and grip. Children creating these crafts gain experience in the small motor skills needed for tasks like object manipulation, tool use, pencil grasp, clothing fasteners, and any small motor activity.

Textured Crafts for Kids

These craft ideas incorporate various textures and textiles, giving kids experience in manipulating a variety of materials. All of that experience adds up: children become more confident in manipulating materials.

Learning Crafts

These kids crafts add learning components. Make the scarecrow craft and add math problems. The germ crafts are great for a lesson on washing hands and germs. Add these crafts to a lesson plan.

Preschool Crafts for Kids

These craft ideas cover nursery rhymes and preschool themes. They are great ways to help preschoolers develop important skills: fine motor work, scissor skills, shapes, early math, direction following, and more.

Simple Shape Crafts for Kids

These crafts are easy to make and great for kids just learning to use and manipulate scissors. The simple shape crafts hare much like tangrams: Building the craft requires kids to use visual motor integration skills to place the shapes where they go in alignment with others on the page. They are great tools for developing spatial awareness and position in space skills.

Process Art Crafts for Kids

These process art crafts are great for occupational therapy because they add messy, sensory play. Kids gain experience with tactile input through various textures and gain confidence, creativity, communication skills, and learning.

Creative painting is such a fun way to explore the senses and create with color theory. Kids will love these creative painting activities:

Book Crafts for Kids

These book related crafts are based on preschool books. Read the book, talk about the concepts in the book and complete the crafts. You can come up with a whole therapy lesson plan or classroom lesson plan based on these preschool book crafts.

Recycled Crafts for Kids

Kids can use items like recycled plastic bottles, bottle caps, egg cartons, newspapers, and so many other items in occupational therapy crafts that build skills. Consider some of these recycled items that can be used in crafts for kids:

Plastic water bottles

Bottle caps

Paper Towel Tubes

Toilet Paper Tubes

Bread ties

Egg cartons

Cardboard boxes

Takeout containers

Food containers

Tissue paper

Cereal boxes

Worksheets or printer paper

Old crafts or artwork

Junk mail

Paper Material Crafts

Items like recycled paper tubes, egg cartons, and coffee filters are great for developing fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination skills.

Year-Round Crafts for Kids

These craft ideas can be used with any theme in the school setting, in preschool classrooms, or in occupational therapy sessions year round. Use these crafts to support child development skills any time of year.

Use these animal crafts for kids to support fine motor development, eye-hand coordination skills, scissor skills, and more with a fun animal theme.

Summer Crafts for Kids

These summer craft ideas will have kids developing skills during the summer months. Use these as occupational therapy home programs over the summer months to work on scissor skills, handwriting, and fine motor strength.

These Fall themed craft support child development and motor skills using sunflowers, Fall leaves, school buses, and other fun Fall themes.

These Winter crafts support development of skills using snowflakes, ice, winter birds, and other Winter themes.

Spring Crafts for Pediatric OCcupational therapy

These Spring themed crafts develop fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination, dexterity, scissor skills, and more...all with fun holiday and seasonal Spring crafts for occupational therapy sessions!

More kids Craft Ideas:

These are crafts we've created! We love to add fine motor and sensory details into each of our crafts. Colleen's background as an occupational therapist provides expert input about the visual, fine motor, and sensory aspects of our crafts. We love to have fun creating and hope you get a few ideas from our list! We're always creating, so stop back often to see more ideas.

KIDS' CRAFTS FOR ALL-SEASONS

For more crafts and tools to support fine motor skills, grab one of our Fine Motor Kits! Each one includes themed cut and paste crafts, tissue paper art, glue art, lacing cards, and much more. Check them out!

Use these Fine Motor Kits for hands-on activity kits to develop fine motor skills, strength, dexterity, and manipulation. Kids LOVE these fine motor kits for the motivating activities. Therapists love them because it's fresh, fun ways to work on pinch, grip, manipulation skills, and much more. Try some of these themed therapy kits:

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Occupational Therapy crafts for kids - The OT Toolbox

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Occupational therapy crafts, and essentially any crafts for kids, are a central part to the typical pediatric OT session. There is a reason why these crafts for kids are so popular on our website: Occupational therapy is founded in craft-making.

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The Top Ten Benefits of Crafting for Adults

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10 benefits of crafting

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The Top Ten Benefits of Crafting for Adults

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If you had asked me about getting into crafting routine a year ago, I would have been a bit intimidated. For one, I wouldn’t even know where to start. I wouldn’t know what projects to do or where to go to get the materials, let alone how to do those projects. Also, being a more left-brain orientated…

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Self Esteem and Character Building Activities for Kids

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Crafting- Self esteem for kids

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No doubt, you've probably heard a variation on the popular expression, "character is who you are when nobody is looking". No matter what innovative resources you use, or the quality of education your child receives, none of it will matter if your child grows up lacking integrity and a healthy sense of self-esteem.

Sometimes we feel that kids naturally pick up our values and principals just by being around us, and while kids are very impressionable, teaching our kids to love themselves and others should be explicit. Keep reading to discover easy ideas to build your child's self-esteem and character!

Make an "All About Me" Cutout Poster

What You'll Need:

1 large sheet of construction paper

Makers or crayons

Scissors

How to Make It:

This easy activity will teach your child to love him or herself by finding the aspects about themselves that make them happy! First, help your child to cut out a large circle or heart in the middle of the construction paper. Be sure that the opening is large enough to show your child's entire face. On the remaining paper surrounding the cutout, help your child to write several words that they think describe themselves.

These should be positive adjectives like, "creative", "funny", etc. Encourage your little learner to write out every positive word they can think of to describe themselves, and help him or her to decorate the paper with favorite colors and designs. When finished, have your child pose for a picture or look in a mirror as they place their face in the cutout and read out all the words they chose!

The Pay It Forward Challenge

What You'll Need:

A notecard or invitation

Printer

A list of ideas

How to Complete It:

One of the best character building activities for kids is simply encouraging kids to do something nice! This activity will "invite" your child to complete a random act of kindness. To start, make an invitation for your child-this can be done by hand, or you can create a printed card using your computer and printer at home. On the card, include the rules of your "Pay It Forward Challenge".

The rules should include a message for your child to do something nice for someone or something and give your child a specific due date. The rules are up to you, but there should be a call to action and a deadline for when the act of kindness should be completed. On the back of the card, brainstorm with your child a list of ideas. They can choose to do anything from donating time, volunteering, to small acts like simply committing to compliment someone. Whatever your child chooses, he or she will learn the rewards of giving back while feeling good about him or herself!

A Card to Myself

What You'll Need:

Construction paper

Markers

Crayons

Small crafts your child enjoys

How to Make It:

Self-esteem activities for kids should be easy and fun, and this quick activity will boost your child's self-confidence and sense of self-respect! Using construction paper, help your child make a card for themselves. This is a wonderful activity to complete on a favorite day, like a birthday or Valentine's Day. Help your child think of ways to complete the following sentence stem: "I love that I can...". Let your child finish the sentence and illustrate what they love about themselves. Using small crafts, stickers, or other designs, encourage your child to decorate the card!

Create a Thankful Booklet

What You'll Need:

Printer paper

Construction paper, or a blank book

Binding (use a stapler to fold paper in half to create an easy DIY booklet)

Crayons or colored pencils

How to Make It:

This fun activity can turn into a multi-day project any time of the year to instill in your child a sense of gratitude and giving! First, talk to your child about what it means to be thankful for something or someone, and ask what he or she thinks it means to give thanks. Give your child an example of something they care for if your child is struggling to think of something to be thankful for.

Each day, ask your child what one thing they are thankful for that day. It can be a friend, family member, or anything they feel thankful for. On a new page in the booklet, help your child write down in a sentence what they're thankful for, and encourage your child to draw a picture to represent that idea. Over several days or a month, compile a booklet of things that your child is thankful for, and encourage him or her to think of ways to show gratitude for those things!

Academics are important, but so is self-development! We all want to see our kids grow up with a healthy concept of self-care and esteem so they can blossom into caring individuals that care about themselves and others! Using the above ideas, let's get started building self-esteem and character with fun and easy activities perfect for little learners!

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Self Esteem and Character Building Activities for Kids

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No doubt, you've probably heard a variation on the popular expression, "character is who you are when nobody is looking". No matter what innovative resources you use, or the quality of education your child receives, none of it will matter if your child grows up lacking integrity and a healthy sense of self-esteem.

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Steps to selling crafts

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Download Article

For many people making crafts is a hobby. It can be a form of relaxation, or a way to provide handmade gifts to family and friends. But some people make supplementary income by selling crafts, or even do it as a full-time job. To make money selling crafts, doing the actual crafting is only part of the process. You need to strategize, prioritize, and advertise, among other things.

Be optimistically realistic. However much scouting, planning, and number-crunching you do, selling crafts for a profit is always going to be a bit of a crapshoot. What works for some may not work for others, for a variety of reasons known and unknown.

Don't go into the process expecting to make big money right away, or you are bound to be disappointed. It takes time to start making money selling crafts, and even that is not always enough.

So, there is no guarantee of success, but there is also nothing that says you cannot be successful. A positive attitude can go a long way, especially during the lean times early on.

1. Market your product and yourself. Whether you are selling in person or online, you need to spread the word about your craftwork and about you, the craftsperson. Especially when buying handmade items, people like to feel a connection to the artisan.

When selling at a craft fair or other locale in person, distribute professional-grade business cards. Also try to build a "mailing" list - although email or social media accounts may be more appropriate these days.

Create a business website where people can visit and learn more about your little enterprise.

Spread the word on social media via friends and family.

Emphasize personalized customer service, regardless of sales venue. Ship orders promptly, and provide contact information for service or questions. Consider providing refunds, exchanges, or repairs.

2. Sell online. Gone are the days when crafters had to rely exclusively on craft shows. The internet can act as one giant, never-ending craft show if you utilize it well.

Etsy.com is probably the most well-known of numerous sites that focus on the sale of handmade items. There, you have the opportunity to create your own little online "shop." Make the most of it by creating an enticing name, logo, images, and descriptive stories of your business and your product(s) for sale.

Professional quality photographs of your crafts are now the standard for sales on such sites. Take the time, or pay the price, to get the best shots of your product.

If you don't know much about search engine optimization (SEO), learn. You need to choose the right titles and tags in order to direct search engine traffic to your page.

Sites like Etsy take a cut of your profits, of course. So, if you are web savvy, you may want to consider selling over your own site. This may serve you better after you have developed a solid customer base, however.

3. Set up shop at festivals. While online sales have superseded them for many crafters, selling at festivals and craft shows can still be a keystone of your strategy. After all, there is no better way to show the quality of your wares, and use your charms as the craftsperson, than in person.

There are many online resources that can provide information on festivals and shows nationwide and in your region.

Start with festivals in your local area, and start small. Perhaps you can "sublet" some space in another vendor's stall, for instance. Don't go "all in" until you see how your product sells.

Scout festivals first whenever possible. Get a feel for the atmosphere and whether items like yours are likely to sell well. Festival ads and reviews are helpful, but cannot replace the value of seeing things with your own eyes.

Be a people-person in your booth. Talk to people. Tell your story. If possible, conduct demonstrations of you creating your crafts, or show videos of the process.

4. Get your product into stores. Instead of trying to compete with retailers both large and small, try to work with them. Your quality products and their customer volume can make a profitable combination.

As with craft shows, starting small and starting local in the retail setting can help you "get your feet wet" and better determine the profit viability of your craftwork.

Look first for businesses in your area that focus on selling local handmade products. Then consider retailers that sell products that are comparable or complementary to yours.

Prepare a sales pitch for owners or managers of potential retail shops. If you can provide specific information on sales projections, anticipated profits, etc., you will likely increase your odds of success.

When possible, try to negotiate an arrangement that lets you set up your crafts as a virtual shop-within-a-shop. Display your crafts together, along with business cards or other promotional materials.

5. Sell products out of your home. If your specialty is framed artwork targeted toward children, ask around at pediatrician offices, kids' clothing stores, daycare centers, and the like. See if you can place some of your product and provide information about sales from your home.

Advertise with flyers, social media posts, and so on for a craft party to be held at your home. Display your product line(s), show where they are made, and work to build up an interested potential customer base.

Wherever you are selling, at home, online, or at shows or stores, make sure you know the rules.

When selling from home, you may need to deal with local business licensing and permitting regulations.

Craft shows and websites like Etsy will have their own lists of rules and regulations that you need to know and follow to continue selling there.

Wherever you sell, you probably need to know how to collect taxes on your sales. The website or craft show may be able to help you out with advice on the process, or you may have to navigate the process alone. Don't just skip this step, assuming that no one will ever notice You could very easily regret it down the line.

Add New Question

How do you set up a social media marketing presence?

Ylva Bosemark is a high school entrepreneur and the founder of White Dune Studio, a small company that specializes in laser cut jewelry. As a young adult herself, she is passionate about inspiring other young adults to turn their passions into business ventures.

I use a platform that allows me to plan my posts weeks or months in advance. That way, I know I'm reaching out to my followers, but I can also plan ahead and don't have to stress about posting every day, which can be draining. Planning out my posts beforehand has been a lifesaver.

See more answers

Consider applying for a tax exempt number so you can purchase materials wholesale and increase your profits.

You could also make seasonal crafts to make extra money around certain holidays or special events. For example, you could make Rakhi around Raksha Bandhan or evergreen wreaths during the Christmas season.

Do not purchase huge amounts of materials and spend time creating a vast amount of items until you determine what sells. The popularity of crafts often comes and goes. You may be wasting a lot of time and money creating products that will not sell.

This article was co-authored by Ylva Bosemark and by wikiHow staff writer, Christopher M. Osborne, PhD. Ylva Bosemark is a high school entrepreneur and the founder of White Dune Studio, a small company that specializes in laser cut jewelry. As a young adult herself, she is passionate about inspiring other young adults to turn their passions into business ventures. This article has been viewed 152,339 times.

Updated: November 2, 2021

To make money selling crafts, you'll need to choose something that you're passionate about and market your products well. Choose a craft that you enjoy making, like woven baskets or ceramics, since you'll need to invest a lot of time in producing your sale items. Develop your craft-making abilities over a period of time before you start selling, which will help ensure that the crafts you have on offer are high quality pieces that will sell. Once you've mastered your product, advertise it on social media. Attend local craft fairs to meet new customers and build up your reputation. You can also use selling websites like etsy.com to sell your items. You'll increase your chances of generating sales by having good quality pictures of your products on your site. For tips from our Craft co-author on how to set an appropriate price for your crafts, keep reading!

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 152,339 times.

Kayleigh Tench

"I appreciate the advice and tips given, it was very thorough. Thank you!"

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For many people making crafts is a hobby. It can be a form of relaxation, or a way to provide handmade gifts to family and friends. But some people make supplementary income by selling crafts, or even do it as a full-time job. To make...

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Top Ways to Make Money Crafting | LoveToKnow

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5 top ways of selling craft

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If you're interested in turning your hobby into a source of supplemental income, you may find yourself searching for the top ways to make money crafting. Earning money as a crafter isn't easy, but it can be done!

5 Top Ways to Make Money Crafting

Obviously, the most popular way to make money selling crafts is to set up a booth at a local craft show. However, this is by no means the only opportunity you have to turn your skills into some extra cash.

Related Articles

Sell Crafts Online

The trouble with selling merchandise at a traditional craft show is that these events only take place on special occasions. You also need to travel to the event, pay a registration fee, and have people on hand to physically staff your booth. When you sell crafts online, however, your merchandise can instantly be seen by people throughout the world. While it's true there is more competition when selling online, the convenience of e-commerce and the lower overhead costs make this option well worth considering.

Although a lot of crafters have had success selling handmade items on eBay, you may be better off selling on Etsy. Unlike eBay, Etsy is devoted exclusively to handmade merchandise. This ensures that people visiting the site are already aware of the time, effort, and creativity that you've put into your products.

Sell Patterns or Kits

If you're not comfortable selling finished crafts online, another great way to earn money is by selling patterns or project kits. Here are some ideas to consider:

Sell downloadable patterns for sewing, quilting, or embroidery

Assemble kits with everything a beginning beader needs to make a necklace or bracelet, including instructions and a photograph of the finished design

Sell pre-made scrapbooks that people just need to add their own photos to in order to finish the album

Create craft projects geared towards a specific niche market, such as children or people with disabilities

Sell Craft Supplies

Selling craft supplies is another great way to make money from your hobby. While most people are familiar with Mary Kay, Avon, Pampered Chef, and other similar home party plans, you may want to keep in mind that there are a number of direct sales companies looking for consultants with a passion for crafting. For example, Touchstone Crystal lets you sell jewelry kits that can be personalized. Consultants host home parties that introduce novice crafters to the basics of beading, hopefully inspiring them to attempt more complicated projects in the future.

Teach Other Crafters

Although it's certainly possible to learn a new craft through books, magazine articles, and online tutorials, there are still lots of people who prefer to be taught by a person who is available to answer questions when they get stuck. If you have the patience to demonstrate your skills to others, you can look for teaching opportunities in the following areas:

Classes taught at large craft stores such as Hobby Lobby or specialty retailers such as scrapbooking shops and knitting stores

Community centers

Community college continuing education classes

Classes given to children as entertainment for birthday parties and other special events

Private instruction for interested individuals

Write about Your Hobby

If you have strong communications skills, writing about your favorite craft hobby can be a wonderful way to earn some extra money. Here are a few ideas to consider:

Create a blog with postings about your latest crafting endeavors and make money from Google advertising or Amazon.com affiliate links

Submit how-to articles to sites such as eHow or Bukisa and earn money from revenue sharing programs

Apply for freelance writing jobs for publications that specialize in covering craft-related topics

Crafters who have the ability to shoot and edit video may want to keep in mind that many Web sites will also accept video tutorials demonstrating various craft projects.

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Top Ways to Make Money Crafting | LoveToKnow

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
If you're interested in turning your hobby into a source of supplemental income, you may find yourself searching for the top ways to make money crafting. Earning money as a crafter isn't easy, but it can be done! Obviously, the most popular way to make money selling crafts is to set up a booth at a local craft show.

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The Surprising Mental Health Benefits of DIY Gifts

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Benefits of crafting. Different studies

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We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here's our process.

There's nothing like a homemade gift.

It's not only the thought that goes into it, but the personalization, the uniqueness, and the time spent making it.

As it turns out, DIYing is good for the doer too. It offers a range of mental health benefits that are associated with crafting up something special.

Knowing what to make is a different story though.

That's why we put together this list of 10 DIY presents perfect for the season of giving, plus the health benefits of going homemade.

More than just a good way to kill some time, DIY activities can have a range of positive effects on mental health.

Art therapists have been doing research for years on the health and well-being benefits of crafting.

A 2010 review suggests that crafting and engaging in creative activities may help decrease anxiety, stress, and mood disturbances, as well improve well-being and quality of life.

One found that people who engaged in arts and crafts, such as music, painting, drawing, textile crafts, and creative writing experienced lower levels of mental distress. They also experienced higher levels of mental functioning and life satisfaction.

A 2018 study suggests that crafting is calming, may promote successful aging, and even has long-term social and cultural benefits.

All good things. So let's get started!

Doodling is the art of creating drawings or scribbling unconsciously or absentmindedly. Most of us can probably find some examples in our old school books.

More than a symptom of boredom, doodling also has a range of mental health benefits, including relaxation and reducing stress, mood regulation, memory recall, and creativity.

To turn drawing into a nifty DIY holiday gift, you can jazz up clothing or accessories for a loved one.

For example, grab a plain white pair of sneakers and put your own flair on them with a sharpie. This gift would be great for a younger sibling, cousin, or friend who loves to rock funky kicks.

Alternatively, you can doodle on a plain tote bag for an artsy aunt or uncle.

You can even turn your regular greeting cards into doodling masterpieces. All you need is plain card stock and some markers to make beautiful designs.

SweetPlanIt has some great ideas for simple, festive holiday doodles.

Baking some treats makes for a great gift. After all, who doesn't like some delicious homemade bites?

Not only does spending time in the kitchen make the whole house smell festive and inviting, it also provides mental health benefits.

showed that adolescents with more cooking skills reported an overall greater sense of mental well-being and had fewer symptoms of depression.

Another study indicated that culinary therapy could help with grief.

Baking also makes for a versatile gift that's good for just about anyone.

Make a plate of gingerbread cookies for the office, some sugar cookies for little ones in the family, or some peppermint fudge for dad.

You can even make gluten-free and sugar-free variations to suit different health needs.

Clay work has long been incorporated into art therapy as a means of creative expression. Research suggests it has therapeutic qualities, like increasing self-expression and reflection.

A 2012 study on creative clay work suggests that clay handling may greatly reduce negative moods and enhance positive ones.

Some research indicates that clay work may aid emotional regulation and depression.

To sculpt at home, you're going to need some clay.

If you don't own or have access to a kiln, look for self-hardening clay, also known as air-fried or non-firing clay. This type of clay will set without casting.

For example, try AMACO Air Dry Clay or Jovi Premium Air Dry Clay.

Polymer clay is also a fun option if you have the time to stick it in the oven. It comes in different colors and can be re-fired multiple times if you make changes or add additional clay.

Sculpey is a popular brand, and there are also kits available.

You can mold the clay into whatever form you'd like using your hands or common kitchen tools. You can make a ring dish for your spouse, a coaster for mom, or some clay plant pots for the green thumbs in the family.

You can find great ideas for clay gifts on Delicious and DIY.

Making a homemade holiday wreath not only encompasses the mental health benefits of crafting, it also offers an opportunity to get out in nature to gather your supplies.

There is a range of evidence to support the mental health benefits of being in nature or actively participating with it. This includes reducing levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, and reducing rumination on negative thoughts.

Experiencing nature has also been linked with having effects on memory, attention, concentration, impulse inhibition, and mood.

Exercise in nature has been shown to improve self-esteem and mood, according to a 2019 study.

As a plus, you can grab some green to make your wreath while you're enjoying the outdoors. Just make sure it comes from somewhere it's OK to forage (for instance, not your neighbor's yard).

To make your wreath, start by grabbing some wire or metal frames, such as this 12-inch three pack or this 8-inch five pack.

Then, go out in nature and collect some fresh leaves, greenery, fresh flowers, pine cones, and other flora to work into the frame.

There are lots of styles to choose from, including thistle and pine, magnolia and citrus, fresh flowers and berries, or you can make up your own blend.

You can also try incorporating battery-operated lights to give your wreath a pretty nighttime glow.

This gift is perfect for parents, grandparents, or anyone who'd enjoy a low maintenance offering. Your homemade wreath will double as a way to brighten up their home or living space and as a reminder of your love for them.

If you have a sewing machine at home, a homemade quilt makes an excellent gift.

While this option may take a bit more skill, practice, and planning, it's a functional, thoughtful gift that really shows you care.

Some research has shown that quilting can enhance overall well-being. For instance, a 2018 dissertation found that quilting was linked to positive emotion, creativity, and improved relationships.

To make a quilt, you need to either choose a pattern or create your own design.

To find design options online, try Live Art Gallery Fabrics. Then gather the necessary tools and get to work cutting and sewing the patchwork.

For a more thorough guide, head to We All Sew to get step-by-step instructions.

A quilt makes a perfect gift for the homebodies and movie lovers in the family. They can cuddle up on the couch with their cozy quilt and queue up their favorite streaming service.

Grab a canvas and paint a picture for a loved one. It may just foster feelings of empowerment and self-expression.

A 2013 study explored art therapy as a potential support for mental health treatment, linking it to a greater sense of well-being and independence. Another study noted that art therapy may serve as a coping tool for change.

So just let your brush guide you. You can also follow an online tutorial, for example Step By Step Painting or Maven Art's painting tutorials for beginners.

If the idea of painting intimidates you or you want to go deep to use it as a healing tool, you can try a class like the Sacred Paintbrush Arts' Intuitive Painting Class. Led by Amy Alaman, she's quick to let participants know that "this is not an art class." These workshops make great gifts too.

Whatever route you go, a painting makes a sincere, heartfelt gift.

If you're new to the craft, grab a painting kit to get started. Try this acrylic paint set or this wallet-friendly watercolor starter kit.

Knitting may have positive psychological and social benefits, and even contribute to improved quality of life. These benefits include increasing and strengthening:

levels of happiness

self-esteem

confidence

a sense of accomplishment

A 2015 study found that knitting in social settings can promote positive well-being and general good health.

If you have some crafty buddies, you can get together for a socially distanced crafternoon. You can knit and catch up while you work away with your needles. Just having company during this time may be gift enough.

Another great thing about knitting is you don't need many tools. You'll need some knitting needles or you can grab a knitting kit.

For any sports fans in the family, you can knit a scarf or beanie in their team's colors. For any fashionistas in the family, add some chunky merino wool to your project and make an oversized scarf.

This pattern from Country Living doesn't even require needles.

If there are any little newcomers to the family, you can knit some mittens, a head warmer, or teeny tiny socks.

Gardens are increasingly being explored as a means to promote health and well-being, especially during the pandemic.

A recent study showed that garden-based activities may help youth improve their sense of well-being, resiliency, and belonging.

A 2016 study explored the positive health behaviors elicited through gardening, while another found that viewing plants can reduce stress, fear, anger, and sadness.

You can do a mini, gift-worthy version of gardening by making a DIY terrarium. Then pop a bow on it for a great holiday present.

You can buy a kit online to get you started.

As a plus, you'll be gifting more than just aesthetics. shows that plants in your space can increase productivity, and the leaves of the plant help to remove toxins, dust, and microorganisms from the air.

Plants may even help you get better sleep.

They make a great gift for anyone who's working from home or has just moved into a new space and could use some greenery to brighten it up.

Various has shown that music therapy can reduce anxiety, calm neural activity in the brain, and help to restore emotional balance.

A 2019 study on graduate students found that music could improve mood by lowering levels of depression.

If you're gifted on the guitar, keyboard, or any other instrument, spend an afternoon or two tinkering away on a tune for a DIY present like no other.

This is a great gift for a partner. I mean, who wouldn't want to be serenaded with a personalized melody composed by their one and only?

Alternatively, you can write a comedy song about the whole family for an after-dinner collective surprise gift. You can even share it over video chat for a quarantine-friendly treat.

Try threading away at an embroidery or cross stitch project.

An older qualitative study from 2000 suggested that embroidery provides a sense of autonomy and creativity, stimulates pride and increased sense of self-worth, and helps with tranquility amid stressful life events.

Newer research also lists embroidery as a crafting skill that can improve health and well-being.

There are plenty of embroidery starter kits to get you going, like this Christmas-themed 3 pack.

The Emma Broidery's Embroidery Stitch Tool is another great resource for learning the ins and outs of basic embroidery.

Embroidery and cross stitch is trending on Instagram these days, making a stitching kit the perfect gift for any millennials in the family.

Junebug and Darlin offers cross stitch kits with visuals and sayings infused with queer pride. Badass Cross Stitch is another great option, with political, feminist, and just plain funny quotes and patterns.

You can also get creative and create your own pattern, embroidering a favorite flower for your mom, a special quote for your sister, a snowman for your granddad, or a sassy remark for your best friend.

Arts and crafts have been linked to various mental health benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety and improving overall well-being.

With that in mind, DIY holiday gifts are a great way to give something special to a loved one while boosting your mood in the process.
Marnie Vinall is a freelance writer living in Melbourne, Australia. She's written extensively for a range of publications covering everything from politics and mental health to nostalgic sandwiches and the state of her own vagina. You can reach Marnie via , , or her .

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The Surprising Mental Health Benefits of DIY Gifts

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We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here's our process. There's nothing like a homemade gift. It's not only the thought that goes into it, but the personalization, the uniqueness, and the time spent making it.

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Crafting for Health | What are the health benefits of crafting?

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What are the health benefits of crafting

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What are the health benefits of crafting

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Different ways crafting helps mental health. Self esteem, confidence

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Crafting for Health | What are the health benefits of crafting?

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by Ashley Foster - January 24, 2019

Why try crafting?

Need a reason to craft more? Or what to tell your family when they ask about the hours you spend making scarves? Crocheting and knitting are good for you! In one study of more than 3,500 knitters, published in The British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 81% of respondents with depression reported feeling happy after knitting. More than half reported feeling "very happy.

What are the benefits of crafting?

Reduced stress. Stress is one of our leading health problems. Its effects range from migraines and fatigue to heart failure and early memory loss. Reducing stress reduces disease. Using knitting or crochet as meditation can be a daily way to minimize the effects of stress in your life.

Helps relieve and reduce depression and anxiety. Depression relief is by far the most reported and studied benefit of crochet and knitting. The repetition of the crafts has been shown to release serotonin, a natural anti-depressant.

Projects help build self-esteem. Simply visualizing, working on and then creating a product can make you feel better about yourself. This has helped people with everything from coping with the fear of unemployment to gaining the strength to leave abusive relationships.

Decreased risk of cognitive impairment as you age. Several studies have shown that knitting and crochet can postpone age-related memory loss. The crafts can also be soothing for those people who are already experiencing signs of dementia. Recently, researcher Yonas Geda, MD, a neuropsychiatrist at the Mayo Clinic, completed a study that showed knitting is neuroprotective and may reduce dementia by as much as 50%.

Can help with insomnia. Insomnia is a terrible feeling. You are tired but you can't sleep so then you're frustrated that you can't sleep, which just makes it harder to sleep. Yarncrafts to the rescue! Focus on a soft, soothing, easy, repetitive crochet or knit project and your body and mind can often wind down enough to get to bed. A study by professor Herbert Benson of the Mind/Body Medical Institute found that 100% of insomnia patients reported improved sleep with 90% being able to eliminate medication in a program that included knitting.

Relaxation reduces irritability and restlessness. Crochet and knitting can help you through any times when you feel grumpy, restless, frustrated or bored. This positive outlet preserves your relationships and keeps your mood balanced.

Builds community and friendships. No matter what health issue you are dealing with, it helps to have a community of support around you. Here' an idea. Start a craft group face-to-face or online!

Can help with grief processing. Loss is a horrible thing and none of us escape it. During periods of deep grief it can seem impossible that you'll ever be able to function again. Crochet and knitting can be one of the most comforting things during this time. It's something that you can do without a lot of money or effort. It's something you can do in small bits, when you have the energy. It can, for a moment, take your mind off of your pain. The textures and colors of the yarn, the warmth of the item that you're creating and the beautiful up/down motion of stitch upon stitch can get you one day closer to feeling okay again.

But why do crocheting and knitting help?

Relaxed, repetitive motions can help calm down the body and the brain.

Help with fine motor skills and keeping your fingers and hands feeling good as you age.

Being among friends can help combat loneliness and isolation, which can contribute to health problems.

Builds social skills.

For men and women.

Need some help getting started?

Check out the resources below.

References:
Craft Yarn Council The American Counseling Association www.redheart.com

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Crafting for Health | What are the health benefits of crafting?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
by Ashley Foster - January 24, 2019 Need a reason to craft more? Or what to tell your family when they ask about the hours you spend making scarves? Crocheting and knitting are good for you! In one study of more than 3,500 knitters, published in The British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 81% of respondents with depression reported feeling happy after knitting.

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4 reasons craft is good for your mental health

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Crafting benefits (has a few but good info)

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Engaging with the arts boosts mental wellbeing

Research published by University College London's MARCH mental health network - formed in 2018, with members including the Crafts Council and the Museums Association - shows that engaging with the visual arts can reduce reported anxiety, and that visiting museums can protect against dementia's development. 'Cultural activities encourage gentle movement, reduce social isolation, and lower inflammation and stress hormones such as cortisol,' said the report's author, Dr Daisy Fancourt. 'The arts are linked with dopamine release, which encourages cognitive flexibility, and they reduce our risk of dementia.'

Other studies back up these findings: Creative activity undertaken daily is linked to positive psychological functioning, while increased engagement with arts events, historical sites, and museums is associated with improved life satisfaction.

In a clinal context, a study on Science Direct shows that participatory art-based activities enhance the well-being and quality of life of patients. The British Journal of General Practice is also looking into the subject: it reports on a study to explore the ways that social prescribing activities may give benefits. The engagement can lead to people learning different ways to relate to other people, becoming open to the possibility of new futures and developing a positive outlook.

Craft's particular benefits for mental health are backed up by the results of the BBC Great British Creativity Test, published in 2019. Textile crafts such as embroidery, crocheting and knitting have the highest participation rates of all the arts - more than music and painting - according to the government's Taking Part survey, which shows the potential impact that making could have. Another study showed that participating in sewing as a leisure activity contributed to psychological wellbeing through increasing pride and enjoyment, self-awareness, and 'flow' in younger women.

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4 reasons craft is good for your mental health

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The benefits of craft for wellbeing and in relieving stress, anxiety, depression and cognitive functioning