Kid Crafts: Surprise Summer Gifts for Father’s Day, Birthdays or…Just Because
Today, we are going to “make” surprise gifts; a large part of today’s activity will not be so much “making,” as “assembling” the gift. These may be used for any occasion, but we will be focusing on summer-themed gift giving. These may work for birthday presents, or be just the thing for Father’s Day.
Also, these particular gifts would be ideal to place on a neighbor’s porch as a surprise. You might even start a trend in your neighborhood if you make the neighborhood surprise gifts with your children, along with two or three of their friends, and go as a group to place them on porches and doorsteps. More on that later.
Materials
– Coverings to protect clothing and surfaces while working
– Gallon size clear ziplock bags
– Small paper lunch bags (white if you can find them, but tan are fine)
– Crayons, markers and/or paints to decorate the lunch bags.
Directions
1. Decide, with your children, who the gift recipient will be.
2. Decorate one lunch bag for each gift. Be sure the recipient’s name is on the bag.
3. Shop for very little gift items that will fit into the bag and still have some room to spare. It may be easier if you can arrange to take one child at a time, but that is not a requirement. WalMart and most of the dollar stores have sections with inexpensive items and bundles – such as soaps or decorative items – that could be put in such bags. Also, if you are making bags for Father’s Day, a multi-pack of inexpensive tools that can be separated is a possibility. Wrapped candies are another possibility if desired/appropriate.
4. Assemble the gifts into the bags and fold down the tops of the bags away from the names and decorations. Fasten with clear tape or paper clips.
5. Place the lunch bag into the gallon ziplock plastic bag and seal it.
Special Directions
If you have decided to make surprise gifts for neighbors, this section is especially for that situation. In the lunch bag, put a note saying something like: “This is a happy surprise from a neighbor. We hope that soon you will give another neighbor a happy surprise.” The ziplock bags are especially important here, to protect the gifts from possible dampness from sitting outdoors.
You need to find a secure place to put the gift. If you know the person’s schedule – such as when he or she usually comes home from work – it is fun to go with your child to place gifts, and then watch from a distance while the neighbor “finds” the anonymous gift.
It’s a great way for your child to spread just a little bit of joy to your neighbors this summer.
Sherryl LaPointe, a retired teacher and children’s minister, lives with her husband, Harris, and dog, Muffin, in Gulfport. They enjoy frequent visits from their daughter, Linette. Sherryl enjoys pursuing many hobbies including crafts, art and writing.
