15 Dollar Store Christmas Gifts Your Creative Kid Will Actually Love

Sick of scrolling through endless “DIY Christmas gift ideas” that require a glue gun, a master’s degree in crafting, and a second mortgage?
Been there. That’s why I’ve done the digging for you.

These cheap and creative Christmas gifts from the Dollar Store are tried, tested (sometimes glitter-covered), and guaranteed to delight your little artist—without draining your energy or your wallet.

So instead of spending your precious evening Googling “easy crafts for artsy kids,” just scroll down. I’ve gathered the best budget-friendly, mess-manageable, and actually fun gift ideas, so you can check “creative kid gift” off your list and move on to more important things. Like… hiding snacks from them.

Quick Peek – Click to Jump to Your Favorite Gift Idea:

1. The Dollar Store Creative Kid Starter Kit
2. Dollar Store Dinosaur Gifts – for dino lovers
3. Dollar Store Nature Gifts – for little biologists
4. Dollar Store Unicorn Gifts – for glitter-loving daydreamers
5. Dollar Store Gifts for Kids Who Love Pretend Play

Curious to explore more? CLICK HERE to check out this article full of creative Dollar Store Christmas gifts for imaginative kids like:

1. Dollar Store Christmas Gifts for Kids Who Love Animals
2. Dollar Store Christmas Gifts for Little Chefs
3. Dollar Store Christmas Gifts for Young Builders
4. Dollar Store Christmas Gifts for Curious Kids Who Love Science

I remember those days vividly—two little girls with big imaginations and zero fear of permanent markers.
As a mom (and a social pedagogue), I learned the hard way that giving a creative kid a random toy is like handing a chef a frozen pizza.
Back then, I spent hours curating activities, hunting for affordable supplies, and trying to balance craft time with real life (you know, laundry, meals, occasional sleep).
That’s why I created this list—for you, standing in the middle of the Dollar Store wondering if pipe cleaners and googly eyes count as a “real gift.”
Spoiler: they do. When packaged right, they can become pure creative gold.

1. The Dollar Store Creative Kid Starter Kit

Everything you need for crafty magic — without maxing out your sanity or your wallet.

Let’s be honest—if you have a creative kid at home, you’re one spilled glitter jar away from either a masterpiece or a meltdown.
That’s why I always kept a stash of craft supplies on hand when my girls were little. Think of it as your “Parent Survival Kit: Creative Edition”—perfect for rainy days, last-minute birthday cards, or those “I’m bored” battles five minutes after breakfast.

The best part? You can grab most (if not all) of this list from your local Dollar Store… and keep it neatly tucked away for holiday magic, school projects, or spontaneous unicorn-inspired masterpieces.

20 Must-Have Craft Supplies for Creative Kids

(a.k.a. What to toss in your basket and feel like an organized crafting goddess)

Quick heads-up: yes, I added Amazon links (but here’s why)

Oh, and in case your local Dollar Store is tragically lacking in pom-poms (or you just don’t feel like wrestling with holiday parking and fluorescent lighting), I’ve included Amazon links for some item too.
Not because I want to sell you stuff—I mean, yes, technically I do get a few cents if you click—but mostly because:

• You’re busy. (Crafting is fun. Shopping… not always.)
• Two-day shipping > tantrums in aisle 4.
• I’ve been that parent searching for “googly eyes near me” at 9 PM.

So consider the links a shortcut, not a sales pitch.
Click if you want, ignore if you’ve got a glue stick stash already rivaling a small art school.

1. Glue sticks – multiple. Always more than you think.
2. Washable liquid glue – for the kids, not the walls. 👉👉👉 Amazon offer
3. Safety scissors – bonus points if they’re shaped like animals.
4. Colored construction paper – because white paper is for taxes.
5. Pipe cleaners – AKA instant 3D dragons or crown accessories.
6. Googly eyes – because everything is better with googly eyes. 👉👉👉 Amazon offer
7. Washi tape – decorative AND fixes everything (kinda). 👉👉👉 Amazon offer
8. Craft pom-poms – small, fluffy joy. 👉👉👉 Amazon offer
9. Popsicle sticks – the humble building block of every craft kingdom.
10. Glitter glue pens – sparkle without the full glitter trauma. 👉👉👉 Amazon offer
11. Felt sheets – soft, sturdy, easy to cut = win.
12. Mini paint pots – even better if they’re washable.
13. Paintbrush set – because Q-tips only go so far.
14. Stickers – letters, animals, snowflakes… they’ll all end up on your fridge. 👉👉👉 Amazon offer
15. Markers and crayons – the OG art tools.
16. Stampers and ink pads – for the kid who likes repetition (and chaos). 👉👉👉 Amazon offer
17. Beads and string – motor skill magic disguised as jewelry.
18. Plastic trays or muffin tins – keep the chaos semi-contained.
19. Ziplock bags or containers – for sorting all those microscopic craft bits.
20. A “craft box” or shoebox – to keep everything in one place and feel smugly prepared.

2. Dollar Store Dinosaur Gifts for Creative Kids

(a.k.a. your little T-Rex-in-training)

Does your kid know more about the Cretaceous period than your average museum tour guide?
Then congratulations—you’ve got a true dino-obsessed creative genius at home. This is the kid who turns cardboard boxes into fossil dig sites and can name 14 types of raptors before breakfast.
So instead of getting another generic coloring book, why not put together a DIY dinosaur gift bundle that channels their prehistoric passion and keeps them creating?

---

Why This Works

Creative play meets focused interest = magic.
When kids create based on what they already love (like T-Rexes or dino eggs), they’re more likely to:

• Stick with the project longer (hello, attention span!)
• Build fine motor skills through cutting, gluing, stamping, and sculpting
• Learn through storytelling (“This one’s a baby triceratops. His name is Kyle.”)
• Develop confidence by making something they’re genuinely proud of

Plus: dino-themed crafts are great screen-free play options and double as pretend play props afterward.
Think: one craft session = hours of roaring entertainment.

3. Dollar Store Nature Gifts for Creative Kids

(a.k.a. your future field biologist)

This is the kid who comes home with “just one more rock” in each pocket—and three sticks tucked into their hoodie for good measure.
They know the names of every leaf on your street (and probably gave them personalities), and their idea of fun includes dirt, bugs, and serious pinecone analysis.
If your little one is both curious and creative, a nature-inspired craft kit from the Dollar Store is the perfect gift—they’ll actually use it, love it, and probably build a bug hotel out of the packaging.

---

Why This Works

Kids who love nature tend to thrive when their creativity connects to the real world around them. Here’s why this kind of DIY nature gift is a win:

• It sharpens observation skills: Natural materials encourage kids to slow down and notice details—like texture, shape, and pattern.
• It’s rich in sensory input: Leaves, bark, stones, moss… nature is the ultimate tactile playground.
• It allows open-ended creativity: There are no instructions in the forest, and that’s exactly the point.
• It fosters environmental connection: When kids create with nature, they begin to value and care for it.
• It’s low-cost, high-imagination: A pinecone, some glue, and a touch of Dollar Store magic = woodland masterpiece.

Nature-themed gifts are especially great for kids who don’t love overly structured crafts but thrive on exploration and storytelling through materials they’ve collected themselves.

4. Dollar Store Unicorn Gifts for Creative Kids

(a.k.a. your glitter-loving daydreamer)

If it sparkles, she loves it. If it has a horn, it’s automatically magical.
This is the child who turns every piece of paper into a rainbow masterpiece and every craft session into a unicorn parade. She doesn’t just color—she creates realms.
For a glitter-obsessed, creativity-fueled little artist, a Dollar Store unicorn-themed gift bundle is basically a portal to joy.

---

Why This Works

When you combine magical thinking with hands-on creativity, kids like this absolutely shine:

• It taps into imagination: Unicorns live in worlds without limits—exactly the kind of mental playground creative kids thrive in.
• It encourages self-expression: Through color, sparkle, and whimsy, these kids show who they are.
• It feels personal: Unicorns often symbolize uniqueness, which resonates deeply with kids who like to “do things their own way.”
• It supports emotional development: Fantastical themes help children explore big feelings in playful, low-pressure ways.
• Plus… glitter. Enough said.

This type of themed gift is ideal for kids who enjoy crafts with flair—think pom-poms, rhinestones, pastel foam shapes, and anything that requires at least three shades of pink.

5. Dollar Store Gifts for Kids Who Love Pretend Play

(a.k.a. your little world-builder)

This is the child who turns couch cushions into castles and forks into magic wands.
Whether they’re playing doctor, opening a “store” in the hallway, or narrating entire storylines with paper towel rolls, pretend play is their superpower.
For these kids, a Dollar Store pretend play gift bundle isn’t just fun—it’s fuel for their inner world.

---

Why This Works

Pretend play is one of the richest forms of early creativity. Here’s why DIY pretend kits are a slam dunk:

• It builds narrative thinking: Kids who invent characters and stories are strengthening the same skills they’ll use in reading and writing.
• It supports emotional development: Through roleplay, they process real-life experiences in safe, playful ways.
• It encourages independence: These kids take the lead, assign roles, and set the rules—hello, leadership skills!
• It engages multiple senses: Props, costumes, voices—it’s full-body creativity.
• And it keeps them busy for hours. (No explanation needed.)

Pretend play kits can be themed or open-ended—either way, they empower kids to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary using just a few well-placed Dollar Store finds and a whole lot of imagination.

Final Thoughts – Because the Best Gift Isn’t in the Box

Whichever idea you choose—whether it’s glitter glue, googly eyes, or a full-blown DIY dinosaur excavation kit—remember this: the real magic isn’t in the craft.
It’s in the moment.

If you can, give yourself permission to slow down for just 15 minutes. Sit on the floor. Join in the mess. Let them explain their wild idea. Let them lead.
Because that’s when they open up. That’s when they tell you things you didn’t even know they were thinking.
That’s when they feel seen—not for being “good” or “quiet” or “productive,” but for being exactly who they are.

And you?
You’re doing an amazing job. Seriously.
Whether you’re crushing Pinterest-level crafts or handing them a glue stick and hoping for the best, you’re showing up—and that’s what matters most.

So deep breath, mama. You don’t need to be perfect.
You just need to be present.
And if there’s glitter in your hair by the end? Even better. ❤️❤️💜💜

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see Disclaimer policy for more information.