Looking for frugal ideas and things to make for boys 10 years and older...

**simplemom** · 10-01-2004, 07:06 PM

I am looking for ideas for homemade gifts or crafts to make for boys between 10 yrs. and 14 yrs....

My sons are popular and have lots of friends and they get often invited to birthday parties and I am looking for a way to reduce this expense....Just this month, Daniel had two parties and I gave a$10 gift certificate to a skateboard store and another one of $15 for the same place...and the year is not finished...

Anyone have COOL ideas that I could make in advance?... Thanks!

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 10-01-2004, 11:16 PM

I will rack my brain, but LMK what you find to make as my DSs are int he same age group! I could use ideas too!

**sunshine** · 10-01-2004, 11:39 PM

Money origami! Teens and preteens love it and you can taylor the $$ to suit your budget at the moment.

Decorated cans (soup cans or similar) filled with homemade cookies or purchased candy bars.

**forestdale** · 10-02-2004, 02:06 AM

A big jar full of M&Ms. My son is 23 and he still loves this.

**simplemom** · 10-02-2004, 08:28 AM

Thanks Denise and Bethany for your sugestions. Those are very good.

Ok, I've been thinking....

Pierre has a tool that cut wood any shape...I was thinking--if he cut wood into the shape of a skateboard and I could paint it with some type of cool skate design and paint their name on it. It could be a wall hanging for their room....

I was also thinking of trying to find black or dark blue towel like stretchy materiel to make wrist bands--My 10 yr old thinks these are cool and are for wipe down the sweat on their face when they skateboard...mmm...I could sew some of these...it shouldn't be too hard...

and the last thing I found was buy a white, grey or black plain tee-shirt (not expensive) and make a skate design on it. I could trace a logo or design on cardboard and then use fabric paint....

Ok, so far this is what I found....All I can say, I have the impression it's easier to find gifts to make for girls--any age. What do you think?

Anyone have anymore ideas?

**forestdale** · 10-02-2004, 04:03 PM

Those are great ideas, Lucie. You hit the nail on the head with boys being difficult to buy for and it doesn't change as they grow up. We own a gift store and men's and boy's gifts are the hardest ones to find to stock our store with.

**momof42003** · 10-03-2004, 02:44 AM

I know that right now my sons (8 and 7) are really wanting to learn to sew.. I suggested that they find a simple pattern for pillows or such and make some Christmas gifts that way. What if your boys did something similar, but maybe travel pillows(for any long school bus rides,or the car) in the pattern that is appealing to them. Maybe a fleace pillow with a skateboard theme. Just my two cents.