Now that the holiday season is here, it’s a great way to introduce your child to the joy of gifting presents that are wrapped in lovely paper they made on their own. These wrapping paper ideas are easy and fun to create, and inexpensive to boot! Plus, they are simple enough for a 3 year old to try.

Before beginning any of these, spread out a large plastic sheet on a work table or on the floor. If possible, create a space for the project outside the house. Make sure he’s dressed up in something comfortable, but old – finger painting can be messy!

Finger Painting Wrapping Paper

What You’ll Need

• White or colored paper
• Non toxic paint

Method

Give your child several colors of finger paint. Allow him to be creative with his fingers. Try using a theme for different papers – shapes, stars, etc.

Once he’s done with each paper, hang it up to dry on a clothesline or wire, and secure with pins.

Fireworks Wrapping Paper

What You’ll Need

• White or colored paper
• Non toxic water colors
• Some drinking straws

Method

Spread out the paper and ask your child to pour small gobs of paint randomly across the paper. Let him then use a straw to blow air over the paint so it spreads in uneven directions. This creates a firework effect.

Tip

Use sharply contrasting surface and paint combos for a truly spectacular effect. Try a pale colored paper with dark paint or a dark colored paper with white or pale pink color.

Use gold glitter paint to outline the fireworks.

Sponge Painting Wrapping Paper

What You’ll Need

• Different colors of poster paints
• Sponges cut in various shapes (circles, triangles, stars etc.)

Bowls for mixing color

Method

Pour colors into separate bowls. Let your 3 year old dip each sponge shape in the color and press it on the paper. As always, dry each paper on a wire.

Tip

Try cutting out different animal or bird shapes. Fish are easy to draw and cut out, and so are numerals, party hats and so on.

Wrapping gifts for their grandparents and other relatives with paper that they painted and created themselves makes children feel proud enough to burst! Make sure you inform the gift recipient about the hard work gone into their wrapping paper, and encourage them to make a fuss over the effort!