With the end of term fast approaching, shout out to all the teachers and teaching assistants. Here are 20 fun ideas for handmade teacher gifts you can whip up in an evening or two to say thank you to your children's teachers. If you like these school-themed makes, you might also like our sister post: Easy DIY School Supplies – filled with back-to-school crafts to make tonight. If you're going to gift any of these makes make sure you check out our how to do furoshiki wrapping and our suminagashi gift wrap tutorial to wrap them up prettily!
Homemade teacher gifts to DIY
Quick cross stitch teacher gifts
Stitch a selection of mini motifs in just an hour or two then add them to magnets, notebooks, storage jars or thank you teacher cards with our free teacher cross stitch patterns
Paint your own pebble magnets
Get the kids involved in painting and making this sweet handmade gift idea from Caroline South and Mollie Makes magazine.
Gather together paper hearts
Oh, this is a cute one! Handmade teacher gifts are fun to make solo, but even more fun to make as a class! If you have a class What's App group, do a call out to see if you can gather together fellow class parents to each ask their child to decorate a paper heart. Thanks to Heart and Hue for the inspiration – head to their blog post for full details.
DIY magnetic clothes pins
Another great Handmade Teacher Gift idea for getting kids involved in the making, decorate clothes pegs and add magnets for one-of-a-kind fridge decorations. Find out how it's done over at Sandy Toes and Popsicles.
Unravel a DIY apple spool card
This lovely little DIY from All Free Papercrafts shows you how to make your own sweetest of apple spool cards from a small wooden spool and some basic craft supplies. We like how your child's teacher will unwrap the spool to reveal the message inside. You can find a range of wooden spools to decorate over on ebay inexpensively.
Thank you teacher pencil vase
Stand by your glue guns! This could be the most fun idea in this post (don't make us choose though). Grab a pack of pencils, a small glass vase and get the full DIY details for this DIY vase project over at cincyshopper.com. It will only take an hour or two to make and will make a fun, themed addition to your teacher's classroom or talking point in their home.
How to make a crayon monogram
Continuing with the stationary theme (because it's so cool)... check out this nifty tutorial for how to make crayon monogram pictures, over at Confidence Meets Parenting.
Cross stitch a sweet thank you card
Reach for your embroidery threads and stitch a sweet birdie to show your thanks! This pattern was designed by Susan Bates for The World of Cross Stitching and it's free to download.
Little birdie thank you cross stitch pattern
Say thank you with a DIY movie night
We like this DIY idea from Kutz. Paper. Scissors as it's a bit different and it's perfect for any teachers out there who you know are film fans – even more so this year when cinemas are still only just starting to reopen – pop in a cinema voucher for them to use over the summer or a DVD or Netflix voucher if you think they'd prefer to enjoy a film night in without having to worry about social distancing!
Embroider floral brooches
This mini make, designed by Mollie Johanson for Simply Sewing magazine, is a quick DIY gift you can make up easily at home with just a few supplies. Find out how it's done with our free embroidered brooches DIY
Whip up easy duct tape flowers
If you're on the look out for last-minute gift ideas that don't need any specialist supplies, rummage in your drawers or garage for duct tapes (or use washi tapes from your craft stash) to try this clever DIY flowers idea.
Fold an easy origami apple
Head on over to The Spruce Crafts to find their easy DIY for how to make your very own paper apples. Why not add a little message to the leaf to turn it into a homemade gift? Children will love learning how it's done and all you need are a couple of sheets of paper to give it a go.
How to make easy origami apples
Kids cup coasters DIY
Children will love helping to make these easy coasters – suitable for all ages and easy to put your personal stamp on.
Find out how to make them over on the Baker Ross blog.
Handmade teacher gifts to buy
If you're running out of time or don't have the supplies or energy to make from scratch, how about these fun homemade gifts from independent sellers to order for that handmade touch but without having to find the making time?
DIY (or buy!) a button apple frame
We can never resist a fruit motif, and this idea for a large framed apple made of buttons by Sweet Dimple hits the spot! It's a simple yet stylish and effective gift – by the finished frame over on Not on the High Street or get the kids involved and have a go at making your own.
Gift a rainbow sweet box
This mouthwatering homemade teacher gift idea is the brainchild of Treats By Persnickety over on Etsy... and is perfect for those teachers with a sweet tooth! Order a personalised box and pick your sweets of choice – from fizzy to chocolate).
Personalised rainbow plant pots
We love this idea for a unique gift from So Close over on Not on the High Street. You can choose your own text when you order and even add in a packet of seeds before you check out too.
Scented candle tins
After a year of teaching, we think teachers deserve to curl up and unwind over the summer holidays. These scented candle tins from Wild and Floral Candles on Etsy come in a range of colourways and scents are are made from non-toxic, eco-friendly and vegan-friendly, as they're made from Coconut and Rapeseed oil.
Embroider a personalised mug holder
Love this quick and easy handmade teacher gift idea from Finding Pins and Needles. Find out how it’s done over at www.findingpinsandneedles.com. Or if you'd like a hand drafting your embroidery pattern head over to their Etsy shop.
