As a child growing up in the late 1970s/early 1980s, I have fond memories of spending rainy afternoons making Shrinky Dinks in the oven with my mom or babysitter. Once I colored them, these little plastic pieces would amazingly shrink up in the oven. Today’s Shrinky Dinks robots are pre-cut, making the process even easier. Colored pencils are included, and you can mix and match heads, bodies, and feet. An adult needs to put them in the oven, and when they’re finished “baking,” your child has his own mini-robots that he helped create. A ring on the top helps to attach the mini-robot to a backpack so it won’t be easily lost. Recommended for ages 5 and up (with adult supervision), Shrinky Dinks Robots sell for $4.99 for a set of 9 pieces (makes 3 robots) at ThinkGeek.com. A great rainy-day activity.

Sometimes you just want a simple and inexpensive gift for your children or you’ve got a child to buy for but a dollar cap to stay under. The Decorate Your Own Art Piggy Bank with Markers gift set is the ideal fun and inexpensive present to give out this holiday season. I think children will enjoy decorating the piggy bank over and over, expressing his/her creativity. Only $4.99 at buybuybaby.com, it’s for ages 8 and up and it comes with everything you need, including 6 markers. If that’s not your thing, there’s a similar decorate your own picture frame for sale on the site as well.

Kids love craft projects, and what could be more fun than making your own sock monkey? Etsy seller Sillysockmonkeys offers a kit that allows you to do just that. Original Rockford red heel socks, stuffing, eyes, nose, and much more, plus all instructions, are included. You and your child can have fun putting together your own sock monkey with just scissors and a sewing machine. Great gift idea as well. Check it out at Sillysockmonkeys.com, where the kit sells for $13.50. Not the creative type? You can buy a pre-made sock monkey at the same shop for $40 if you prefer.

This creative gift will encourage your little hero to become a superhero. The Superhero Starter Kit by Klutz includes a shiny red cape with velcro closure, masks, wrist shields, and stickers. It also comes with a book full of advice for superheros. This kit fosters a child’s imagination, as it doesn’t encourage him to become Superman or Batman, but rather, to create and define his own superhero character.

Featured in Scholastic’s Parent & Child Magazine, the Superhero Starter Kit is recommended for children ages 4 and up. It is available for $14.95 at Klutz.com, and would make a great Christmas gift.

If you’re looking for the ultimate gift for your child this Christmas, here’s an idea: the Make My Own Monster Kit by North American Bear Co. This toy not only is fun but also encourages your child’s creativity to blossom. The kit includes everything your child needs to design his own monster: drawing paper, colored pencils, and a monster information form. Then you mail the design back to the company. After receiving the design, it takes the company about 8-10 weeks to create and ship back to you a plush monster based on your child’s specifications. The monster will even have a personalized label sewn into it and a tag by which your child can hang the monster. Each monster is about 20″ tall.

This would be a special gift for any child, but it isn’t cheap. The Make My Own Monster Kit costs $249.00 at North American Bear Co..

You might have to spend a little time convincing your child that it really is ok to color on the Draw On Me Cushions Elephant by Zid Zid Kids. Your child can use washable or permanent markers, tempera paints, buttons, ribbons, bells, and fabric scraps or whatever else she can think of. It’s a fun way to encourage your child to express her creativity. There is no “right” way to decorate this project. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

This pillow is handmade with 100% soft cotton flannel and 100% polyfilled and is washable. The elephant is adorned with vintage buttons. It measures 8 x 11 inches (21 x 26 cm) and is recommended for ages 3 years and up.

Purchase one for your child for $29.90 at KangarooBoo.