DIY Kits as Gifts: Why They Make the Perfect Present for All Ages

Many become stuck when thinking of the perfect gift for their loved ones. They ask themselves: “Would they love this?” 

You may fall into this category of people, always dilly-dallying on different options before settling for a generic gift option that is touch and go on whether they like it or not. 

If you’re looking for a thoughtful, unique, and sure-to-be-loved present, consider a DIY kit. These kits offer a fun and creative way for people of all ages to express themselves and learn new skills.

DIY kits offer a personalised and engaging experience that appeals to just about anyone—a curious toddler, a creative teen, or an adult looking for a fun activity.

In this article, we examine the benefits of DIY kits as gifts, the types of DIY kits, and how to pick the best ones for your loved ones.

Benefits of giving DIY kits as gifts

Some of the amazing benefits of giving DIY kits as gifts include:

1.Works for a broad range of people and taste

DIY kits make fantastic gifts because they work for many people. They’re a safe choice that’ll likely be appreciated by just about anyone. 

Crafting and building things from scratch appeals to so many different tastes. The great thing about these kits is that they come in endless varieties, so you can always find one that suits the interests, needs, tastes, and occasions of the recipient(s).

For example, gifting a DIY kit to a dad who might not know what to do with his children when he is alone with them can be a fantastic choice. Through the common activity, he can build a smoother connection with his children. 

2. Brings people together

Another fantastic benefit of DIY kits is how they encourage bonding between couples, best friends, or family members. These kits create the perfect opportunity for family and friends to spend quality time together. They can share ideas, agree and work towards a common goal, and generally have fun together.

As the participants problem-solve, work with others, and use their creative skills, they create something tangible, build memories, and strengthen their relationships. What makes this even more remarkable is that the recipient will likely appreciate the gift more as time passes.

3. Helps people develop a diverse set of skills

Another standout benefit of DIY kits is their ability to help the gift recipient develop and hone a diverse set of skills, especially kids, as they manipulate and put things together using various methods. 

These kits offer a hands-on way to discover and learn essential life skills in a relaxed and fun environment. The academic world is replete with multiple studies that have established the numerous benefits of doing arts and crafts. For example, this research notes that “leisure crafting” helps entrepreneurs focus better and thrive at work.  

Another study emphasised that children's participation in arts and crafts helps them develop skills like “resilience, emotional regulation, creativity, and problem-solving.” 

Children and teens also learn social skills while working on their DIY kits in groups or with their best friends. They learn to communicate, collaborate, and work with others. 

In essence, DIY kits aren’t just fun; they provide meaningful ways to develop various skills, making them a gift that offers lasting value.

4. Provides endless fun and is ideal for repeated use

Another advantage of choosing DIY kits as gifts for a loved one is that most are ideal for repeated use. For example, the recipient can repeatedly use the Candle Cake Kit by Méli&Mélo to create different cake designs. 

The candle base, reusable soy wax, and bag of interchangeable toppings allow the recipients to mix and match to create something new each time they use it. This keeps things fresh and exciting, even after multiple uses.

5. Crafting boosts mental health

A study found that engaging in arts and crafts is equally beneficial to mental well-being as working. The researchers concluded that creativity is linked to well-being and happiness. 

Additionally, completing a DIY task can give the recipient a sense of accomplishment, which can be a big boon to the recipient’s mood and self-esteem. 

Types of DIY kits to consider

DIY kits come in different shapes, kinds, and types. We’ve reviewed some below.

1. Slime cooking kit

A slime cooking kit is a fun and creative activity that lets kids make pretend food out of slime. Think of slime as mouldable clay used to make “pretend” food like sushi, French toast, French strawberry tart, burgers, pizza, and more. 

The kit often comes with different accessories, materials, and tools like glue, activators, colour dyes, and step-by-step instructions. Some kits also come with additional decorations like sprinkles or glitter, depending on the food being mimicked, to make the final product look more realistic.

The idea behind a candle kit is for the recipient to melt the wax to create something, such as food, a popular cartoon or animation character, or an animal. 

They’re designed to make the process easy and enjoyable. Méli&Mélo’s best-seller, the Candle Cake Kit, is a prime example. This kit is fun as the recipient uses wax to make layers on a “cake” base before adding their desired toppings as decoration.