Edible Gifts for Kids

Children love to open up gifts. Sometimes ripping off the paper is even more fun than the gift itself. When receiving an edible gift, kids get double the enjoyment. Edible gifts are usually much less expensive than buying a present, and they mean much more because they are homemade. Plus, what child does not like something sweet to eat? You can also make these gifts with your own children for their friends. Then, you can all enjoy making the present and having a snack at the same time.

Candy Spoons

The possibilities are endless when making candy spoons. You can make dark or milk chocolate with or without sprinkles or tiny pieces of candy. What about forgetting the chocolate and going with butterscotch or white chocolate? For this treat, you need one 6 oz. package of chocolate chips (or the equivalent); colored sprinkles, candy or sugar; bag of heavier plastic spoons. Place chips in a microwave-safe bowl and melt the chips in 1 to 2 minutes. Be careful that the chocolate does not burn. Stir chips and put back in microwave if necessary. Stir again until all chips are melted. Dip a spoon in the chocolate and sprinkle before it hardens. Place on wax paper until cool. Decorate the spoon in colored plastic wrap and tie with a colorful ribbon.

Candy Jewelry

This is such an easy-to-make craft and gift for girls of all ages. All it takes is a foot of yarn for each necklace and cereal or candy with a hole, such as Life Savers, Fruit Loops or Cheerios. String a necklace, an arm bracelet or ankle bracelet for variation. Older children can make multiple layers with more than one piece of string. Use this as a teaching lesson for colors and counting.

Peppermint Bark

Children of all ages love this bark. Finely chop 12 oz. of white chocolate; crush 6 oz. of peppermint (about 30 red-and-white striped peppermint candies); chop 12 oz. of bittersweet chocolate; make 1/2 cup of whipping cream; and pour 1 tsp. extract of peppermint.
Line the cookie sheet with parchment paper. Combine the bittersweet chocolate, cream, and extract and set over a saucepan of just simmering water until the chocolate is warm and smooth. Pour the chocolate onto the cookie sheet and spread evenly with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle half of the crushed peppermints over the chocolate. Put in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes until cool. Remove. Now melt the white chocolate in a bowl over the saucepan until melted. Pour all of it over the bittersweet chocolate and peppermint mixture. Top it with the remaining peppermint. Put back in refrigerator. Once cool, put in box lined with colored wax paper.

Caramel Turtles

These cute little critters are yummy to eat. Use 15 mini pretzels, 15 chocolate-covered caramel candies and 20 pecan halves. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F and arrange the pretzels on a parchment-lined cookie sheet in a single layer. Put one piece of caramel on each pretzel and bake for about 4 minutes. When the candy is warm to the touch, press a pecan half into each pretzel and cool. Then find a colorful box and line with colored wax paper and add candy.

Train Treats

Choo, Choo, Chew, Chew goes the train! You need a roll of candy, such as Life Savers, four wrapped peppermint candies, a wrapped caramel and a wrapped chocolate kiss. Glue a wheel onto each side of the Life Savers for the wheels. Glue the caramel on top of the Life Savers for the smoke stack and the kiss on top of that for the smoke. Place in decorated box.