coopah

Dollar Tree has lots of fun things. Plus drwing paper, crayons, pencils...just look and you can get a lot of value there.

bakermom

new coloring books and crayons are always a hit. THrow in some stickers and you're good to go

quilt1950

If they are going to be the only children at your event, I would definitely get them something they can play with. My 4/5/6 year old grandchildren love stickers. I would get then a few of those $1.00 sticker books, a pack of paper, and maybe some washable markers. This would keep them busy for a long time.

miriam

One of my boy's wouldn't play with stickers, paper or crayons - if it came apart he was ok though.

DOTTYMO

How about buying a plain artist book and cover and make. A matching pencil case and fill with colouring equipment rulers etc from pound shop

pojoanderson

Pillow beds are quick and easy to make (sew 4 or 5 pillow cases together (with the flaps facing the same way ) fill with some cheap pillows and hey presto you have a pillow bed can also be folded into a soft chair),take and play road mat and car carrier (think I found a tutorial on pintrest) ,crayon and paper holder bag ,sleeping bag for dolls or teddy ect

Mousie

this might not be an item you want to make them for this:

Take a cardboard tube such as the ones Christmas wrapping paper comes on.
Glue the end of a piece of felt to it.
With three of the wide rubber bands, you now have a puzzle mat.
You put the puzzle together on the felt and when you are ready to put it away,
assembled or not, as long as the pieces are flat, you just roll it up around
the tube and put the rubber bands on the ends and middle.
I did this years ago for my girls and am going to do it for my grandmouslings
this year. It's a winner with moms

Pinkiris

How about a fabric cover for a composition notebook? You know, the ones with the black and white pebbled covers? If your stash doesn't include fabric that is appropriate, you can buy cute bandanas as WalMart for about a dollar and use that. My grandkids loved them!

I suggest that next year, you have a few spare items already made so you don't get "surprised" again! You can always donate them!

Merry Christmas to you and yours

thimblebug6000

Thanks for all the suggestions.... I have one of the place mats completed & the other 3 ready for the hand stitching on the binding. [ATTACH=CONFIG]503309[/ATTACH] the front with chalk board fabric insert and the back of this one. [ATTACH=CONFIG]503310[/ATTACH] ( I already shared it on the Virtual quilting weekend, hope that's ok? )

thimblebug6000

Just for fun I'm posting the 4 placemats together with a little snowman that is wrapping a large chocolate bar... no nuts! [ATTACH=CONFIG]503511[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]503512[/ATTACH]