To know me is to know I can’t resist a good theme! I fell head over heels with all the pirate-themed birthday gifts Sam received at his first birthday party, so when we were invited to a monster-themed birthday, I just had to give a theme-y gift.

But what to give?

With so many birthday parties after the start of the school year, it’s hard to think of something unique and fun to give to all of your children’s friends, isn’t it? I love to give books because kids never grow out of them. But it’s so hard for me to pass up novelty items and all the cool toys out there.

Here’s a way to combine the best of all words if you’re going to a monster-themed birthday party or if you happen to know a birthday goblin born near Halloween!

Start with a Homemade Make-Your-Own Monster Kit:

Some ideas for items to fill your kit with:

1. Peel n’ Stick felt
2. Blank face masks
3. Pipe cleaners
4. Washable markers
5. Pom poms
6. Feathers

Add a monster-themed book, like The Gruffalo (our personal favorite!):

Then throw in some cute novelty items like a Monster Dessert Bowl & Spoon or a Monster Ice Pop Mold:

It was so fun to see how one of our friends used his Make-Your-Own Monster Kit!

Do you have any favorite themed gift ideas for toddlers?

Parents and friends: for more ideas, activities, and inspiration for #RaisingThinkingKids, click on an icon below to join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ and Twitter.

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Chrissy – who has written 426 posts on The Outlaw Mom® Blog - Creative Living in a Conventional World.

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