Make it with everyday materials! A collection of DIY toy ideas recommended for 1-year-olds
One-year-olds are curious about everything! Homemade toys are perfect for nurturing that curiosity.
You can make them with familiar materials you already have at home, and adapt how they’re used to suit your child’s development.
Using items like plastic bottles, milk cartons, and fabric, you can create everything from toys that promote finger dexterity to cleverly designed, interactive playthings.
Here, we’ll introduce ideas for handmade toys that one-year-olds will be eager to play with.
Enjoy making safe, fun toys that are easy to incorporate into childcare settings, too!
- [Childcare] Easy to make! Handmade toys that delight 0-year-olds
- Recommended for 1-year-olds! Craft play ideas and fun crafting techniques
- Fun DIY Toy Ideas You Can Make with 100-Yen Store Materials
- Ideas for indoor play and physical activities recommended for 1-year-olds
- Let’s play at home with a one-year-old! Activity ideas using things you already have at home
- Toddler-approved fun! DIY toy ideas for 2-year-olds
- [For 1-year-olds] Fun to make! A collection of winter craft activity ideas for use in childcare
- Handmade ideas for wall-mounted toys for 0-year-olds
- Even 1-year-olds will be captivated! A collection of craft ideas to enjoy the art-filled autumn
- Let's make toys with milk cartons! Easy and fun DIY crafts!
- Fun November craft ideas for 1-year-olds!
- Fun for 0-year-olds! DIY Wall-Mounted Toy Ideas
- [Daycare/Preschool] Handmade toys that delight infants
Handmade Toys for Sound Play and Physical Movement (1–10)
Milk carton dice
Let’s make a cute die using a milk carton.
Not only is it safe to play with, but rolling it uses the hands and arms, helping physical development.
First, cut two cartons about 7 cm up from the bottom and fit the two bottoms together to transform them into a rolling die shape! Then cover the outside with construction paper and attach illustrations on each face that will interest children.
Finally, reinforce it from the outside with cellophane tape.
It’s a toy with many ways to play—like rolling it to search for pictures of foods, or practicing a throwing motion that makes it roll.
Rolling around on a walk
Kids love walking and running indoors, don’t they? Especially one-year-olds who’ve just started walking—they just love to walk.
How about a toy that lets them enjoy a little “stroll” even inside? Choose sturdy, thick cardboard tape cores as the base for the toy.
Take two tape cores, place them together, and make a round hole in the center.
Use a clear file and origami paper to add patterns around the hole, then decorate with stickers.
Next, attach illustrations around the core, reinforce everything with clear tape, and add a string.
That’s it! You’ve got a toy that makes going on a walk together fun.
Felt ice cream with a chick
It’s fun because you can stack them! Here’s an idea for chick-themed felt ice cream.
Felt is known for its soft touch and warm texture.
It’s relatively easy to work with—simple to cut and sew—so it’s a great material for beginners in handicrafts and crafting! This time, let’s make chick felt ice cream using felt.
What you’ll need: brown felt cut to 10 cm × 16 cm, three colors of pastel felt cut to 7 cm × 13 cm, embroidery thread, stuffing, and magnets.
Its cute look is sure to catch children’s interest!
ring toss
“Ring toss” is a game that one-year-old children can enjoy together with their teachers.
All you need are newspaper or wrapping paper and colored masking tape.
When choosing tape, pick bright colors so the children can choose their favorites and have fun.
You can also make a cute base using a plastic wrap core, cardboard, or felt.
To let the children play with it for a long time, it’s best to make a sturdy toy.
How they play with the rings and the base is up to the children’s imagination—can’t wait to see what they come up with.
Decorating tambourines is fun
Here are some fun ideas for decorating tambourines.
You’ll need two paper plates, straws, scissors, tape, a pen, and masking tape.
Put the cut pieces of straw between the paper plates, press them together, and seal the edges with tape and masking tape—that’s it! Use pens in your favorite colors to draw expressions on the tambourine.
It’s also fun to give the front and back different expressions, like a smiling face on one side and a sleeping face on the other.
The simple method makes it easy for kids to follow, which is part of its charm!
Handmade maracas
Here’s an introduction to easy, handmade maracas you can make with everyday materials.
Gather a capsule toy case, a toilet paper roll, a plastic bottle, beads or buttons, and vinyl tape, and let’s get started.
Cut off the neck portion of the plastic bottle, roll the toilet paper core to make a sturdy handle, and attach it securely with vinyl tape.
Put the buttons or beads inside the capsule toy case, fasten it firmly with vinyl tape, and close the lid.
Once it’s finished, shake your maracas, sing along, and have fun!
sensory bottle
Let’s make a sensory bottle with a shimmering, wobbling, mysterious movement.
It’s very simple to make.
Use a plastic bottle—something small and slim that fits well in a one-year-old’s hand is recommended.
Fill the bottle with water and liquid glue, then add your favorite parts like beads and food coloring, and you’re done.
By changing the ratio of water to glue, the movement gets faster or slower, so try making a few variations! It’s also fun to make versions with water and oil, or water and ice pack gel.
