Lovely childcare

Make it with everyday materials! A collection of DIY toy ideas recommended for 1-year-olds

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: spinning-top tricks.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

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!

Handmade Toys for Sound Play and Physical Movement (1–10)

twirling spin stick

Addictive fun! A handmade toy from age 1: the Twirling Spin Stick

twirling spin stick

Let’s incorporate a fun spinning wand that twirls around into childcare activities.

First, wrap wire around a disposable chopstick in a spiral.

It’s best to wind it tightly so it doesn’t loosen.

Cover the tip of the chopstick with vinyl tape to prevent it from being sharp.

Next, stand the chopstick by inserting it into a sponge block and secure it with glue.

Once you’ve fixed several chopsticks in place, the base is complete! After that, freely thread snow blocks onto the chopsticks and enjoy watching them spin around.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Tambourine you can make with things at home

[Handmade Instrument] Make a Tambourine with Things at Home ♪ A Fun Activity to Do with Kids

Tambourine you can make with things at home

Here’s an idea for making a tambourine using items you have at home.

You’ll need a round container from a six-piece cheese pack, jingle bells, string, animal-themed templates, colored construction paper, origami paper, scissors, and glue or double-sided tape.

Even if children don’t recognize it as a musical instrument, this works as a special sound-making toy that infants can enjoy.

The cute animal motifs will spark children’s interest and curiosity.

Let’s make sounds freely and have fun playing along with music and rhythm!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Handmade toys for sound play and movement (11–20)

sensory mat

Work No. 011 Sensory Mat [Handmade Toy by a Nursery Teacher]

sensory mat

Here’s how to make a sensory mat you can enjoy at home.

Prepare interlocking foam mats, materials that are fun to step on or touch—like CDs and plastic bottle caps—and some adhesive.

Start by gluing the materials onto the interlocking mats.

The key point is how you apply the glue: we recommend sticking just one type of material on each single mat.

Once you’re done, connect the mats together and enjoy them as a big die, or lay them out on the floor—get creative and have fun with sensory play.

Be sure to let the adhesive dry completely before use.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

sensory toy play

[Indoor Play] Sensory Toys from the Tummy Time Stage #TexturePlay #0YearOlds

sensory toy play

Fun for all ages! Here are some sensory toy play ideas.

You’ll need: food storage bags, colored water, oil, adzuki beans, erasers, toy goldfish, beads, bells, hair gel, and tape.

Put the materials you prepared into the bag along with the hair gel! Changing up the colors and textures makes the feel different and more interesting.

Sensory toys are recommended not only for infants but also for preschoolers—they’re engaging to look at and touch, and kids will be totally absorbed.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Rolling Slope

Work No. 032 Rolling Slope [Handmade Toy by a Nursery Teacher]

Rolling Slope

Here’s how to make a simple rolling slope.

Prepare printed illustrations, a cardboard template, a milk carton, capsule toys, beads or nuts, tape, and glue.

Apply glue to the template and assemble the base of the rolling slope.

Cut the milk carton vertically in half, fit it firmly into the slope so it won’t fall out—this is the key point.

Attach the illustrations to the slope section, and make the rolling balls using capsule toys to finish! Put beads or nuts inside the capsules so you can enjoy the different sounds and speeds as they roll.

If you use recycled materials that may contain allergens, be sure to handle them safely.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

straw tambourine

[Handmade Toy] An Instrument Even Infants Will Love! How to Make a Tambourine with Paper Plates

straw tambourine

You can make one even without bells or cymbals! Here’s an idea for a tambourine made with straws.

What you’ll need: two paper plates, straws, scissors, tape, washi tape, pens, and illustrations.

How about making a tambourine with paper plates and straws and giving it a try? Since you can draw your favorite designs on the paper plates, it’s great to use pens to freely draw and customize it.

Cutting out and pasting illustrations is wonderful too! Give it a try!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Handmade tambourine using 100-yen shop materials

[For 1-year-olds] Handmade musical instrument play

Handmade tambourine using 100-yen shop materials

Make it with a one-year-old! Here are ideas for handmade tambourines using materials you can get at a 100-yen shop.

What you’ll need: paper plates, washi tape, air-dry clay, disposable chopsticks, bells, and stickers.

Let’s create handmade instruments together with one-year-old children! The finished instruments can be tambourines or drums, and the charm is that each child can play freely.

It’s adorable to see children freely perform to music with their own original instruments, decorated by cheerfully sticking on stickers.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem