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 movement (11–20)

Stroll Pet

Here’s an idea for a “walking pet” that’s sure to make strolling more fun.

The structure is quite simple.

First, connect two cores from rolls of packing tape.

Next, decorate the cores however you like, then cover them with clear tape.

Tie on a string so you can pull it along as you walk, and it’s done.

You can give it the look of an animal to enjoy a walk-like experience, or use characters like Anpanman for a cute touch.

It’ll feel like you’re taking a walk together, and it’s sure to be fun.

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yamamoto

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Train made from plastic bottles

@yuumaama2022
Plastic-bottle vehiclesTranslation Handmade Plastic bottle PET bottle vehicle Childcare work Train How to make
♪ Original song – Yuumaaama – Yuumaaama

Let’s recreate a vehicle that’s very popular with boys using plastic bottles.

Please prepare plastic bottles and vinyl tape.

Cut a plastic bottle in half, then connect the cut openings by fitting them together.

Wrap vinyl tape vertically from the top, overlapping the strips as you go.

The key is to choose tape colors that match your child’s favorite vehicle.

Once you cut and add decorative pieces of vinyl tape, it’s done! It’s simple and easy to make, so try creating it while asking your child about the vehicle they like.

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mayumi

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Mike

For kids who love to sing, a toy microphone is a great recommendation.

If you make it with felt, it won’t break if dropped and the risk of injury is low, so it’s a safe choice.

Create the handle and the microphone head with felt, and stuff the inside with fabric scraps or cotton.

Adding a ribbon or other accents would make it extra cute.

You can buy both felt and cotton at 100-yen shops, so try making it in your favorite colors.

Once it’s finished, sing using your microphone—you’ll enjoy a fresh, exciting feeling!

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sasashina

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garbage bag ball

@rano.mama_asobi
A trash bag… that bounces?! A stunning transformation with just two materials 😍#AtHomePlay Indoor play Play ideas Garbage bag #Ball𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 Today: 2 materials — a jumbo ball. [What you’ll use] ・Trash bags (any size is OK) ・Vinyl tape (from DAISO) ※ Make sure to fill it well with air and tie the trash bag tightly! → If the air leaks, it won’t bounce 😭 ◾︎ Using the same steps, trash bags of various sizes, small plastic bags, and even balloons can become balls!! If you gently remove the vinyl tape from the trash bag, it comes off cleanly, so you can stick it back on. → After playing, if you carefully peel it off… you can use the trash bag and vinyl tape again! Save this so you don’t forget ❤️ 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 If you make a jumbo ball with a trash bag, once you put air in, it’s big and bouncy and fluffy!! 😍 See it with your eyes, touch it with your hands, listen with your ears!! It gives lots of sensory stimulation ❤️ It was also fun to watch the air slowly leak out while we played 🤭💕 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 Thank you for checking out Rano Mama among so many accounts!! 💓 When you’re not sure what to play, please use this as a reference 💛❤️💙
♬ Happy & Pop songs – PeriTune

Let’s make a big ball and have fun! Here’s an idea for a garbage-bag ball.

It’s a DIY ball you can make with materials you have at home.

All you need are a trash bag and vinyl tape or duct tape.

After sealing the bottom of the trash bag with tape, blow air into it and tie the opening.

Wrap vinyl tape around the inflated bag, and you’re done! Its fluffy feel is addictive, and kids are sure to get excited! The soft material means it won’t hurt even if it hits you, which is a nice bonus.

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Panda’s Tambourine

@hoikushi_worker
Handmade instrument ✨ A panda version 🐼 of the Bear Paper Plate Tambourine 🐻! We tried making it❣️ Let’s have fun indoors during the rainy season! Introducing a handmade instrument using familiar materials: the “Bear Tambourine, Panda Version 🐼,” easily made with a paper plate and straws 🎵 It’s super simple to make, so it’s great for younger children’s crafts too 🥰 When you tap it, it makes a soft, shaka-shaka sound ♪ It’s also perfect for rhythm play at birthday parties 🙌 +**+:｡.｡:+**+:｡.｡:+**+:｡.｡:+**+:｡.｡:+**+: Do you have any challenges at your childcare site? Even if it’s not related to this post, tell us your concerns or issues in the comments! Let’s exchange ideas freely ♪ +**+:｡.｡:+**+:｡.｡:+**+:｡.｡:+**+:｡.｡:+**+:Rainy season craft Production in June #HandmadeToys #Childcare Crafting #Nursery School Craft #Wall Creation wall surface #Making Play Origami play Origami origami #Childcare topic #OuchiMonte Early childhood education materials Childcare #First year as a nursery teacher Kindergarten Teacher Kindergarten teacher Aspiring childcare worker #NurseryTeacherInTraining Nursery school teacher Childcare student #IWantToConnectWithChildcareWorkers Nursery Teacher Worker :+**+:｡.｡:+**+:｡.｡:+**+:｡.｡:+**+: ｡.｡:+**+:
Idol – YOASOBI

Cute instruments can lift the mood! Here’s a panda tambourine idea to try.

You’ll need a paper plate, a straw, scissors, masking tape, panda parts cut from construction paper, and glue or double-sided tape.

First, cut the straw with scissors.

Next, fold the paper plate in half, put the cut straw pieces inside, and seal it.

Finally, attach the panda parts made from construction paper—and you’re done! It’s a charming, creative idea that will capture children’s interest.

Give it a try!

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In conclusion

We introduced handmade toys for one-year-olds that can be made from scrap or everyday materials. Using common items like plastic bottles, straws, and clothespins, you can create toys that encourage finger dexterity and exploratory play. By preparing a variety of toys tailored to children’s interests and developmental stages, daily playtime will become even more enjoyable. Through these handmade toys, take your time to watch over and support your children’s growth.