Toddler-approved fun! DIY toy ideas for 2-year-olds

snap stick

Fun from infancy to toddlerhood! Snap Rods / Handmade Toy by a Nursery Teacher

Babies and toddlers will love it! Introducing the Snap Stick.

You’ll need a template, fabric, snap buttons, stuffing, and cooking chopsticks.

To make it, cut the fabric according to the template and sew the edges together.

Sew one end with a running stitch and secure it, then turn it right side out and stuff it.

Sew the other end with a running stitch and secure it as well.

Sew snap buttons onto both ends, and you’re done! Making several is great for pretend play, so it’s highly recommended.

As a precaution, regularly check that the snap buttons are securely attached.

Give it a try!

Kendama

Let’s play with a handmade kendama for 1- and 2-year-olds

You can make it with items found at school or home! Here’s how to make a kendama.

You’ll need paper cups or plastic cups or a paper carton, string, construction paper or origami paper or a beanbag, and tape.

To make it, poke a hole in the bottom of the paper cup and thread through the string that’s sewn to the beanbag.

Tape over the bottom to secure it, and you’re done! It’s easier to catch in the cup if it has a bit of weight, but if you don’t have a beanbag, you can substitute a ball made by crumpling construction or origami paper.

Try customizing it with materials you have at school or at home.

An educational toy made with pool cues

[Handmade Educational Toy] A Toy that Promotes Finger Dexterity [Seria 100-Yen Store]

Let’s have fun with our fingertips! Here’s an introduction to an educational toy you can make with a pool noodle.

You’ll need a pool noodle, a utility knife, a paper towel holder, ribbon, a wide tapioca (boba) straw, tape, pom-poms, and tongs.

After cutting the pool noodle into large, medium, and small pieces, you can use the paper towel holder to thread the pieces onto the pole and play! You can also use the ribbon and straw for lacing activities, and even play pretend cake shop using pom-poms and tongs.

Give it a try!

Operation: Let the fish swim in the tray

Bath-time refusal hacks! #shorts #atHomePlay #bathPlay #parenting

Even kids who don’t like bath time might hop right in! Here’s the “Let’s Make Fish Swim on a Tray!” strategy.

Just draw fish with a permanent marker on the plastic trays that packaged meat or fish, cut them out, and you’re done! Float them in the bath and say, “There are fish swimming in the tub!” Wet trays stick to the bath wall, so besides fish, you can cut out letters for a little learning activity, or make your child’s favorite characters—lots of fun options! Try different tricks to make bath time enjoyable.

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kepiko

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Handmade maracas

[Handmade Instruments] Make Maracas with Things at Home: A Fun Activity to Do with Your Kids

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!

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mayumi

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Pretend Play with a Smartphone [Ages 2 and Up]

Role-play fun is in full swing! A smartphone made from cardboard

For children, a smartphone or computer is probably one of those things they want to have.

Let’s make a smartphone that looks real and use it for pretend play.

First, cut three pieces of cardboard to smartphone size, glue them together to add thickness, and let them dry.

Once dry, round off the corners and draw the screen frame.

To make it look like it’s in a case, you can glue wrapping paper to the back, and for the front screen, draw your favorite picture or attach a photo to give it an even more realistic finish.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Translucent origami kaleidoscope

I really like kaleidoscopes~ ☺️✨ #shorts

Here’s an idea for making a kaleidoscope using a plastic wrap core and mirror-like sheets.

Cut the wrap core in half, then insert mirror-like sheets folded into a triangular prism.

Make sure the reflective sides face inward.

Cut a clear plastic sheet into a circle and attach translucent origami paper to it.

Make a hole in the center, insert a bamboo skewer through it, and secure it.

Align the bamboo skewer with the corner of the triangular mirror sheet and attach it so it runs along the side of the wrap core—then you’re done! If you smooth the edges of the clear sheet with sandpaper, it will be safer for children to play with.

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sasashina

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