Let’s make it with 3-year-olds! Fun handmade toy ideas
Let’s make and play with handmade toys together with your three-year-old!
Making your own toys lets children experience the joy of creating original pieces and gives them a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment—there are so many benefits.
So this time, we’ve gathered ideas for DIY toys recommended for three-year-olds.
Everything uses familiar materials and involves simple tasks with few steps, making them easy for three-year-olds to try.
Have fun drawing freely, adding decorations, and creating a one-of-a-kind special toy together.
Let’s Make It with 3-Year-Olds! Fun DIY Toy Ideas (1–10)
Straw rocket
This is a straw rocket that you launch by blowing air into it.
Make a slit in a straw, overlap the cut section, and secure it with cellophane tape to form a tapered shape.
Cut another straw to a suitable length and tape it to the back of a rocket cut out of construction paper.
Then glue another rocket cutout on top to cover the taped area.
Fit the straw with the paper rocket onto the tapered straw, and you’re ready to go! Enjoy in a spacious area so you don’t accidentally hit your friends.
castanet
These castanets produce a delightfully light sound that you wouldn’t believe comes from a milk carton and plastic bottle caps.
You’ll need a milk carton, scissors, double-sided tape, and colored tape.
First, prepare one panel of the milk carton.
Cut off the spout, then cut the panel in half horizontally.
Attach a cap to the center of each piece using double-sided tape.
Finally, fasten the ends of the milk carton pieces together with colored tape, and you’re done.
When you pull the ends against each other, they make a fun clicking sound—enjoy playing your simple, homemade castanets with everyone!
Paper Cup Rocket
Make a fun rocket that zooms into the air and play with friends and family at home.
Even on rainy days or when you can’t play outside, you can enjoy this paper cup rocket.
The colorful, exciting designs are easy to make.
Cut evenly spaced slits into a paper cup, attach rubber bands, and the base is ready.
Then take another cup and decorate it with brightly colored construction paper, etc.
Once you’ve finished your favorite design, place it over the base, let go, and your rocket will launch upward with a whoosh.
Kendama
Here’s a craft idea for making a cup-and-ball toy (kendama) using paper cups.
Encourage children to explore their curiosity and imagination with this hands-on project! First, decorate two prepared paper cups with stickers, markers, and tape.
Next, attach a string to a crumpled paper ball, stick the string to the bottom of one paper cup, and then glue the two cups together—now it’s complete.
Hold it in one hand like a kendama and swing your arm so the ball lands inside the cup.
It’s a project that’s fun to make and fun to play with.
Why not try making an original kendama in your early childhood/childcare setting?
cardboard puzzle
This is a puzzle you can easily make with cardboard.
You’ll need cardboard, a utility knife, a cutting mat, scissors, glue, cellophane tape, and colored pens.
First, draw your favorite illustration on paper.
Cut out cardboard pieces for the frame and the backing to match your illustration.
Glue the illustration onto the backing, and after the glue dries, cut it into your preferred shapes with the utility knife.
A key tip is to reinforce the edges of the puzzle pieces and the frame with cellophane tape.
Then glue the backing and frame together, and feel free to decorate as you like.
Artwork from your childhood can become a treasured memory.
paper plate spinning top
Would you like to try playing with a paper-plate spinning top? You can make one with a simple process: draw patterns on a paper plate with crayons and attach a plastic bottle cap to the center.
I hope you’ll enjoy coming up with your own original designs as you work on it.
Another nice feature is that once you’re done making it, you can actually play with it.
Spin them together and have a lively time! By the way, if you use multiple colors for your patterns, it will look beautiful when it spins.
Give it a try!
Snap Frog
Here’s a “snap-jumping frog” made from a milk carton—perfect for 3-year-olds who love moving toys.
You’ll need a milk carton, a ruler, scissors, a pen, and some rubber bands.
First, draw a line 6 cm up from the bottom of the carton and cut out a rectangle spanning two faces.
Make four small triangular notches near the edges.
On the white inside, draw and color a frog.
Finally, twist rubber bands and hook them into the notches, then place the piece upside down.
Snap! Your jumping frog is ready.
It jumps surprisingly far, so kids will be thrilled.