Lovely childcare

Let’s make it with 3-year-olds! Fun handmade toy ideas

9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

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.

Make It with 3-Year-Olds! Fun DIY Toy Ideas (51–60)

origami

[3 sheets of origami] Let's make an origami spinning top!

origami

We’re introducing how to fold a stylish spinning top that you can make with just three sheets of origami paper! It’s perfect for making and playing together with your child or friends.

You’ll create each part with the three sheets of paper and assemble them at the end.

There aren’t many difficult steps, and you won’t need glue or scissors, so kids can easily give it a try.

You can also freely customize it by changing the colors or adding patterned paper, letting you express your originality! It would make a delightful handmade gift from a child, too!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Making a drum with a balloon

Make an easy drum using balloons♪

Making a drum with a balloon

Let’s try making a drum using a balloon! Cut off the mouth of a balloon and stretch it over a roll of packing tape.

Secure it firmly with electrical tape, and decorate the outside however you like to finish the drum.

For the drumsticks, attach a small, tightly balled piece of tissue to the end of a chopstick and fix it with electrical tape.

Then cover it with two plastic bottle caps and secure those with electrical tape as well to complete the sticks.

Since there aren’t many steps that require scissors, lots of kids can easily enjoy both crafting and making music!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

cloth picture book

[Cloth Book] A complete, in-depth guide to making one and all interactive pages‼️ #clothbook #interactivepicturebook #pop-upbook

cloth picture book

Why not try making a fabric picture book inspired by Anpanman? Fabric books are a staple toy for babies.

They often crinkle, include features that promote finger development, and pack in all kinds of clever ideas.

Let’s try making one by hand.

With your own ideas—like a buttoning activity using Anpanman’s face, peekaboo flaps or matching games with various characters—you can create a delightful fabric book.

If you’re not confident at sewing, using felt and glue to craft it like an art project is a great recommendation!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Infinite spin

Let’s make an “Infinite Spinner,” a toy you can keep turning round and round like an origami kaleidoscope! Prepare six paper strips from construction paper.

Using two colors with three strips each makes it look extra cute.

Overlap the ends at a 90-degree angle and glue them, then fold the papers alternately.

When the strips get short, connect the remaining strips and repeat the steps.

Once everything is connected, trim any excess with scissors.

Glue the end faces together, and you’re done! The process is very simple, so why not make one as a toy for your child?

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Educational puzzle with plastic bottle caps

DIY educational toy from a 100-yen shop [for ages 2–3] #2years4months #daiso

Educational puzzle with plastic bottle caps

Let’s make a handmade educational toy using items from a 100-yen shop.

First, buy a plastic case with dividers that’s just the right size for plastic bottle caps to fit into.

In addition to plastic bottle caps, you can use caps from energy drinks or canned drinks, but be sure to cover any sharp edges with vinyl tape or similar to prevent cuts.

Prepare stickers with various pictures or photos and stick them on the bottom of each compartment.

Then, stick matching stickers on the bottle caps so they form pairs.

The game is to put each cap with the matching sticker into the compartment that has the same sticker.

Raise the rankinglower

Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

Report a problem