Age 4: Simple and Fun! Handmade Toy Ideas
By the age of four, children’s imaginations blossom, and they become able to express their thoughts and feelings smoothly in words.
They also get better at using tools like scissors and glue, which further expands the range of crafts they can make.
So this time, we’re introducing handmade toy ideas that will captivate four-year-olds.
From moving toys to flying toys to sound-making toys, there are plenty of fun ideas that will capture a four-year-old’s heart!
Encourage children to use their free imagination and expressive power to make a favorite piece.
We hope they have lots of fun playing while enjoying communication with their friends!
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[Age 4] Easy and Fun! Handmade Toy Ideas (31–40)
Twisting Soap Bubbles
Make and play! Here’s an idea for unbreakable, twirling soap bubbles.
You’ll need holographic origami paper, round stickers, a straw, scissors, reinforcement ring stickers, a bamboo skewer, and tape.
First, cut the holographic origami paper into 5 mm strips and attach eight strips to a round sticker.
Cut four slits in the straw and apply a reinforcement ring sticker.
After adhering the straw and holographic paper together, thread them onto the bamboo skewer.
Tape the top in place, and you’re done!
Simple chopstick gun
This is a very simple chopstick rubber-band gun you can make with just two pairs of disposable chopsticks.
Clamp the tip of one chopstick set with the tip of the other and secure them with a rubber band.
At this point, use both chopsticks un-split, just as they are.
That’s actually all there is to the assembly! Then hook a rubber band onto the tip to set it, and slowly tilt the clamped chopstick diagonally like a trigger—the rubber band will launch.
Since you don’t need scissors, a cutter, glue, or anything else, it’s perfect for a craft project with small children.
Give it a try!
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.
cardboard camera
Let me introduce a cardboard camera that’s perfect for a walk.
Prepare cardboard, cellophane, a paper cup, and double-sided tape.
Cut two pieces of cardboard to the size of the camera you want to make.
Take a paper cup that’s cut in half horizontally with slits cut vertically, place it against the cardboard, then cut out a lens shape and fit it in.
Stick colored cellophane over the top, glue the cardboard pieces together, and you’re done! Try adding a yarn strap for walks or changing the cellophane colors and decorating it as you like!
Magnetic matching game
Let’s promote fine motor development by sticking magnets on and pulling them off! Here are some ideas for magnet matching games.
These are handmade toys that even infants can enjoy, so take this opportunity to give them a try.
You’ll need a whiteboard, clear tape, magnetic sheets, colored pens, construction paper, and scissors.
For the designs, you can draw motifs that interest the children, or adapt them to focus on colors or numbers.
A nice bonus is that you can get the materials at a 100-yen shop!
[Age 4] Simple and Fun! Handmade Toy Ideas (41–50)
Space Travel Game
Let me introduce a handmade space travel game.
Prepare 10 round magnets, round stickers, straws, and construction paper, and let’s make it together.
For the spaceship, attach a straw to a magnet, stick on a round sticker, and draw a rocket illustration.
Next, create a flight course for the spaceship on a base sheet of construction paper.
Cut black construction paper into circles and glue magnets at the center to make black holes.
Stick several of these black holes along the course, and you’re done.
Pilot the spaceship and try to reach the goal without getting swallowed by the black holes.
Handmade microphone
Let me introduce a cute original microphone craft.
Prepare a plastic wrap tube, a capsule toy container, origami paper, and yarn, and let’s make it.
Wrap the origami paper around the plastic wrap tube so that a bit of the paper sticks out on either the left or right side.
On the side where the paper sticks out, tape on the yarn, crumple the extra paper to make it small, and tuck it into the center of the wrap tube—this completes the microphone handle.
Next, place the capsule toy container on top of the wrap tube and tape it so it won’t fall off, and your microphone is complete! Draw a switch on the handle, and add illustrations or stickers as you like to create your very own original microphone.