Recommended for 5-year-olds! Simple DIY toy ideas
Five-year-olds become more dexterous and better at using tools, so you’ll start to see them trying to express the images they imagine through their own creations.
We want them to build up lots of experiences while enjoying the fun of making things on their own.
So this time, we’re introducing handmade toy ideas that will further expand the world of making for five-year-olds.
From toys with unique movements, to ones that invite deep, focused play, to those that encourage interaction with friends—we’ve gathered plenty of handmade toy ideas that kids will love.
Incorporate each child’s free ideas and creativity, make adjustments as you go, and try making and playing a lot together with friends and teachers.
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Recommended for 5-year-olds! Simple DIY toy ideas (61–70)
cake
Here’s an idea for felt cakes you can use for pretend play.
Basically, make a pattern for the cake shape you want, then cut the felt to match and sew it together.
You could make several slice-shaped shortcakes that combine into a whole cake for easier play.
Place a piece of cardboard on the bottom of each cake, then stuff it with cotton and sew it closed.
For the cream, cut the felt into a pinwheel shape and sew it so the tips gather tightly—this will make it look realistic.
After that, add your preferred toppings, like cream layers in the cross-section and strawberries!
Seven Puzzle
Why not try making your own “Seven Puzzle,” a popular educational toy? First, prepare seven hexagonal pieces.
If you want to play multiple times, use cardstock to make them sturdy.
Then simply stick one of six different types of stickers along the edges—one sticker per edge—and you’re done! The rules are simple: connect the hexagons so that stickers with the same mark touch each other.
That said, it’s challenging enough to work your brain, so you’ll need to think carefully about how to arrange them.
It’s fun for both kids and adults, so make it with your favorite stickers and enjoy playing together as a family.
chain drop
Let’s make a toy called a “chain dropper” using a milk powder can! It’s very easy to make.
Attach the parts of Anpanman’s face to the lid of the can, then cut out the mouth area with a utility knife.
After that, secure the lid with tape so it won’t come off, and just put the chain inside! Little kids love putting things into small holes like this—and they love pulling them out, too! It’s a simple toy, but it’s a classic favorite among children.
Give it a try!
Marbles and rubber bands
It’s a simple-looking craft that doesn’t seem like a spinning top at first glance: just link rubber bands together and attach a marble to each end.
The key is how you spin it.
Hold one marble, then rotate the other in circles to wind the rubber bands around the marble you’re holding.
Once the rubber bands are wound tightly, you’re ready—let go, and the rubber bands unwind, making the two marbles spin around rapidly.
The sight of it gradually expanding and the colorful marbles zipping around is quite striking.
felt ball
Felt balls, which can be played with in many ways, are also recommended.
First, download a pentagon template from the internet and use it to cut cardboard.
Next, cut felt to match the pentagons you’ve made and embroider the characters on them.
Once you have 12 pieces, assemble them, stuff them with filling, and you’re done.
I hope you’ll play freely—roll it to see which character shows up or toss it in the air.
You can also put a bell inside to enjoy the sound.
playmat
Here’s an idea for a road play mat that you’ll want to make for a child who loves toy cars.
Sew roads made from gray felt onto a base of felt in your favorite color.
Then, add and sew on whatever you like—houses, trees, a police box, a hospital, bus stops, and more.
If you don’t have a sewing machine, you can skip the stitching and use glue to attach everything instead.
With a little creativity, you can make all kinds of play mats, so let your imagination run wild as you create.
Making a construction site where kids can play with work vehicles sounds fun, too!
plastic bottle cap
The spinning top made by connecting plastic bottle caps with string has a unique wind-catching shape and a colorful look that really stands out.
Make a hole in the center of each cap, connect them with string to form a ring, and adjust the angles as you shape it into a circle.
Once it’s neat and round, attach round pieces of thick paper to the top and bottom center, make holes in them, and add the axle to finish.
If it’s too small and hard to spin, try increasing the number of connected caps or making the axle larger for an easier grip.
Also pay attention to which direction it spins more easily, and aim for a more stable rotation.