Recommended for 5-year-olds! Simple DIY toy ideas

Flyer

Let's make a spinning top using an advertising flyer

A spinning top made by combining two types of parts from flyers—its key points are that the materials are easy to get and it’s easy to make.

For the shaft, use a flyer rolled tightly into a long, thin tube.

Roll it firmly with thinness and sturdiness in mind, then cut it to a suitable length.

Next, fold another flyer to a width shorter than the cut shaft, wrap it around the shaft in coils to build up volume, and you’re done.

It’s important to add plenty of volume, so keep connecting multiple sheets of flyer, varying the width as you go.

It could also be fun to observe how changes in width affect the way it spins.

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kappamaki

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Demon-slaying play in pachinko

Demon-slaying slingshot game with rubber bands and chopsticks

Pachinko, long popular with children, makes a perfect toy for target practice.

Cross the ends of two chopsticks in a plus shape and tie them with a rubber band.

On the opposite end, lay a short chopstick across horizontally and secure it the same way.

Cut a small rectangle out of sturdy material like thick paper or a milk carton, then punch one hole on each side.

Thread a rubber band through each hole and tie them, then attach the other ends to the split tips of the chopsticks you made earlier.

That’s it! For targets, stick origami paper onto toilet paper rolls, draw faces to make little “oni” (demons), and you’re ready.

Make it by Setsubun and try your hand at “oni-slaying” on the day!

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sasashina

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Perfect for button practice! Onigiri

[Buttoning Practice] Handmade Felt Rice Balls (With Fillings, Bonus Included) [Easy DIY Toy]

Here’s an idea for felt rice balls that help kids practice buttoning! First, cut a rectangle from white felt and fold it.

Keeping the middle of the folded edge intact, cut it into a rice ball shape.

Make fillings like pickled plum or salmon and sew on snap buttons.

Sew matching snap buttons to the center of the rice ball’s inside as well.

Sew a two-hole button to the upper inside part of the rice ball, and make a slit on the opposite side.

Finally, glue a strip of seaweed cut from black felt to the outside, and you’re done! Attach your favorite filling and close the rice ball with the buttons to enjoy making onigiri.

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sasashina

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Paper Cup Windmill

Let’s spin and play! Easy to make with paper cups♪ Paper Cup Pinwheel [Fujiko-sensei]

Let’s make a spinning pinwheel using a paper cup and a straw! It’s lovely to head out to the playground, feel the summer breeze, and play with your handmade pinwheel.

First, poke a hole in the bottom of the paper cup and cut it into six equal sections.

If the teacher draws guide lines beforehand, it will make the process easier for the children.

Next, apply glue to the hole you made in the bottom of the cup and insert a toothpick.

Finally, insert a chopstick into a bendy straw to make a handle, attach it to the paper cup, and you’re done! If you draw patterns on the paper cup with your favorite colored pens or crayons before spinning it, the colors will look beautiful—give it a try!

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miyabi

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straw airplane

[For 4-year-olds] Let’s make a straw airplane!

Let me introduce a straw airplane.

Prepare a straw, a shorter sheet of construction paper, a longer sheet of construction paper, and cellophane tape, and let’s make it.

Roll up each of the short and long pieces of construction paper and tape them into rings.

Attach a strip of tape horizontally to one end of the straw, then stick the smaller paper ring to that end; do the same on the other end with the larger paper ring to complete it.

When flying and playing, make sure no one is around and use a wide, open space.

It could also be fun to race by launching multiple airplanes against each other.

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mayumi

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Handmade microphone

[4-year-olds] Looks just like the real thing?! 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.

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mayumi

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3D puzzle

Let’s combine origami and make it! Here are some ideas for 3D puzzles.

The charm of three-dimensional creations is that they expand children’s imagination and nurture creativity.

By making not only flat shapes but also three-dimensional ones, they can develop spatial thinking and fine motor skills.

This time, let’s create a 3D puzzle using origami.

All you need is origami paper and glue.

By following simple steps to make identical parts and then assembling them by gluing the pieces together, you’ll complete a 3D puzzle!