Recommended for 5-year-olds! Simple DIY 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.

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.

Recommended for 5-year-olds! Simple DIY toy ideas (41–50)

Toy stethoscope for playing doctor

When you want to play doctor, make a toy stethoscope and get into character! For this one, you’ll use a headband you can find at a 100-yen shop.

Cover the headband with a tube of sewn felt, so if it has any decorations, remove them first.

For the tubing, use a string or cord, and for the chest piece, cover a suitably sized cap or lid with felt.

Once you’ve connected everything, your stethoscope is ready! It might be even more fun if you also make items like a medicine bag or bandages.

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Recommended for 5-year-olds! Easy DIY toy ideas (51–60)

Perler beads

Perler beads are arranged to create your favorite shapes and then fused with heat from an iron.

Let’s make a handmade spinning top using Perler beads—a craft that’s fun not only for kids but also for adults! The charm of this idea is that you can arrange the beads into any shape you like, such as circles, squares, or flowers.

If you get creative with color placement, you can enjoy the changing patterns as the top spins! Note that fusing Perler beads requires applying high heat with an iron, so if you’re crafting with children, make sure an adult handles this step.

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Anpanman

Here’s a handmade spinning-top idea that’s perfect for kids who love Anpanman.

The charm is that you can make it with materials you likely already have at home, like paper plates and plastic bottle caps! It’s designed so even small children can spin it easily, so why not try making it together with your child? First, create Anpanman’s face slightly smaller than the paper plate.

Next, wrap a plastic bottle cap with vinyl tape to make the nose and fix it at the center of Anpanman’s face.

Also attach another cap to the center on the back of the paper plate.

To finish, stick pieces of sparkly origami paper cut into squares around the edge of the plate, and you’re done! Try other characters too, like Baikinman, not just Anpanman.

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Sandwich shop

How about making a sandwich toy inspired by Anpanman characters? Try creating baguettes shaped like Anpanman or Shokupanman’s faces, as well as fillings like ham, cheese, and vegetables.

The basic material is felt.

Since the baguette needs thickness, you’ll have to stuff it with cotton and sew it, but I think the other parts can be assembled by gluing them together.

Be sure to make it with your child’s favorite characters and enjoy some pretend play!

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jelly cup

We’d like to introduce a simple, well-spinning handmade top using jelly cups! If your kids love jelly and you end up with lots of empty cups you want to repurpose, this is an idea worth trying.

First, the trick is to choose jelly cups with a rounded bottom.

By combining this idea with plastic bottle caps, you can make four different kinds of tops.

They’re all very easy to make, so have fun making them together with your children.

For the finishing touch, decorating with washi tape or stickers can give your tops a unique, personal look.

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Fruit Concentration

These are felt cards you can use to play Concentration (Memory)! You can choose any motifs you like—fruits, vehicles, animals, anything is fine.

However, since Concentration is a game where you match pairs of identical cards, be sure to make two cards of each design.

Cut felt into card shapes and either glue or sew the motifs onto them.

If you’re making everything out of felt, it’s efficient to layer the same fabric and cut two identical pieces at once to save time.

If you want to keep things simple, you could also use store-bought appliqués and just stick them on.

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Soap bubbles made with a plastic bottle

@n.annlee321
I'll write the usable bottles and additional notes in the comments ☺️✨#tiktok video contest #tiktok classroom Life with children
Classic Medley 2019 – Pianica Magician

You can play without blowing! Enjoy soap bubbles using a plastic bottle.

The key is to prepare a soft plastic bottle that dents with a squeeze.

Cut a hole in the cap with scissors and insert the mouthpiece of a bubble wand into the hole—voilà, it’s ready in no time.

Dip the tip into bubble solution and squeeze the bottle to pump out bubbles.

This is a perfect idea for young children who might have trouble blowing bubbles or for kids who want to practice hand and finger movements.

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