Popular with toddlers! A collection of homemade toy ideas
This article introduces handmade toy ideas that are popular with preschoolers.
There are plenty of toys you can enjoy both indoors and outdoors, such as cup-and-ball, yo-yos, airplanes, and spinning tops.
All of the ideas can be made using recycled materials or supplies from 100-yen stores, so feel free to make them and play.
Some preschoolers are starting to use scissors and glue, too.
It’s a good idea to let them give it a try while adults help with the tricky parts.
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Popular with toddlers! A collection of handmade toy ideas (41–50)
Geoboard
A “geoboard” helps children develop the ability to think about shapes and space.
By creating various shapes, children improve their skills in recognizing geometric figures and imagining the surrounding space, and by using their fingertips, they also become better at fine motor movements.
It also trains their ability to accurately perceive what they see.
Why not help children build a range of skills through enjoyable learning with a geoboard? Making and thinking about shapes are valuable experiences that support children’s growth.
Try enjoying a handmade geoboard tailored to your child’s developmental stage!
Drop-in game with a straw
“Straw drop” is a type of therapeutic play that supports children’s development.
Through this activity, kids can build fine motor skills and concentration.
By grasping straws and dropping them into holes, they also enhance hand–eye development and observation skills.
Recognizing colors and shapes and developing an interest in numbers stimulate their senses and cognitive abilities, making this a recommended support tool.
It also gives children a sense of achievement.
Since they can learn while having fun, try making your own version and enjoy it together with the kids!
Pool cue stick holder
A fun activity called “stick insertion,” where children use their hands and fingers to insert sticks into holes.
It also helps develop finger strength and supports overall development.
As their concentration and stamina improve, children carefully look for the hole and think, which nurtures spatial understanding and thinking skills.
The sense of accomplishment and confidence gained from doing it themselves, along with enjoying it with friends, also fosters communication skills.
Another plus is that it can be made with familiar materials.
Try customizing the colors and shapes to suit your child’s developmental stage and interests.
blowing toy
When it comes to toys that children blow into, there are many, like soap bubbles and toy trumpets.
While having fun, they can strengthen the muscles around the mouth and learn to control their breathing, which in turn supports language development and improves speaking skills.
Blowing also stimulates the senses and helps cultivate concentration and a cooperative attitude.
Making sounds with toys together with friends fosters social skills through play.
Since kids can develop various abilities while enjoying themselves, consider incorporating handmade blow instruments and similar toys according to your child’s developmental stage!
Hiragana board made from 100-yen shop materials
The “Hiragana Board” is helpful for children learning hiragana.
It’s also recommended for kids who struggle with hiragana.
While practicing reading and writing, they also improve visual perception and hand coordination.
Practicing with fingertips is important for developing fine motor skills.
Another big benefit is boosting concentration.
Quietly writing characters nurtures the ability to focus.
Children can also enjoy it with friends, so it fosters various skills beyond just learning characters.
By all means, try making a DIY “Hiragana Board” that suits your child’s developmental stage and have fun with it!
picture card
Picture cards support children’s communication through words.
They are especially helpful for children who are slightly delayed in development or who have autistic traits.
By using picture cards to present information visually, children can more easily understand situations.
For example, showing instructions for actions or everyday events with pictures helps children think about what they should do.
This can make daily life and social behavior proceed more smoothly.
Try making picture cards by hand and enjoy using them together so children can feel secure in their daily lives.
Spinning Face-Changing Paper Cup Toy
https://www.tiktok.com/@tomo_mama_/video/7288627403402874119Let’s play by spinning paper cups! Here’s a fun paper cup toy where the face changes as you turn it.
You’ll need two paper cups, a craft knife or scissors, and colored pens.
First, draw Anpanman’s full body on one cup.
The key is to cut out the face area! Next, stack the cups and draw various expressions—like a smiley face or a surprised face—on the inner cup.
Finally, spin the stacked cups, and you’re done! It would also be fun to make versions with Anpanman’s friends.