Handmade games: DIY craft ideas you can make and play
We’ve put together a collection of DIY game ideas you can make and play.
Crafts are great not only for indoor play, but also for activities in childcare settings and as summer break projects for elementary school students.
And if what you’re making is a game, kids can enjoy playing with it even after the crafting is done—which they’re sure to love.
In this article, we introduce a variety of games you can make by hand.
If you’re looking for handmade game ideas, feel free to use this as a reference.
Since they’re handmade, it’s also fun to set your own rules and difficulty levels!
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Handmade Games: DIY craft ideas you can make and play (101–110)
Dollar store Minecraft block
Grass-covered dirt blocks are a common sight in the world of Minecraft! There are also plenty of others, like cobblestone and wood.
How about making different types of blocks and giving them as a gift? Drill a hole in a square wooden block and embed a small magnet.
Paint and decorate the outside, and you’re done! Since the magnet is embedded, you can stack or attach the blocks together.
It takes some effort to make, but it’s a great way to enjoy the world of Minecraft outside the game, so I highly recommend it!
ice cream
Here’s an idea for a toy that lets you play ice cream shop! You can make it using felt, magnets, cardboard, and stuffing.
Basically, you stuff cotton into felt cut into circles or half-circles to create the ice cream scoops and cones.
A sticker-type magnet attached to cardboard is placed in the flat part of the cone and the bottom of the ice cream, so when you put the ice cream on the cone, it sticks and won’t fall off easily.
Make different kinds of ice cream by changing the felt colors and toppings!
a spinning target
Also great for shuriken practice! Here’s an idea for a spinning target.
Hitting a target with a shuriken can be tricky, right? This is a fantastic idea for when you think, “I want to practice!” What you’ll need: two milk cartons, two bamboo skewers, a straw, construction paper, scissors, glue, a pen, an awl, and craft adhesive.
The mechanism that spins when the shuriken hits is unique and fun! If you’re making it with children, be careful when handling the awl and bamboo skewers.
How far can the rubber stretch? game
Here’s a game-style experiment that makes learning fun: the “How far can a rubber band stretch?” game.
In this activity, you test how far a rubber band can be stretched.
Tie a rubber band so that it connects a bucket filled with weights and a rod, then pull only on the rod.
The goal is to see at what point of stretching the rubber band snaps.
It’s not only educational, but also exciting as you feel the suspense of wondering when the band will break.
Be sure to learn about the properties of rubber along with the experiment.
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!
Handmade Games: Craft Ideas You Can Make and Play (111–120)
basket
Why not try making a basket out of construction paper? First, make a loop from a strip of construction paper.
Then prepare eight strips that are half the length of the paper used for the loop.
Cross two strips to form a plus sign and attach their ends to the outside of the loop.
Cross another two strips and attach them to fill the gaps.
Attach the remaining four strips in the same way, but this time, attach them to the inside of the loop.
Prepare two long strips and weave them through the gaps between the papers attached to the loop, alternating over, under, over.
Finally, add a handle and you’re done!
Marble Drop
Why not try making a marble drop inspired by Anpanman? The base will be a plastic bottle.
First, cut it into three equal sections, then insert a piece of thick paper between the sections and reassemble them.
Punch marble-drop holes in the thick paper and decorate it to evoke Anpanman.
You could also make the thick paper look like Anpanman’s or Baikinman’s face.
Once you add the marbles, it’s complete.
Its cute appearance and the sound of the marbles dropping will captivate children.