Fun and easy toy ideas made from empty Yakult bottles
Lactic acid bacteria drinks like Yakult are a daily favorite for many families.
They’re also well-known as recyclable materials that can be used for crafts in places like daycare centers and kindergartens.
Instead of throwing away the empty Yakult bottles that pile up every day, why not try making some simple crafts or toys for kids to play with before you toss them?
In this article, we’ll introduce ways to make toys and share ideas using empty Yakult bottles.
There are lots of simple and fun toys that kids will want to make—try creating them together with your child.
They’re also great for craft activities at preschools and senior care facilities.
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Simple and fun toy ideas made from empty Yakult containers (1–10)
flute
How about enjoying an ensemble with maracas and a whistle you can make from empty containers? For the maracas, use two empty containers.
Put a few beads or small bells into one, then align it with the other container and secure them firmly with vinyl tape.
Feel free to decorate them as you like.
For the whistle, first unfold a paper clip and tape it to the container.
Cut a milk carton to 5 cm by 8 cm, fold it into thirds, then make a cut about 1 cm long at the last fold.
Tape it in place, then fold back the part where you made the cut and insert it into the container with that side facing down to finish.
Whac-A-Mole
Let’s try making a whack-a-mole game—familiar from arcades—using Yakult containers.
Attach a spoon to a container to serve as a “mole,” and design it so the mole pops out from holes made with paper cups.
Decorations that hide the operators’ hands are also an important element to boost the excitement of the game.
By adjusting the number of moles and the number of people operating them, you can raise the difficulty and make the game even more thrilling.
ring toss
How about trying a compact and cute ring toss using empty lactic acid bacteria drink bottles? First, put some vinyl tape around the bottom of the empty containers.
Next, stick patterned washi tape around the middle.
You can easily make the rings by joining chenille stems (pipe cleaners) into circles.
Use colorful ones to create a fun vibe.
Place a sheet of colored paper as the base, arrange the decorated empty containers at random, and your ring toss stand is ready.
Adding point values will make it even more exciting!
Simple and fun toy ideas made from empty Yakult bottles (11–20)
spool tank
There’s a classic handmade toy that has entertained many children: the spool tank.
You attach a rubber band to an empty thread spool and make it run using the power of twisted tension.
You can actually make that spool tank with an empty Yakult bottle, too.
Its structure is quite simple—just glue a stick, like a chopstick, to the container and attach a rubber band.
Because it moves in unexpected ways, kids won’t get bored and can play with it over and over.
It would also be fun to make a bunch and race them together.
blowpipe (glassblowing); bubble blower
Do you know a blow ball toy? It’s a toy where, when you blow into a straw-like tube, the ball resting on the tip floats.
Let’s try making one ourselves.
For this idea, we’ll use the mouthpiece part of an empty Yakult container.
After cutting out just the mouthpiece, attach a straw to one side and use the other side as the place where the ball sits.
You can have plenty of fun with just this, but if you paint the parts from the empty container, you’ll probably feel more attached to it and like it even more.
ground spinner firework
Have you ever played with a spinning ground firework (nezumi-hanabi)? It’s named for the way it scurries along the ground.
Let’s make a toy inspired by that.
In this idea, you decorate an empty Yakult bottle to look like an animal.
Add your own personal touch and make it cute.
Once you’re done, attach a rubber-band mechanism inside to finish it.
Then, when you wind the rubber band, it will roll along the ground like a nezumi-hanabi.
It could also be fun to make versions based on other animals.
hula hoop
You can even use empty Yakult containers to make a big toy.
So, here’s an idea: a hula hoop.
This project involves connecting the empty Yakult containers into a circle by taping them together.
Once it’s formed, reinforce it again with vinyl tape.
It’s fun that you can’t tell at a glance that it’s made from Yakult containers.
If you reveal the materials, people will surely be surprised.
First, gather a lot of empty containers.