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)
Wiggly snake
This is a snake made from empty Yakult containers, with a body that wiggles and stretches for fun.
First, use an awl or similar tool to make a hole in the bottom of each empty container.
Next, thread a roughly 60 cm elastic cord through the holes to connect four containers.
Then, make a knot about 10 cm from the end of the elastic that’s sticking out of the mouth end, and pull from the opposite side.
Tie a knot at the bottom end as well and cut off any excess.
Paint the elastic cord sticking out of the mouth red to make the snake’s tongue.
Decorate the containers with stickers or markers, and finish your charming little snake!
Fishing game
Why not enjoy some fishing by using the container’s shape just as it is? First, wrap vinyl tape around an empty container.
Add fins using cellophane that matches the colors of the tape—red, yellow, blue, and so on.
Attach eye stickers to the face portion, and your fish is complete.
Next, bend a black chenille stem (pipe cleaner), tie a thread to it, and attach it to a pair of chopsticks to make a fishing rod.
Hooking the bent pipe cleaner into the fish’s mouth is surprisingly tricky, and you can enjoy it just like real fishing!
Tonton Sumo
When you want to liven things up with a competitive game, “Tonton Sumo” is a great option.
The key idea here is to make the wrestlers using Yakult containers.
First, turn an empty Yakult bottle upside down and attach paper to it.
This will be the wrestler’s body.
Once that’s done, add a paper head, arms, and legs to finish.
Normally, Tonton Sumo wrestlers are made entirely of paper, but using an empty Yakult container gives them a more three-dimensional look.
Try making wrestlers with your favorite designs!
Cherry Blossom Stamp
This is a cherry blossom-pattern stamp that makes use of the small, easy-to-hold Yakult container—you can press it lightly and use it in various situations.
Simply attach a plastic bottle cap to the container and stick a cushion sheet cut into a cherry blossom shape onto the cap to finish.
By shaping it like petals, you can press at different angles to create a variety of cherry blossoms.
If you change the cushion sheet’s shape, you can make other designs too, so it might be fun to come up with your own original stamps.
maracas
Maracas that make use of the Yakult bottle’s distinctive shape and lightness—what a craft you can keep enjoying even after you make it.
The method is simple: put beads or similar items inside the bottle, attach a cap, add decorations, and you’re done.
Because the beads strike the bottle’s unique contours, it’s easy to make sound without thinking too much about how you shake it.
It’s also fun that there are many variations, such as sealing a single bottle or connecting two bottles together.
Use your fingers for the finer steps and try adding your own personal decorations.
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.
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!
Rocket
Why not try making a pop-up rocket using Yakult containers? All you need are two empty Yakult bottles, a paper cup, masking tape, a straw, and a rubber band.
Connect the two empty containers at the mouth openings to make the rocket, and use the paper cup, straw, and rubber band to build the launcher.
If the rubber band is too loose, it won’t fly, so set the rocket and test-launch it.
It’s a recommended DIY toy you can make on days you can’t play outside and enjoy indoors.
Snowman mascot
How about making cute snowman dolls using Yakult containers? First, remove the foil lid and the plastic sleeve from the containers.
Next, cover them with white fabric; if you want to give the snowmen a soft, fluffy look, using quilt batting is recommended.
Once the entire surface is covered with fabric, use yarn to make hats for the snowmen.
Then, decorate them with beads and other materials to create the facial features like eyes and nose, as well as decorations for their bodies, and you’re done! Make several and display them together to create a lively, gentle atmosphere.
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.