[Daycare/Preschool] Handmade toys that delight infants
Infants grow and change so quickly, don’t they?
The kinds of play they’re interested in vary with each developmental stage.
Constantly buying new toys to keep up can be tough!
If that sounds like you, this is a must-read.
Today, we’re sharing ideas for handmade toys that babies will love.
We’ve packed in ideas that stimulate children’s five senses—sound, shape, and texture—to spark their curiosity.
They’re all made from everyday materials, so they’re easy on the budget too.
Another perk of handmade toys is that you can adjust colors, designs, and sizes to suit each child’s personality.
Why not try making toys that your little ones will love to play with, while also enjoying the warmth that only handmade items can offer?
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[Daycare] Handmade Toys That Delight Infants (61–70)
Snug Little Caterpillar
A toy that lets kids learn the concept of numbers while playing: “Stick-On Caterpillar.” You make a caterpillar out of pom-poms, attach it to a magnet-tipped pen, and then insert it into a cardboard roll (from plastic wrap) cut to the matching length.
The numbers go from 1 to 6, so for the tube labeled 1, make a caterpillar with 1 pom-pom; for 6, connect 6 pom-poms.
Use an awl to make holes, thread a pipe cleaner through to secure the pom-poms, and sew on the face with thread.
Cut the wrap core to fit the caterpillar’s length and decorate it by wrapping construction paper around it.
It’s super cute—give it a try!
felt ball
Felt balls, which can be played with in many ways, are also recommended.
First, download a pentagon template from the internet and use it to cut cardboard.
Next, cut felt to match the pentagons you’ve made and embroider the characters on them.
Once you have 12 pieces, assemble them, stuff them with filling, and you’re done.
I hope you’ll play freely—roll it to see which character shows up or toss it in the air.
You can also put a bell inside to enjoy the sound.
plastic bottle maracas
“Plastic Bottle Maracas” are perfect toys for 2-year-olds who love enjoying sounds.
Choose a 500 ml plastic bottle, which is easy for small hands to hold, and give it a try.
Be sure to fill the bottle with beads or small counters together with the children.
This will spark their interest in the maracas and give them more chances to pick them up.
Two-year-olds are also at a stage where they can pretend to play in an ensemble.
If you shake the maracas to the teacher’s singing, it will be a fresh and exciting experience for the children.
Perfect for button practice! Onigiri
Here’s an idea for felt rice balls that help kids practice buttoning! First, cut a rectangle from white felt and fold it.
Keeping the middle of the folded edge intact, cut it into a rice ball shape.
Make fillings like pickled plum or salmon and sew on snap buttons.
Sew matching snap buttons to the center of the rice ball’s inside as well.
Sew a two-hole button to the upper inside part of the rice ball, and make a slit on the opposite side.
Finally, glue a strip of seaweed cut from black felt to the outside, and you’re done! Attach your favorite filling and close the rice ball with the buttons to enjoy making onigiri.
bowling
This is a PET-bottle bowling game that even small children can enjoy indoors.
Decorate the bottles with the children’s artwork made using stickers, crayons, scissors, and glue! Kids will love the tactile fun of sticking on stickers and the fresh experience of drawing with crayons.
If scissors are used, teachers should provide age-appropriate support.
Wrap the finished drawings around the PET bottles and enjoy bowling! The excitement of a first bowling game will have their hearts racing.
When they knock the pins down well, they’ll also feel a great sense of achievement!
drop-in box toy
Let’s make a drop-in toy that makes a fun sound when pieces fall in.
The base is an empty milk can.
Cut a hole in the lid to create the entry for dropping pieces.
Next, decorate the can with felt or other materials.
It would be lovely to make the round lid look like Anpanman’s face, too.
Once the can is ready, make the pieces to drop.
You can do this by combining two plastic bottle caps—simple! Its straightforward design makes it easy and appealing to try.
mobile
Here’s an idea for making your own mobile that people of all ages can enjoy.
A mobile is the gently swaying decoration often hung above a baby’s crib.
By combining circles cut from construction paper to create three-dimensional motifs, you can make something that looks equally delightful from any angle.
You can also switch up the colors for each motif to make it colorful, or experiment with shapes to add originality.
Let’s create a cute mobile that matches the atmosphere of your room!