[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)
a toy that makes a rustling/clicking sound
The soft plastic used for the lid on canned milk—neither rubber nor floppy—has that perfect firmness that feels timeless.
So, let’s make a “shaker toy” using just the lid instead of the whole can.
First, decorate two lids with drawings; it’s best to make the front and back completely different so you can tell them apart.
Put some beads between the lids, stick the two pieces together, and secure them firmly with tape.
That’s it! You can roll it, tap it, or even pretend it’s a flying disc and throw it to play.
castanet
These castanets produce a delightfully light sound that you wouldn’t believe comes from a milk carton and plastic bottle caps.
You’ll need a milk carton, scissors, double-sided tape, and colored tape.
First, prepare one panel of the milk carton.
Cut off the spout, then cut the panel in half horizontally.
Attach a cap to the center of each piece using double-sided tape.
Finally, fasten the ends of the milk carton pieces together with colored tape, and you’re done.
When you pull the ends against each other, they make a fun clicking sound—enjoy playing your simple, homemade castanets with everyone!
snow globe
How about making a glittering, beautiful-looking snow globe? In this project, you create a snow globe by putting liquid starch (laundry glue) and glitter into a 112 ml plastic bottle.
Unlike a typical snow globe, its easy-to-hold shape makes it fun to shake and play with.
By the way, the look of this snow globe changes a lot depending on the color and amount of glitter you use.
It could be fun to make several variations.
Also, don’t forget to seal it tightly so the liquid inside doesn’t spill.
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!
motorcycle
A ride-on bike made from milk cartons that little kids can actually sit on and play with! Just reinforce the milk cartons by stuffing them with newspaper, fix them into rectangular shapes, and assemble ten parts.
Attach felt to the bottom to prevent scratches, and use a plastic wrap core as the handle—this craft is full of clever ideas.
You can decorate it with colored tape or let your child freely add stickers—so cute! This easy-to-make ride-on is sure to be a big hit at preschools and kindergartens.
balloon mat
A balloon mat where kids can play safely and have fun.
Prepare balloons in various colors, pack them into a large compression bag, and use a vacuum to compress it—your very own balloon mat is ready in no time.
It’s surprisingly durable and resists popping even when children jump on it.
And if a balloon does pop, you can easily fix it by replacing the balloons, putting them back in the bag, and compressing it again.
The bouncy, tactile feel when stepping or touching it is delightful, sparking kids’ curiosity and plenty of smiles!
Puzzle
How about making a handmade puzzle out of cardboard? With three or four pieces, even a two-year-old can enjoy matching the picture while playing.
First, cut the cardboard into a rectangle.
The key is to cut it a bit larger so you can also make a frame.
Next, cut out the overall size of the puzzle.
Paste a picture onto the cardboard and cut it into pieces of your preferred size.
Finally, reinforce the exposed edges of the cardboard with tape, and attach another sheet of cardboard to the back of the frame to finish.
Once the children get used to puzzles, you can make versions with more pieces.
