[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 (71–80)
A fabric picture book you assemble
This is a fabric picture book you can assemble.
What that means is, when you turn the page you’ll see felt shapes that don’t look like much at first, but if you put them together in the right order, they become a bag, a cup, or a lunch box! It’s a picture book, but the 3D, hands-on play is what makes it so fun.
You can put a cake on a plate and drink juice from a cup, or pack sausages, vegetables, and fruit into a lunch box—perfect for pretend play.
You can also swap out the cake and foods with your own creative ideas!
Picture matching
This is a game where you can experience the sensation of magnets sticking together and the satisfaction of matching pictures.
Let’s make a picture-matching toy that also supports children’s development.
First, divide the inside of a tablet-shaped candy container into three sections, insert magnets, and put on the lid.
Next, attach the illustrations for matching onto the tablet.
The key is to attach two of the same illustration.
After sticking illustrations on both the front and back, secure them with packing tape.
Then draw a frame on a whiteboard and add markers, and you’re done.
Try making this toy that lets you enjoy the sound of the magnets moving.
You can enjoy matching pictures too! A plastic bottle toy
Here’s an idea for a PET bottle toy that’s perfect for educational play.
First, prepare several plastic bottles.
Next, cut each bottle at about one-third from the top.
Then, insert a piece of thick paper with a character drawn on it into the open section.
Finally, stick a sticker of the same character on the bottle cap, and it’s complete.
Kids can enjoy opening and closing the caps and matching the character designs.
Using caps in different colors makes it look colorful and extra cute.
[Daycare] Handmade Toys That Delight Infants (81–90)
picture book
How about making a cloth picture book for babies out of felt? You can find colorful felt at 100-yen shops and craft stores, so try cutting, pasting, and sewing it to match your vision.
You can recreate a picture book your child loves, or add interactive elements they can play with.
There are many kinds of mechanisms: for example, motifs that can be peeled off with hook-and-loop tape, parts that fasten with buttons, and classics like puzzles or matching games.
Translucent origami kaleidoscope
Here’s an idea for making a kaleidoscope using a plastic wrap core and mirror-like sheets.
Cut the wrap core in half, then insert mirror-like sheets folded into a triangular prism.
Make sure the reflective sides face inward.
Cut a clear plastic sheet into a circle and attach translucent origami paper to it.
Make a hole in the center, insert a bamboo skewer through it, and secure it.
Align the bamboo skewer with the corner of the triangular mirror sheet and attach it so it runs along the side of the wrap core—then you’re done! If you smooth the edges of the clear sheet with sandpaper, it will be safer for children to play with.
fishing
A fishing game is a fun activity where the thrill comes from the “I caught one!” moment.
Prepare pictures of fish, octopuses, and other sea creatures using free illustrations, hand-drawn art, or coloring pages—whatever you like.
Make them together with the kids and have fun.
Then coat them with laminating film from a 100-yen shop.
Next, attach paper clips to the laminated pieces.
After that, tie a string to a pair of chopsticks and attach a magnet to the end, and you’re done! It’s a simple setup where the paper clips stick to the magnet, but it’s so much fun when you catch a lot.
Be sure to play it a lot with the kids!
baby gym
With just tubular cushions and hula hoop parts, you can make a DIY baby gym! Assemble the hula hoops into half-moon shapes, cross them in the center, and tie them together with string to secure.
Wrap tubular cushions around the legs and tape them in place, then attach items that attract children’s interest—like stuffed animals or bells—and you’re done in no time! What children find interesting changes one after another.
Being able to easily swap out the hanging items to match their changing interests is one of the unique benefits of making it yourself, don’t you think?
