[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 (21–30)
Snow globe made from a plastic bottle
Here’s how to make a snow globe using a plastic bottle.
Prepare an empty bottle from a lactic acid bacteria drink, decorative pom-poms, beads, glitter, liquid glue, and a hot glue gun.
Put the beads and decorative pom-poms into the empty drink bottle.
Fill the bottle about halfway with liquid glue, then add water.
Color a piece of paper with colored pens, place it into the bottle, and let it tint the liquid.
Mix everything together, then top up with water to push out any air, and you’re done.
Close the cap tightly and secure it with a hot glue gun so it won’t open.
Wrap vinyl tape around the top to finish.
Decorating with washi tape might make it even cuter!
Let’s try stacking or arranging the pool cues!
Here are some ways toddlers can enjoy playing with pool noodles! It’s fun to have plenty of pool noodles cut into pieces that fit in a child’s hand.
First, prepare a long string or rope threaded with the cut pool noodles.
If you stretch it horizontally at the child’s height, they can enjoy sliding the noodles left and right.
You can also stick hook-and-loop fasteners to the wall and the pool noodles so kids can attach them to the wall, or try stacking the pool noodles to build.
Have fun exploring different ideas!
[Daycare] Handmade Toys That Delight Infants (31–40)
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.
Handmade maracas
Here’s an introduction to easy, handmade maracas you can make with everyday materials.
Gather a capsule toy case, a toilet paper roll, a plastic bottle, beads or buttons, and vinyl tape, and let’s get started.
Cut off the neck portion of the plastic bottle, roll the toilet paper core to make a sturdy handle, and attach it securely with vinyl tape.
Put the buttons or beads inside the capsule toy case, fasten it firmly with vinyl tape, and close the lid.
Once it’s finished, shake your maracas, sing along, and have fun!
Summer at-home fun you can get all at the 100-yen shop!
Everything you need from the 100-yen shop! Here are some ideas for summer play at home.
Have you heard of a sensory bag? It’s a pouch-like item used as a toy to stimulate children’s senses, letting them play while engaging their perception and sensations.
This time, let’s make a DIY sensory bag and play with it! You’ll need a vacuum/compression bag, decorative pom-poms, beads, and liquid laundry starch or school glue.
You can also add glitter for extra sparkle.
The cool, chilly feel makes it perfect for summer.
[Ages 1 and up] Sensory mat
![[Ages 1 and up] Sensory mat](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/teM2_z91TMA/sddefault.jpg)
A “sensory mat” lets kids have fun and get stimulated even indoors.
Because they use mats that let them enjoy various sensations with the soles of their feet, you won’t have to worry about them running around the house! You can make a DIY sensory mat by attaching items with different textures to interlocking floor mats.
For example, choose safe materials for children to walk on barefoot, such as balloons, artificial flowers, sponges, or artificial turf.
If you’re playing in summer, items that feel cool—like cold packs—might also be effective.
Creating tunnels or circuits with sensory mats will make it even more exciting!
A dog on a walk
How about making a “Walk-along Puppy” as a play companion? You can handcraft it using a paper carton.
First, make a cut at about one-third of the height of the carton.
If you leave one side uncut, you’ll create a mechanism that lets the head bob up and down.
Next, attach a bell inside the carton and cover the outside with colored construction paper.
Then, make a slit at the head section and attach webbing tape to serve as the walking leash.
After that, place an unopened pack of air-dry clay in the body as a weight, and seal the cut edge of the carton to finish.
Make several so everyone can play together!
