[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 (31–40)
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!
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.
Swirl it up with plastic wrap
The wrap whirl toy is charming for its unique look.
The method is simple: first, prepare the core from a roll of plastic wrap.
Next, apply masking tape along the cut line on the core.
Finally, stick on a different-colored masking tape in the same manner, and it’s done.
Try finishing it with an image like a barber’s pole sign.
When you roll it, the two lines appear to intertwine, which is sure to catch the eye.
It can also be fun to roll it in front of a baby.
A toy that’s fun to put things into
Here’s an introduction to a fun, handmade toy that lets you drop balls in over and over.
Cut off the bottom of a plastic bottle with a utility knife, then make a hole in the middle large enough for a ball to pass through.
Use tape to cover the edges of the middle hole.
Since children will put their hands in, make sure there are no sharp edges.
Next, cut the bottom of a zippered laundry net with scissors and attach it to the plastic bottle.
And that’s it—the toy is complete! It’s also cute if you add a face around the ball entrance.
A toy with many ways to play when cut into small pieces
Cut a paper wrap core into five pieces and wrap them with felt to make a toy.
To prevent injuries from the cut edges, please cover them with masking tape or something similar.
Basically, once you cut and attach the felt, it’s done, but it could be fun to write numbers on them or add hook-and-loop fasteners so the cores stick together.
You can also prepare a string to enjoy threading, use them like building blocks, or connect them all to pretend they’re a train.
It’s a simple toy, but there are many ways to play with it!
[Daycare] Handmade Toys That Delight Infants (41–50)
rod threading
Cut pool noodles into various widths and try threading them onto a rod.
Prepare several colors as well.
Deep, focused play is an important experience for children.
It’s a simple activity that offers many discoveries—like figuring out how many pieces are needed to stack up to the height of the rod, and how different color combinations look.
Because it’s hard to do this activity with friends sharing one setup, be sure to have enough rods for threading.
Watching children absorbed in play is one of the joys of being a teacher, too.
Tambourine you can make with things at home
Here’s an idea for making a tambourine using items you have at home.
You’ll need a round container from a six-piece cheese pack, jingle bells, string, animal-themed templates, colored construction paper, origami paper, scissors, and glue or double-sided tape.
Even if children don’t recognize it as a musical instrument, this works as a special sound-making toy that infants can enjoy.
The cute animal motifs will spark children’s interest and curiosity.
Let’s make sounds freely and have fun playing along with music and rhythm!