Lovely childcare

[Daycare/Preschool] Handmade toys that delight infants

9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

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?

[Daycare] Handmade Toys That Delight Infants (31–40)

Puzzle

Easy with cardboard! Handmade puzzle

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.

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Handmade maracas

[Handmade Instruments] Make Maracas with Things at Home: A Fun Activity to Do with Your Kids

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!

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Hatena Box

Let’s make a fun toy that looks like it could be in a Mario game! Keep the lid of a formula can open, and attach a drain cover that fits the opening by flipping it upside down over the top.

Since your baby will be putting their hand through it, be sure to use a soft silicone drain cover.

Draw a question mark on the surface of the can and decorate it however you like—that’s it! Put small toys or snacks inside and have your baby guess what’s in there, or let them pull out cards that match a sample picture.

Because they can’t see the contents, it helps develop your baby’s imagination.

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Tall Poppo playing by pulling a chain

This is a toy that uses a wrap core, imagining it as a cute character called Noppo-san.

Thread a chain through the hollow center of the core so you can enjoy the sensation of pulling it.

First, wrap white tape around the part of the core that will become the face.

Using that section as the center, wrap tape in your favorite colors above it to look like hair and below it to look like clothing.

Next, cut out facial features from tape and stick them onto the face area.

Finally, pass the chain through the hollow and secure it—that’s it! You can add hands or dress Noppo-san in patterns you like to make them extra cute.

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Paku-Paku Bear

Pakupaku Kuma-san: a bear face sewn onto a large piece of felt with a zipper for its mouth.

Next to the bear, items like rice balls, bread, eggs, and vegetables are attached with snap buttons.

You can unfasten them and feed them to the bear—it’s a toy, right? The actions of unbuttoning and buttoning seem helpful for developing fine motor skills, and seeing the bear eagerly eat everything might spark children’s interest in food, making them think, “I want to try the same thing,” or “I wonder what it tastes like?”

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[Daycare] Handmade Toys That Delight Infants (41–50)

Fruit Concentration

These are felt cards you can use to play Concentration (Memory)! You can choose any motifs you like—fruits, vehicles, animals, anything is fine.

However, since Concentration is a game where you match pairs of identical cards, be sure to make two cards of each design.

Cut felt into card shapes and either glue or sew the motifs onto them.

If you’re making everything out of felt, it’s efficient to layer the same fabric and cut two identical pieces at once to save time.

If you want to keep things simple, you could also use store-bought appliqués and just stick them on.

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Mike

For kids who love to sing, a toy microphone is a great recommendation.

If you make it with felt, it won’t break if dropped and the risk of injury is low, so it’s a safe choice.

Create the handle and the microphone head with felt, and stuff the inside with fabric scraps or cotton.

Adding a ribbon or other accents would make it extra cute.

You can buy both felt and cotton at 100-yen shops, so try making it in your favorite colors.

Once it’s finished, sing using your microphone—you’ll enjoy a fresh, exciting feeling!

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