Fun DIY Toy Ideas You Can Make with 100-Yen Store Materials
Kids love playing with toys.
We want to provide toys that match their developmental stages and interests and let them play a lot, but buying new toys every time can be costly, which is a concern.
So this time, we’re introducing toy ideas you can make with materials from the 100-yen shop.
From items that stimulate the five senses through seeing and touching, to those that promote fine motor development, to things that can be used for pretend play—there are plenty of fun toy ideas that babies to preschoolers can enjoy.
Another great point is that they’re easy to make without spending much money!
These are perfect not only for daycare and kindergarten but also at home, so be sure to give them a try.
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Make it with dollar-store materials! Fun handmade toy ideas (41–50)
smart ball
You can make a smart ball game, a timeless favorite at festivals, using only items from the 100-yen shop: perforated board, square dowels, rubber bands, marbles, nails, double-sided tape, wooden dowels, and wood glue.
First, cut the lumber with a saw to fit the board and build a frame.
Attach the frame and the plunger with nails and a hammer, and fix a plastic sheet with double-sided tape to create the arch that rebounds the marbles.
Since the perforated board lets you place dowels freely, kids can have fun customizing and adding their own ideas!
Made with 100-yen shop materials! Fun handmade toy ideas (51–60)
sensory bottle
A sensory bottle is not only an item that stimulates sight with the slow movement of glittering materials, but also something children can play with by moving the bottle with their hands.
Choose a container with a smooth surface, such as an empty lactic acid bacteria drink bottle.
Fill it with cooled boiled water and liquid laundry starch (or clear glue), then add fun elements that move—like glitter, small beads, or rings—and it’s done! It’s fun to make many with different colors and themes.
To prevent leaks, secure the cap firmly with glue and tape.
sensory mat
A sensory mat with various parts is a mat you can enjoy by looking and touching.
You play by feeling different shapes and soft, bumpy areas with your hands, or by walking on them.
You can prepare a base mat and make the parts yourself.
By attaching items you have at home—such as plastic bottle caps, kitchen sponges, fluffy towels, water-filled plastic bags, and noise-making toys—you can easily create one.
Walking on uneven, unstable areas helps develop balance and leg strength, and even spots that feel a bit painful underfoot become valuable experiences.
Keep building a variety of senses and continue growing healthy and strong!
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!
Tape Balloon
These are fun, tactile tape balloons you can make using double-sided tape from a 100-yen shop.
It’s popular and easy to make if you use Crocodile Grip, a gel tape with strong adhesive power.
Materials include Crocodile Grip, clips, and a hand air pump.
First, cut the double-sided tape to about 4 cm, fold it in half over the pump nozzle, and seal the edges firmly.
Next, peel off the clear protective film on the surface and secure both ends with clips.
Pump in air, then slowly remove the pump and seal the opening with your fingers.
Once you get the hang of it, you can add glitter or other decorations at the beginning to make a cute, sparkly transparent balloon.
Tongs knob
If you prepare a pool noodle, pom-poms, and a toy pair of tongs, you can play a tong-picking game.
Using the tongs to pick up the pom-poms helps develop fine motor skills.
It also allows kids to focus, making it perfect for quiet indoor play.
If you put the pom-poms into the holes of the pool noodle and pretend it’s a cake, you can play bakery pretend play too.
You might also choose the colors of the pool noodle and pom-poms with pretend play in mind.
In addition, pushing the pom-poms out of the pool noodle to clean up is a great activity in itself.
Doll making
How about making a doll of your favorite character using a 100-yen shop doll set? These sets are popular because they include a poseable torso and head, letting you create a doll to your liking.
First, freely paint the face with acrylic paints.
For hair and accessories, it’s easy to attach resin clay, so I recommend it.
For example, if you want to make an energetic elementary school student, crafting small items like a recorder and a randoseru (school backpack) out of clay will look cute.
Clothes will look more realistic if you sew them from fabric, but clay works just fine too.
Have fun adding your own original touches!