Fun to play! A collection of handmade toy ideas made with construction paper
We’re introducing easy and fun toy-making ideas you can create with construction paper.
Construction paper comes in many colors, is easy to cut with scissors, and works well with glue or tape—so the possibilities are endless!
In this article, we share lots of toy ideas that will make you want to start crafting right away.
From toys made using only construction paper to creations that combine other materials, there’s plenty to explore.
Find your favorite toy idea and have fun making and playing with it!
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Fun to play! A collection of handmade toy ideas made with construction paper (1–10)
Hexagonal Turn
Let’s make a hexagonal flipper that’s fun to spin.
Cut construction paper into a rectangle, then fold it into alternating triangles by flipping front and back so that each fold forms a triangle from the edge.
Once you’ve folded to the end, open the paper and check that the creases create 10 triangles.
Cut off any parts that aren’t triangular, then refold along the creases into triangles.
Fold the first triangle back to the opposite side and glue it to the last triangle, and you’re done.
Decorate it as you like with stickers or drawings.
bodkin (drawstring threader)
Here’s how to make a hot-dog lacing activity.
You’ll need glue, red yarn, and a hole punch.
Next, cut out the bun, sausage, and lettuce pieces from construction paper.
We recommend making the pieces large enough for children to hold easily.
Glue the parts together, then use the hole punch to make evenly spaced holes around the lettuce.
Once it’s finished, have children thread the red yarn—pretending it’s ketchup—through the holes however they like! It’s a great activity for developing fine motor skills and concentration, so we highly recommend it.
fireworks launched into the sky
Here’s how to make a paper fireworks craft.
Prepare construction paper, origami paper, glue, scissors, tape, kite string, and a paper cup.
Fold the origami paper three times by matching corner to corner, then make accordion folds.
Make two of these in the same way.
Glue the ends of the three folded origami sheets together to form one long accordion, then fold the accordion together and snip about 3 cm cuts with scissors.
Cut two pieces of kite string about 10 cm long and attach one to each side near the ends of the accordion-folded origami using clear tape.
Next, roll a sheet of construction paper into a tube and secure it with clear tape, then wrap one sheet of origami around the top and tape it on.
Insert the accordion-folded origami into the tube and tape it firmly in place.
Tape the tube and the accordion together so that the kite strings sit horizontally.
To make the fireworks open when you pull them out, secure the strings at the edge of the black origami paper—and you’re done! Move the black origami section to launch and display your beautiful fireworks.
Fun to play! A collection of handmade toy ideas made with construction paper (11–20)
It’s like it’s alive! Pachi-paku face
A mysterious origami piece that looks like it’s talking when you move the finished face.
Use one sheet of origami for the eyes and nose, and one sheet for the mouth.
First, for the eyes-and-nose sheet, make vertical accordion folds.
Next, add horizontal accordion creases as well, but without unfolding the accordions near the center; instead, create four triangles partway along to form the eyes.
Then, for the mouth sheet, make accordion creases vertically and horizontally in the same way, leaving one of the accordion folds kept folded at the center.
Create a larger bulge for the mouth, shaping the top and bottom, to complete the mouth.
Finally, combine the eye-nose part with the mouth part and you’re done.
If you firmly hold the combined section and move it, the face will move!
ring caterpillar
Here’s how to make a super cute caterpillar by connecting rings.
Prepare colored construction paper, pipe cleaners, pom-poms, clear tape, and double-sided tape.
Cut three colors of paper into strips 20 cm long and 5 cm wide.
Once cut, shape each strip into a ring and glue the ends together.
For the caterpillar’s face, cut a circle out of green paper and draw the features with colored pencils.
For the antennae, wrap pipe cleaners around pom-poms and tape them to the back of the face with clear tape.
After attaching the face with double-sided tape, your wiggly caterpillar is complete.
The steps are simple, so even young children should find it easy to make!
ice cream
Let me introduce a fun ice cream shop you can make with a sketchbook.
Please prepare a sketchbook, drawing paper, scissors, packing tape, and double-sided tape.
Cut out circles about 5 cm in diameter from the drawing paper to make ice cream templates.
Use the templates to create your favorite ice creams and draw the toppings.
Be sure to put double-sided tape on the back! Cut the cone to match the size of the ice cream and draw patterns on it with crayons.
Make cups the same way.
Stick the cups and cones onto the sketchbook with some space between them, then cover the entire page with packing tape.
Make the ice cream shop on a separate page and cover that entire page with packing tape, too.
Create toppings, cover them with packing tape, and you’re done! Try sticking and peeling the pieces to play.
Fluttering Ladybug
Perfect for spring wall decorations! Here’s how to make a ladybug out of construction paper.
Prepare three circular pieces for the ladybug’s base and wings, plus a piece for the face.
Fold two of the wing pieces in half, then attach them to the base.
Make sure the creases face inward and the wings form a V shape.
Attach the face piece to the top of the base, draw patterns on the wings, and you’re done! When decorating a wall, it might look cute to make some clovers and display them together.
You can also hold it in your hand and flap the wings to play.