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)
spring
Here’s how to make a rainbow spring.
Prepare four colors of B4-size construction paper and a piece of thick paper measuring 4.5 cm × 4.5 cm.
You can get five strips from one sheet, so cut all four sheets into 5 cm-wide strips.
Once you have two strips of the same color, glue their ends together.
Fold the lower strip forward, then fold the one that’s now on the bottom to the right.
Continue folding alternately in the same way.
When you finish, connect the yellow strip and keep folding in the same alternating pattern.
Connect all the colors to complete the length.
Finally, trim any excess, glue the ends, and attach the thick paper in between to finish.
Try playing with it on the stairs!
It’s like it’s alive! Pachi-paku faceNEW!
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!
Magic Theater
Even kids will be amazed! Here’s how to make a mysterious magic theater.
All you need are your favorite illustration, a clear file (plastic sleeve), and felt-tip pens.
Place the illustration under the clear file and trace the drawing.
To keep it from shifting, tape or clip one side—it makes tracing easier.
Cut out a window in a sheet of cardstock to create a frame so the illustration is visible, then prepare a colored sheet for a divider and add 1.5 cm glue flaps on both sides of the 16.0 cm edges.
Glue it to the side without the window.
Slide the illustration in with the white sheet as the separator, and you’re done.
This curious and fun magic theater is sure to be a hit as a performance at events!
Accessory storage basket
Let me show you how to make a cute little storage basket.
Prepare scissors, glue, and colored construction paper.
Fold the paper in half vertically and cut along the fold.
We’ll use just one of the halves.
Fold it in half again, crease to make four fold lines, and cut along those lines.
Then take the pieces you cut, fold them lengthwise, and cut again into long, narrow strips so you have 8 strips.
On just one strip, apply about 1 cm of glue at the end and make it into a ring.
Fold the remaining strips in half and cut them.
Now glue the eight short strips and the ring together.
Apply glue to the first short strip and attach it to the ring so it forms a semicircle.
Attach the second strip so it crosses like an X.
For the rest, glue them so they intersect in the centers of the gaps.
Next, take the long strips, weave them from bottom to top and out through the opposite gaps, repeating the process.
When you can’t pass the strip through anymore, glue it in place.
As you continue, make sure the starting position alternates with the previous row so the weaving pattern stays consistent.
Finally, adjust the shape, glue on a handle, and your basket is complete!
UFO catcher
I’ll show you how to make a simple and cute snake crane game.
You’ll need a long strip of colored construction paper, some red construction paper, clear tape, scissors, and a felt-tip pen.
Let’s get started! Fold the long strip of paper in half so a little bit sticks out at the bottom, and use scissors to cut a slit in the center.
If you fold it in half and hold the middle part, you can move it up and down with your hand.
Cut the red paper into a thin strip for the snake’s tongue and tape it onto the paper you just made—the snake is done.
Next, take another long piece of paper, fold it, and make two vertical slits.
Fold it into thirds lengthwise, then fold the tip slightly—your crane is complete! Roll up any leftover paper to make a “goal,” then try catching it and have fun playing!