Let's make it by hand-knitting: children's toys. Cute ideas.
For babies and toddlers who’ve just started walking, you naturally worry about toys because of the risk of choking or injury.
That’s why I recommend hand-knit toys.
When you knit them yourself, you can freely choose the size to suit your child, and toys made with wool or cotton yarn are soft, so they can play safely.
In addition to classics like rattles and balls, this article also introduces ideas perfect for early learning.
You can find the necessary tools and materials at 100-yen shops, so give it a try!
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[Let's make it by hand knitting] Children's toys: cute ideas (1–10)
A sword that’s safe to play with
Playing with swords is one of the games kids love, but hard swords can hurt and cause injuries, which is dangerous.
So, how about crocheting a yarn sword? When you crochet with yarn, you can customize the colors, designs, and sizes, so it’s fun to decide together with your child.
It’s also a good idea to prepare several swords so they can play with friends.
The nice thing about using yarn is that if you don’t need it anymore, you can unravel it back into the original yarn and turn it into anything else.
Changeable shapes! A toy made of wire and yarn
Using leftover yarn and wire—the kind used for the stems of artificial flowers, which you can even buy at 100-yen shops—you can make a toy.
It’s not quite knitting in the traditional sense; you’ll use a simple, loom-like tool to make it.
If you don’t have that tool, you can use a fork or any two-pronged utensil as a substitute.
Thread the wire through the center and knit the yarn around it to cover it.
Be careful with the wire tips and make sure to finish the ends securely.
You can shape it in many ways, so you’ll probably want to make several.
mascot costume
Amigurumi made by knitting yarn are very cute, and they feel great to the touch, too.
Here, let’s try making an amigurumi dressed in a costume.
It’s adorable, yet uses fewer colors, and because the seams are less noticeable, it’s recommended for beginners.
Since you’ll be sewing the parts together, try to keep the tension of the yarn as consistent as possible for paired pieces like the right and left hands so they end up the same size.
For the spherical head, do your best to achieve as smooth a finish as possible.
[Let’s Make It by Hand-Knitting] Toys for Children: Cute Ideas (11–20)
Bear rattle with a wrist strap
This is called a wrist rattle, and it’s a rattle you wrap around a baby’s arm.
The rattle has a bear face on it, which should delight babies.
It would be appreciated not only for your own child but also as a handmade gift for a baby shower.
Since it’s small, even beginners with little knitting experience should be able to make it by carefully following the instructions.
Why not give it a try, regardless of gender or age? We recommend using cotton yarn, which is gentle on the skin and less irritating.
bento (boxed lunch)
Believe it or not, you can even make a bento with knitting.
Let’s knit a variety of foods—rice balls, bacon, green beans, potatoes, lettuce, tomatoes, and more.
Compared to plastic play food, a knitted bento has a much warmer feel.
Then pack them into a bento box or store-bought containers.
Filling the containers helps you appreciate the colors, practice fine motor skills, and when pretending to eat, it can spark a story—like deciding which one to start with.
Animal motif rattle
We’d like to introduce a rattle that babies can hold in their hands.
Since it uses cotton yarn, it’s safe even if it goes in their mouth.
We’ll avoid materials that could accidentally be swallowed, such as beads for the animal’s eyes, and choose safer alternatives.
It’s important to select materials from a baby’s perspective to prevent any accidents.
The handle section may require some technique, so this project might be best suited for intermediate or more advanced knitters.
A bell sealed in a capsule will be placed inside the animal’s head.
donut
Let’s try making some cute, delicious-looking mini donuts with crochet! They can work great as baby toys or decorative accents.
The loose, chunky stitch pattern is the key feature, and it’s easy enough for beginners.
You can change the donut size and color scheme, and even adjust yarn thickness to create donuts that fit your taste.
Even if knitting feels intimidating, crochet is an easy way to start—so go ahead and make some donuts your little ones will love!
