[Childcare] Recommended for toddlers! Toy ideas you can make and play with
Toys you can make and play with can be created from everyday materials if you match them to your child’s age and interests.
Through crafting, kids can have fun, grow attached to what they make, and even find opportunities to communicate with friends.
Here, we’ll introduce simple, easy-to-make toy ideas for toddlers.
There are plenty of options for indoor play and for enjoying outside!
Many can be made easily using familiar recyclable materials, so please use this as a reference and try making them together with your children!
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[Childcare] Recommended for toddlers! Toy ideas you can make and play with (41–50)
Jump Flower
Have you ever made a handmade toy using a paper cup? Here, I’d like to share an idea kids can play with together and love: the “Jumping Flower.” It’s very simple to make—just cut slits into a paper cup and fold them toward the center.
It’s easy to play with, too: press the cup down from the top, and it pops up with a fun springy bounce! Since it looks like a flower, making it in various colors also makes it nice for display.
Try making it together during parent-child time and let your children’s smiles blossom!
[Childcare] Recommended for toddlers! Toy ideas you can make and play with (51–60)
Indoor game with pool stick rackets
This is a pool noodle racket game that kids and adults can enjoy! First, bend a halved pool noodle into a ring and secure it with tape.
Next, wrap plastic wrap across it in a cross pattern three times, and you’ve got a clear racket! It’s fun to play solo with a balloon, but making another racket to play with a few people sounds great too.
Raising your head and lifting your arms in a “hands up” position is said to help strengthen your back muscles.
Because it’s very light, it’s safe for toddlers to play with.
It’s recommended for both outdoor and indoor play!
Wobble Game
@narumama_asobi The kids got super excited over the wobbly game—so thrilling and fun!! I’m happy because it’s easy to enjoy!! It uses their fingertips, makes them think about how not to let things fall, and keeps them focused, so it’s great for learning, too! 🥰#AtHomePlay#StayHomeTimepaper plate#PlasticBottleCap#ScrapMaterialPlay
Original song – narumama_asobi – narumama_asobi
Here’s an idea for a “Wobbly Game” that delivers edge-of-your-seat excitement using easy-to-find materials.
Fold a paper plate into thirds and place it rounded side down to create a shaky base.
Then, participants take turns stacking plastic bottle caps on top.
As the base grows more unstable, the tension of gently placing each cap becomes irresistibly fun! The rule is simple: if you make it collapse, you lose.
It’s a balance challenge that makes both kids and adults get competitive.
You can adjust the difficulty with a bit of creativity.
It’s a DIY game that gets everyone fired up.
Flitting along so fluffy♪ Parachute
A fluffy parachute that rides the wind and drifts down.
It’s a wind-play activity that excites not only kids but adults too.
First, cut a plastic bag into a 20 cm by 20 cm square.
Tie kite string to each of the four corners, then gather and tie the four string ends together.
Put that into a toilet paper tube and secure it with tape, and your parachute is ready.
Next, make a launcher using newspaper, a chopstick, and a rubber band.
Whether indoors or outdoors, take your time observing how it gently floats as it catches the airflow.
Straw rocket
This is a straw rocket that you launch by blowing air into it.
Make a slit in a straw, overlap the cut section, and secure it with cellophane tape to form a tapered shape.
Cut another straw to a suitable length and tape it to the back of a rocket cut out of construction paper.
Then glue another rocket cutout on top to cover the taped area.
Fit the straw with the paper rocket onto the tapered straw, and you’re ready to go! Enjoy in a spacious area so you don’t accidentally hit your friends.
Summer at-home fun you can get all at the 100-yen shop!
Everything you need from the 100-yen shop! Here are some ideas for summer play at home.
Have you heard of a sensory bag? It’s a pouch-like item used as a toy to stimulate children’s senses, letting them play while engaging their perception and sensations.
This time, let’s make a DIY sensory bag and play with it! You’ll need a vacuum/compression bag, decorative pom-poms, beads, and liquid laundry starch or school glue.
You can also add glitter for extra sparkle.
The cool, chilly feel makes it perfect for summer.
Crispy Slime Pretzel
Just like candy! Here are some ideas for crispy slime pretzels.
They’re super cute to look at, too! We’ll show you ideas for making crispy slime.
When you think of slime, many people probably imagine a soft texture that stretches out.
This time, let’s transform slime into a crispy form and have fun with it.
What you’ll need: molds, a melamine sponge, candle wax, parchment paper, and toothpicks.
Be sure to work together with a parent or teacher when making this.
The finished crispy slime looks just like candy, but please play with it without putting it in your mouth.