[Childcare] Playing with scrap materials: Toys you can make from recycled items
Cardboard toilet paper rolls, milk cartons, plastic bottles—there are many kinds of scrap materials that can be repurposed.
Many of you have probably used them as materials for crafts.
In this article, we’ll introduce play ideas for early childhood settings that use scrap materials, as well as toys you can make and play with using them.
At first glance, scrap materials can be hard to figure out how to play with, but that’s exactly why children can use their free imagination to play with them in all sorts of ways.
If you’re thinking of trying some play with children using scrap materials, please use this as a reference and give it a try!
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[Childcare] Play with Recycled Materials. Toys You Can Make from Recycled Materials (21–30)
Scrap-Material Racing Car
It zips along and looks so cool! Let me share an idea for a racing car made from scrap materials.
Have you heard the word “scrap materials” before? It refers to materials or items that are thrown away as unnecessary.
Common examples include toilet paper rolls and plastic bottles.
This time, let’s try making a racing car using scrap materials.
You’ll need items like a toilet paper roll, plastic bottle caps, straws, bamboo skewers, colored paper, round stickers, and scissors.
It could be fun to race them with your family or friends, too.
Playable maracas
Taught by a professional percussionist! Here are ideas for making maracas from scrap materials.
Do you know the term “scrap materials”? It refers to materials or items that would otherwise be thrown away.
Common household scraps include toilet paper rolls and plastic bottles.
This time, let’s make maracas using scrap materials! What you’ll need: empty capsule toy containers, toilet paper rolls, beads, stickers, washi tape, and regular tape.
Give it a try!
Making houses out of thick paper (cardstock)
Here’s a guide to making an adorable cardboard house.
Use a ruler to sketch the house’s dimensions on the cardboard.
Carefully cut along the guidelines with scissors or a craft knife.
Add color to the cardboard using construction paper.
Cutting the construction paper with scissors is recommended, but tearing and pasting pieces might add a charming, handmade feel to the work as well.
Use glue to attach the parts and assemble them so they don’t fall apart.
Once you add the final decorations, your cute dollhouse is complete.
If you like, adding sparkly stickers or beads can make it even more charming!
Handmade maracas
Here’s an introduction to easy, handmade maracas you can make with everyday materials.
Gather a capsule toy case, a toilet paper roll, a plastic bottle, beads or buttons, and vinyl tape, and let’s get started.
Cut off the neck portion of the plastic bottle, roll the toilet paper core to make a sturdy handle, and attach it securely with vinyl tape.
Put the buttons or beads inside the capsule toy case, fasten it firmly with vinyl tape, and close the lid.
Once it’s finished, shake your maracas, sing along, and have fun!
Tambourine made from scrap materials
Shake it! Tap it! Enjoy the sounds! Here’s a tambourine idea made from recycled materials.
You’ll need a flat round box, six jingle bells, chenille stems (pipe cleaners), and a tool for making holes such as an awl.
First, make holes at six evenly spaced points around the round box.
Next, cut the pipe cleaners into six pieces, thread a bell onto each one, and attach them through the holes in the box—and you’re done.
Since there’s a risk of injury when making holes or handling the pipe cleaners, be sure to work together with a parent or teacher.
Marble Drop
Why not try making a marble drop inspired by Anpanman? The base will be a plastic bottle.
First, cut it into three equal sections, then insert a piece of thick paper between the sections and reassemble them.
Punch marble-drop holes in the thick paper and decorate it to evoke Anpanman.
You could also make the thick paper look like Anpanman’s or Baikinman’s face.
Once you add the marbles, it’s complete.
Its cute appearance and the sound of the marbles dropping will captivate children.
Goldfish scooping
If you could do goldfish scooping at home—a game you can usually only enjoy at festivals—wouldn’t that make kids eager to hop in the bath? First, cut a milk carton into long, narrow strips, wrap them with vinyl tape, attach a mesh sink strainer, and you’ve got your scooper (poi).
For the goldfish to scoop, cut goldfish shapes from construction paper and seal them between layers of clear tape so they don’t get wet.
Once both are ready, float the goldfish in the bathtub and let the goldfish scooping begin! If you involve the kids from the goldfish-making stage, it can also boost their motivation since they’ll get to play with a toy they made themselves.
