[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.
Shinkansen
Perfect for kids who love vehicles! Let’s make a movable Shinkansen (bullet train).
Recommended for children ages 4 and up.
First, cut a straw to match the length of a toilet paper roll core, and attach it to the top of the core.
Decorate it by using vinyl tape to create the Shinkansen design and drawing windows with a pen.
Finally, thread some kite string through the straw, and it’s done! Children can play by each holding one end of the string with a friend, or enjoy it as a wall-mounted toy—there are lots of ways to have fun.
You can make it even more exciting by increasing the number of trains or creating different types of trains to expand the play.
Newspaper Paper Kendama
This newspaper kendama is perfect for craft-loving kids aged 4 and up.
You can make both the kendama body and the ball entirely out of newspaper! The fun continues after making it, which is part of its charm.
For the body, stack several sheets of newspaper and roll them into a triangle; for the ball, crumple newspaper into a sphere and secure it with tape.
To finish, attach kite string to both the body and the ball—and you’re done! You can adjust the difficulty by changing the size of the body and ball, so feel free to tweak it to suit your child’s age and enjoy.
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!
Stroll Pet
Here’s an idea for a “walking pet” that’s sure to make strolling more fun.
The structure is quite simple.
First, connect two cores from rolls of packing tape.
Next, decorate the cores however you like, then cover them with clear tape.
Tie on a string so you can pull it along as you walk, and it’s done.
You can give it the look of an animal to enjoy a walk-like experience, or use characters like Anpanman for a cute touch.
It’ll feel like you’re taking a walk together, and it’s sure to be fun.
