[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 recyclables (31–40)
Playing with clothes
How about incorporating a newspaper clothing activity that nurtures children’s creativity? There’s no fixed way to make the clothes, so kids of any age can enjoy it! They can try all kinds of designs like dresses, skirts, and capes.
You can also make it stylish with tweaks like tying the waist with vinyl tape or cutting and separating sections to create pleats.
Of course, simply cutting holes for the neck and arms will turn it into clothing, so give it a try easily.
cute glasses
Let’s make stylish, handmade glasses using a toilet paper roll.
First, flatten the cardboard tube and mark it with two different kinds of masking tape.
Next, using the markings as a guide, cut off the four corners with scissors.
Then, along the markings, cut out two sections in the middle.
Turn it over and trim away any excess parts to bring it closer to the shape of glasses.
Restore the flattened tube to its original round shape, adjust it into the shape of glasses, and you’re done.
It will look cute whether you use solid-colored masking tape or patterned tape.
wiggly snake
Even in everyday life, it’s rare to see snakes in the city, isn’t it? So how about making a snake this time using a toilet paper roll? Let’s recreate a snake’s wiggly movement with toilet paper.
All you need are toilet paper rolls, scissors, and pipe cleaners.
Just cut the toilet paper roll to the sizes you need and connect the pieces with the pipe cleaners to finish.
Then add some color, and you’ll have a three-dimensional snake.
Its wriggling motion looks almost like a real snake, so enjoy that curious sensation as you make it!
catch-ball machine
How about making a fun catch-ball machine that shoots the ball and pawn with a satisfying pop? First, cut a circle in the center of a paper plate to match the diameter of a toilet paper tube, then cut away one quarter of the plate and overlap the edges to form a cone, taping it in place.
Next, cut slits into one end of the toilet paper tube, hook two rubber bands in a cross shape into the slits, secure them with tape so they don’t come off, and attach a ball made by wrapping tissues with tape to the rubber bands.
Thread the toilet paper tube through the hole in the paper plate and fix it in place.
Finally, make one more soft ball out of tissues and tape, and you’re done.
It’s fun to play alone, and making several to play with family or friends sounds great too!
chain drop
Let’s make a toy called a “chain dropper” using a milk powder can! It’s very easy to make.
Attach the parts of Anpanman’s face to the lid of the can, then cut out the mouth area with a utility knife.
After that, secure the lid with tape so it won’t come off, and just put the chain inside! Little kids love putting things into small holes like this—and they love pulling them out, too! It’s a simple toy, but it’s a classic favorite among children.
Give it a try!
[Childcare] Playing with Recycled Materials: Toys You Can Make from Recyclables (41–50)
plastic bottle cap
The spinning top made by connecting plastic bottle caps with string has a unique wind-catching shape and a colorful look that really stands out.
Make a hole in the center of each cap, connect them with string to form a ring, and adjust the angles as you shape it into a circle.
Once it’s neat and round, attach round pieces of thick paper to the top and bottom center, make holes in them, and add the axle to finish.
If it’s too small and hard to spin, try increasing the number of connected caps or making the axle larger for an easier grip.
Also pay attention to which direction it spins more easily, and aim for a more stable rotation.
drop-in box toy
Let’s make a drop-in toy that makes a fun sound when pieces fall in.
The base is an empty milk can.
Cut a hole in the lid to create the entry for dropping pieces.
Next, decorate the can with felt or other materials.
It would be lovely to make the round lid look like Anpanman’s face, too.
Once the can is ready, make the pieces to drop.
You can do this by combining two plastic bottle caps—simple! Its straightforward design makes it easy and appealing to try.
