This time, we’re introducing toys made of wood.
These days, there are many toys on the market made from materials that don’t easily break when dropped and with designs that catch children’s eyes.
Amidst that, we’ve focused on traditional wooden toys and gathered lots of ideas for handmade creations.
It’s said that wood’s natural warmth and pleasant feel stimulate children’s senses and give them a sense of security.
You can now easily buy supplies at home improvement stores, so give it a try and make some yourself!
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Make it with wood! A collection of easy DIY toy ideas! (1–10)
wooden bamboo-copter (toy helicopter spun by hand)
Do you remember playing as a child to see how high you could make a bamboo-copter fly? Here’s how to make a handmade bamboo-copter using an ice cream stick, a bamboo skewer, a file, and a utility knife.
First, make a hole in the center of the ice cream stick for the bamboo skewer to pass through.
Next, shape the ice cream stick into a propeller using the utility knife and file.
It helps to sketch the areas to be shaved with a pencil beforehand.
Once you finish shaving, refine the shape, insert the bamboo skewer, and secure it with glue so it won’t come loose.
If you’re making it with a child, using a file for the shaving step is safer and recommended.
When it’s done, try flying it as high as you can!
Wooden spoon kalimba
Noisy toys are very popular with kids, aren’t they? Here’s a handmade wooden toy using a wooden box, wooden spoons, disposable chopsticks, and a file.
First, cut the chopsticks and attach round hooks to the box lid.
Next, thread the chopsticks through the round hooks, then insert the handle ends of the wooden spoons between the chopsticks so they’re held in place.
The sound changes depending on the angle when you press and flick the spoons, which makes it fun.
Kids can probably help with parts like drawing on the spoons or attaching them with glue.
ita-gaeshi
A kamaboko board can be transformed into all kinds of toys.
Let’s make a kamaboko-board toy with changing pictures using five kamaboko boards and a ribbon.
Have your child draw pictures on the boards first.
Next, attach the ribbon to the specified positions on the boards with glue so that the pictures will change.
When you rotate the top board, the picture flips with a spin and you can enjoy the change.
Because kamaboko boards are flat, it’s easy for children to draw on them with colored pens.
Drawing a peekaboo (peek-a-boo) motif would be fun, too.
Rolling Dice
Dice are often used in games like sugoroku.
This time, we’ll show you how to make dice using wood.
The method is very simple: cut the wood into a cube, then draw designs on each face and you’re done.
It’s also lovely to add color and make them cute using colored pens or paints.
You’re free to draw whatever you like, so be sure to create your own original dice.
We also recommend trying different wood sizes.
You can even stack them like building blocks and play, so have fun making and playing with your child.
Handmade dominoes
By making homemade dominoes with your child, you can also increase parent-child bonding time.
This time, we’ll show you how to make DIY dominoes.
Prepare wood, glue, string, and paint.
Cut the wood into domino shapes and drill a hole in the center.
After threading the string through the hole, the key is to press the wood together with glue over the string.
Paint the dominoes together with your child, then drill placement holes in a flat board and attach legs.
Finally, thread the domino strings through and secure them to finish.
Even if the dominoes fall, you can pull the string to make them stand up again, making this a recommended toy for small children.