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[For Elementary School Kids] Handmade Toy Craft Ideas

There are plenty of opportunities to make handmade toys, like indoor play items or independent research projects.

Some of you might be thinking, “Isn’t there a toy I can make with things I already have at home?”

In this article, we’ve compiled a bunch of handmade toy ideas for elementary school children.

These are not only fun to make, but also fun to play with once they’re finished.

It’s also great to incorporate your favorite characters or designs when making them.

Be sure to check out these handmade toy ideas that you can enjoy with family and friends.

[For Elementary School Kids] Handmade Toy Craft Ideas (151–160)

64-shot cardboard chopstick rubber band gun

Cardboard craft: Easy “64-shot rubber band gun” how-to guide. (Made with rubber bands, cardboard, chopsticks, and a plastic bottle)
64-shot cardboard chopstick rubber band gun

A must-see for anyone who wants to push the limits of rubber band gun rapid fire! With this cardboard-based gun, you can fire an incredible 64 shots in a row! All you need is cardboard, a plastic bottle, chopsticks, rubber bands, kite string, plus a motor, batteries, and vinyl wire.

It’s a proper build with a built-in motor, so the difficulty is high—but that just makes the satisfaction of completing it even greater! Perfect for a summer vacation project or a stay-at-home activity during a long break—give it a try when you have time to take it slow.

Just be prepared: picking up all the rubber bands after 64 shots might be a bit of a challenge…

[Origami] Hand spinner

With a single sheet of origami! How to fold a super-spinning hand spinner — with voice commentary / ORIGAMI [Hand spinner] with subtitles
[Origami] Hand spinner

Let’s make it with origami! Here are some ideas for an origami hand spinner.

A hand spinner is a small toy that you spin with your palm or fingers.

It became a worldwide craze around 2017, so many parents may already know it.

This time, let’s make a hand spinner out of origami.

All you need is origami paper and glue.

If you blow on it, you can enjoy watching it spin around and around.

When giving it to a child with small hands, it’s a good idea to adjust the size of the origami paper.

Sweet potato digging craft

Let's make a papercraft for sweet potato digging! An easy fall craft you can make just by sticking things together, using an empty tissue box and newspaper.
Sweet potato digging craft

Here’s a craft idea that lets you enjoy sweet potato digging indoors.

Cut newspaper into A5-size pieces, roll them up tightly, and tie them with string to make three “potatoes.” Wrap them in purple origami paper to create realistic sweet potatoes.

Cut leaf shapes (heart-shaped) and attach them to the potatoes to make the leaf parts.

Cover an empty tissue box with brown origami paper to resemble soil, then place the potatoes inside—now you’re ready.

When you pull the leaf part, the sweet potato pops out from the “soil.” Using your hands helps stimulate the brain and can serve as rehabilitation, and the charm is that you can enjoy a seasonal tradition while playing.

It’s a craft that’s fun to make and fun to play with, letting you feel the spirit of autumn.

jack-in-the-box

[Demon Slayer] DIY at home: Remake a tissue box into a fun jack-in-the-box with a springing butterfly!! / Demon Slayer
jack-in-the-box

How about a jack-in-the-box featuring your favorite character? You’ll need a tissue box, rubber bands, origami paper, and a printout of your favorite character.

First, cut out the rim of the box and make a slit near the center.

Fold it up to form the box.

Decorate the box with origami paper as you like.

Next, make the popping contents.

Cut a toilet paper roll into three pieces, make slits, and thread rubber bands through them.

The rubber bands will make them spring.

Attach your favorite character to these pieces.

To prevent them from popping out too soon, pack as many as you can into the box and close it gently.

As soon as it opens, the characters will spring up—just like a real jack-in-the-box! If you make one using a grandchild’s favorite anime character and give it as a gift, they’re sure to be delighted.

buzzing top

[Wakuwaku-san’s Craft Workshop] Let’s make a “whirring spinning top” out of a milk carton!
buzzing top

Here’s an idea for making a whirligig (spinning top) from a milk carton.

You’ll need the bottom of a milk carton, an awl, scissors, twine, a permanent marker, and tape.

First, use the awl to make two holes in the bottom of the milk carton, spaced 1 centimeter apart.

Thread the twine through the two holes and tie the ends together.

If the twine is hard to thread, put a bit of tape on the tip to make it easier.

If you color the milk carton with a permanent marker or add stickers, the spinning top will look colorful and fun when it spins! Enjoy customizing the shape and design, too!

A pinwheel made with a clear file

How to Make a Colorful Pinwheel [Clear File]
A pinwheel made with a clear file

Let me introduce a pinwheel that spins in the wind.

Prepare a hanger, a clear file folder, pliers, scissors, and a felt-tip pen, and let’s get started.

Cut the clear file into a square and draw lines in an X shape to create the base for the blades.

Mark the center and the four corners, then punch holes.

Following the X lines, make one slit at a time with scissors, cutting toward the center.

Lift the four cut corners one by one, align them at the center, and staple to secure—this completes the blade base.

Insert a straw as the axle and attach the blades to the center of the hanger, then secure with pliers.

Your spinning pinwheel is complete!

[For Elementary School Students] Handmade Toy Making Ideas (161–170)

Simple chopstick gun

The Easiest Method: How to Make a Rubber Band Gun from Disposable Chopsticks [Handmade Toy / Craft]
Simple chopstick gun

This is a very simple chopstick rubber-band gun you can make with just two pairs of disposable chopsticks.

Clamp the tip of one chopstick set with the tip of the other and secure them with a rubber band.

At this point, use both chopsticks un-split, just as they are.

That’s actually all there is to the assembly! Then hook a rubber band onto the tip to set it, and slowly tilt the clamped chopstick diagonally like a trigger—the rubber band will launch.

Since you don’t need scissors, a cutter, glue, or anything else, it’s perfect for a craft project with small children.

Give it a try!