![[Playable from infancy] Fun DIY water play toy ideas](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/1PaD6ZDkolU/sddefault.jpg)
[Playable from infancy] Fun DIY water play toy ideas
As it starts to get hot, it becomes the perfect season for water play.
Even without going out to a big pool, many families set up a vinyl pool in the bathroom or on the balcony at home and have fun.
Here are some handmade water-play companions and items that really come in handy at those times.
You can make them together with the kids, and the making process itself is fun too.
There’s no need to buy anything special—these are all things you can make with materials you already have at home, like scrap materials, milk cartons, and empty plastic bottles.
When you make something yourself, you grow attached to it, and the fun doubles!
Fun DIY Water Play Toy Ideas (1–10) for Babies and Toddlers
Sponge Octopus-san
Let’s make and play with a little octopus using a kitchen sponge! You know the old-fashioned kind of dishwashing sponge that comes inside a net, right? We’ll use that sponge as-is to create it.
First, cut the edge of the outer net with scissors and take out the sponge inside.
Trim the sponge into a round shape to become the octopus’s head.
Once it’s rounded, make slits with scissors, thread a net with twine (takoi-to) through the sponge, tie the twine tightly, and trim the end of the net—now the octopus’s legs are done! Finally, attach eye parts and draw the mouth to finish it up.
Foamy PET Bottle
It’s a super easy-to-make “foamy bottle” that kids are sure to love.
Use only the top part—the neck—of a 2-liter plastic bottle, cutting it off with a utility knife or similar.
Since the cut edge is sharp, cover it with vinyl tape or something similar.
Then prepare a dishcloth or towel large enough to cover the top, and secure it with a rubber band—and you’re done! Super simple, right? To play, rub some soap that’s been moistened with water onto the towel part, then blow through the bottle’s mouth… and out come loads of fluffy bubbles! It looks like it would be fun to play with in the bath, too.
PET bottle water gun
How about making a simple, homemade water gun using things you have at home and giving it a try? All you need is a plastic bottle, a straw, and a tool to make a hole, such as an awl, scissors, or a screwdriver.
It’s very easy to make: use the awl to make a hole in the center of the bottle cap, then widen the hole with scissors or a screwdriver until it’s big enough for the straw.
Fill the plastic bottle with water, insert the straw, and screw the cap back on, and you’re done! When you squeeze the bottle, water shoots out with force! You can also customize it by making lots of small holes or increasing the number of straws.
Goldfish scooping
Goldfish scooping—kids just love it, don’t they? But doing the real thing can be pretty tricky.
How about making simple toy goldfish with items you already have at home and playing a pretend goldfish-scooping game? Take two plastic bottle caps, put them together, and wrap them with vinyl tape in goldfish colors like red or black.
Cut small circles from white vinyl tape for the eyes and stick them on, then cover the whole thing with a mesh strainer bag, tie it tightly, and trim off the excess—that’s your goldfish done! You can also make the scooping “poi” net easily with a plastic bottle and vinyl tape.
Swimming goggles made from a milk carton
Milk cartons are such a reliable ally for homemade toys, aren’t they? They’re water-resistant and useful for all kinds of projects, including water-play toys.
Let’s use a milk carton to make a periscope-style underwater viewer and have some fun! Fold the milk carton and cut off the top and bottom.
Once it’s a tube, cover one end with plastic wrap and secure it with a rubber band—that’s it! You can also decorate the outside with vinyl tape.
You can make several short ones, or use an entire carton to create a long underwater viewer—it sounds fun either way.
PET bottle whale
A cute plastic-bottle whale toy that squirts water from its back.
It’s very easy to make, has a water-spraying mechanism, and kids are sure to love it! Materials: a 500 ml plastic bottle, a bendable straw, a milk carton, a permanent marker, and vinyl tape.
First, make a hole in the part that will be the whale’s back for the straw to pass through.
Insert the straw and trim the excess.
Then draw eyes on the bottle and attach a tail fin made from the milk carton to finish.
Fill it with water, and when you squeeze the bottle, water sprays from its back.
Fishing game
A fishing game that kids are guaranteed to get excited about—and you don’t even need to buy a store-bought version.
You can easily make it at home with simple materials! You’ll need a milk carton, paper clips, a wooden chopstick, a magnet, and string.
First, draw the main fish on the inside of the milk carton.
Once you’ve drawn them, cut them out and color each one with a permanent marker.
When you’re done coloring, attach a paper clip to each fish’s mouth with cellophane tape—that completes the fish! Tie the string to the chopstick, tape a magnet to the end, and use this fishing rod to catch the fish.
Castanets of a Floating Sea Otter
Let’s make a cute otter castanet that floats on water using the bottom of a milk carton! Otters float on their backs with a shell on their bellies and crack the shell with a stone in their hands, right? We’ll use a milk carton for the otter, and plastic bottle caps for the shell and stone.
First, cut the milk carton about in half, make slits at the four corners, and fold all four flaps outward.
Draw the otter’s face on the folded section, and on the opposite side draw its feet and tail.
Draw the hands on the left and right sides, cut along the outlines, then attach a bottle cap to the hands and another cap to the bottom—and it’s done.
It’s a cute toy even just floating in the water.
hydraulic boat
A hydro-powered boat that moves by expelling water.
Making one by hand might sound challenging, but with a milk carton, an empty dessert cup, and a straw, it’s actually easy! First, cut the milk carton in half lengthwise and make a hole in the bottom large enough for a straw to pass through.
Do the same with the empty container (like a yogurt cup), making a hole for the straw, and attach it to the milk carton hull using wood glue or similar adhesive.
Thread the straw through the dessert cup and the milk carton, and you’re done! Float it on water, pour water into the dessert cup, and it will move on its own!
watering can
Let’s make a watering can using a plastic bottle! You’ll need an empty plastic bottle, an awl for making holes, vinyl tape, and nylon tape.
First, make several holes in the bottom of the bottle.
Since using an awl can be dangerous, an adult should do this part.
Once the holes are made, it’s time to decorate.
Wrap vinyl tape around the bottle and let the kids decorate it however they like—sounds fun, right? Then braid the nylon tape and attach it to the bottle to make a handle, and you’re done.
Fill the bottle with water and screw the cap on; no water will come out.
When you open the cap, the water will pour out vigorously!