Creative and Fun DIY Children's Toys and Games You Can Make at Home

As a parent or caregiver, there's something truly special about creating toys and games for children. Not only does it save money, but it also fosters creativity, enhances learning, and strengthens the bond between you and the little ones. Making DIY children's toys and games at home is a rewarding experience that sparks imagination and encourages hands-on play.

In this actionable guide, we'll explore creative and fun DIY toys and games that you can easily make with materials you likely already have at home. These projects are perfect for rainy days, family bonding time, or simply adding a personal touch to the toys your children play with. Let's dive in!

Cardboard Playhouse

A cardboard playhouse is a classic DIY project that can provide endless hours of imaginative play. It's simple to make, and you can customize it to reflect your child's favorite themes---whether it's a castle, a spaceship, or a cozy home.

How to Make It:

• Materials Needed:

  • Large cardboard boxes (you can often get them for free from local stores or online)
  • Scissors or a box cutter
  • Tape or glue
  • Markers, crayons, or paint for decorating
  • Optional: Stickers, fabric scraps, and other craft supplies for decoration

• Steps:

  1. Find a large cardboard box or multiple boxes to create the walls, roof, and floor.
  2. Cut out windows and doors from the sides of the box, ensuring they're big enough for your child to enter and exit easily.
  3. Use tape or glue to secure the walls together and shape the box into a house-like structure.
  4. Let your child decorate the playhouse with markers, crayons, and stickers. You can create a pretend kitchen, living room, or bedroom with the right decorations.
  5. Add fabric scraps to make curtains or create a "roof" using more cardboard or fabric.

Why It Works:

This project allows for significant creativity, and the end result is a fun, personalized space for your child to play in. Whether it's a hideaway for imaginative play or a space for quiet time, the cardboard playhouse is versatile and sustainable.

Homemade Playdough

Playdough is a timeless toy that helps develop a child's fine motor skills and creativity. Making it at home is incredibly easy and can be customized with colors and scents to enhance the sensory experience.

How to Make It:

• Materials Needed:

  • 2 cups of all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup of salt
  • 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar
  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  • 1 cup of water
  • Food coloring (optional)
  • Essential oils (optional for scent)

• Steps:

  1. In a large pot, combine the flour, salt, and cream of tartar.
  2. Add the water, vegetable oil, and food coloring (if desired). Stir until well mixed.
  3. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring continuously, until it begins to thicken and form into a dough.
  4. Remove the dough from the pot and allow it to cool slightly.
  5. Once cool enough to handle, knead the dough on a flat surface until smooth and soft. You can add essential oils at this point if you want to give it a scent (like lavender or citrus).
  6. Store the playdough in an airtight container when not in use to keep it fresh.

Why It Works:

Making playdough at home is not only a fun activity but also a great way to teach kids about the process of mixing and creating something from scratch. Homemade playdough is non-toxic and customizable to suit any child's preferences.

Sock Puppets

Sock puppets are easy to make and provide hours of entertainment. They encourage storytelling and role-playing, helping to develop communication skills and imagination.

How to Make It:

• Materials Needed:

  • Old socks (preferably ones with bright colors or patterns)
  • Buttons, googly eyes, or felt for facial features
  • Fabric glue or a hot glue gun
  • Yarn or fabric for hair (optional)
  • Markers or paint for additional decoration

• Steps:

  1. Choose a sock that fits comfortably over your hand.
  2. Use fabric glue to attach buttons or googly eyes to the toe area to form the puppet's eyes.
  3. Cut yarn into small pieces to create hair, and glue them to the top of the sock.
  4. Decorate the puppet's mouth and other facial features using felt or fabric. You can also use markers to add details like a nose, mouth, or eyebrows.
  5. Once the glue has dried, your sock puppet is ready to perform!

Why It Works:

Sock puppets are a fantastic way to encourage imaginative play. Children can use them to act out stories, develop dialogues, and even perform mini-theater shows, fostering creativity and social skills.

Bottle Bowling

Create a bowling set using empty plastic bottles and a soft ball. This activity is a fun way to help children develop hand-eye coordination, motor skills, and focus.

How to Make It:

• Materials Needed:

  • 6-10 empty plastic bottles (like water or soda bottles)
  • A soft ball (such as a rubber ball or a ball made of fabric)
  • Paint or markers for decoration (optional)
  • Tape or glue for stability

• Steps:

  1. Rinse and dry the plastic bottles thoroughly.
  2. Decorate the bottles with paint or markers to give each one a unique look.
  3. Set the bottles up in a bowling pin formation (4 in the back row, 3 in the middle, and 2 in the front) on a flat surface.
  4. Use a soft ball to roll toward the pins and try to knock them down.
  5. You can keep score by counting how many pins were knocked over or create challenges for your child to improve their aim and technique.

Why It Works:

Bottle bowling is a fun and active game that helps kids develop physical skills such as throwing, aiming, and coordination. Plus, it's a simple DIY project that can be done in minutes with minimal materials.

Sensory Bags

Sensory bags are a great way to engage younger children and help them develop tactile senses. These bags are filled with different materials that children can squish, squelch, and manipulate. They're especially useful for calming down or focusing energy.

How to Make It:

• Materials Needed:

  • Ziplock bags (large or medium size)
  • Hair gel, shaving cream, or cornstarch mixed with water for the base
  • Small toys, beads, glitter, buttons, fabric, or any other sensory items
  • Duct tape or strong packing tape

• Steps:

  1. Fill the Ziplock bag about halfway with your chosen base (gel, cream, or cornstarch mixture).
  2. Add small toys, beads, or other interesting items that will be fun for your child to feel and explore.
  3. Squeeze out any excess air and seal the bag tightly.
  4. Reinforce the edges with tape to prevent leaks.
  5. Allow your child to explore the textures and shapes inside the bag.

Why It Works:

Sensory bags provide children with a calm and safe way to explore different textures and materials. They are ideal for younger children, especially those who are learning about their senses and how to interact with the world around them.

Homemade Drum Set

Making a drum set at home is a fun, loud, and creative project that can enhance your child's rhythmic skills and interest in music. You can use everyday items to make a full drum set.

How to Make It:

• Materials Needed:

  • Empty cans or plastic containers
  • Wooden spoons or sticks for drumsticks
  • Balloons or rubber bands
  • Tape or glue
  • Markers or paint for decoration

• Steps:

  1. Take several empty cans or containers, making sure the sizes vary to create different sounds.
  2. Cover the open end of each container with a balloon or rubber band to create a drumhead. If using a balloon, simply stretch it over the top of the container.
  3. Use wooden spoons, pencils, or even chopsticks as drumsticks.
  4. Decorate the containers with markers, paint, or stickers to personalize the drum set.
  5. Arrange the containers in a circle or row, and let your child drum away!

Why It Works:

A homemade drum set helps children develop an appreciation for music, rhythm, and sound. It's an easy way to introduce them to basic musical concepts while fostering creative expression.

Conclusion

Creating DIY toys and games for children is a wonderful way to spark their creativity, enhance their learning, and provide fun and enriching activities. From crafting a cardboard playhouse to making sensory bags, the possibilities are endless when it comes to creating toys that cater to your child's interests and developmental needs.

These DIY projects also provide an opportunity to spend quality time with your child, as you build something together that can be enjoyed for months or even years. By using simple materials that you likely already have at home, you can create engaging, educational, and fun toys and games that will entertain and inspire your child. Happy crafting!

View Product