10 DIY Handmade Toys for Toddlers

1. DIY Cardboard Tube Construction Handmade toy:

This DIY cardboard tube Construction toy by Kate from Picklebums is simply AWESOME. There is no other word for it. Because we love Construction toys so much, this one has made it to the top of our “Handmade toys” list.

The best part is that the kids can paint and make this construction toy during craft time, and then keep building innovative things with it EVERYDAY!

View details: DIY cardboard tube construction toy
Source: www.picklebums.com

2. DIY Parachutes (and the science behind how they work):

This “DIY parachute activity” by Deceptively educational cannot strictly be filed under the heading of “handmade toys”, but because it is something absolutely fun to create and fascinating to play with, we will include it in our list anyways.

Because what toddler does not like to throw things??!
And that too, from the roof of your house!!

View details: DIY parachutes and the science behind how they work
Source: deceptivelyeducational.blogspotcom

3. How to make a Kaleidoscope for kids:

For a few weeks now, I was toying around with the idea of making a Kaleidoscope for my daughter.

I was thinking along the lines of Empty paper towel roll and some plastic sheets, but I must admit; this Kaleidoscope idea by Little Bins for little hands made of an empty box of Pringles beats any other idea.

This is one of those handmade toys that is pretty easy to make, and extremely fun to experiment with.

View details: How to make a Kaleidoscope for kids
Source: littlebinsforlittlehands.com

4. DIY Handmade Binoculars for Pretend Play:

My daughter loves that rhyme called “Going on a Lion hunt”. There are many versions of it, like “going on a bear hunt” and others. They have one thing in common though; they all have binoculars.

So we decided to make these very simple binoculars at home.

You will Need:

Empty paper towel roll/ 2 toilet paper rolls
Decorative paper
Glue/ Tape
Baker’s twine (aka jute rope)

How to make:

If you are using an empty paper towel roll, cut them in 2 halves. However, if you are using 2 toilet paper tubes, then ignore this step.
Cover the cardboard tubes with decorative sheets.
Join the two tubes using tape/ glue.
Punch holes in the sides and attach baker’s twine, so the kids can hang it around their necks.
Pretend to go on a safari, lion hunt, bear hunt, or whatever else you would love to do.

5. DIY Felt Color matching game:

This DIY Felt Color matching game is inspired by a “Color Twister” game. It looks like a mini version of twister, and when the toddlers will be done matching the colors, it will look like tangled and overlapping Bridges.

The idea is pretty simple. First, you need to make a grid of colors where you have 2 circles for every color.

The concept is, to use felt strips to make a bridge between two colors to match them. This is done by attaching one end of the felt strip permanently while using the other end to match.

View details: Felt Color matching Game
Source: alifyasinspirations.com

6. DIY Homemade Stamp for Kids:

Stamps have a certain charm. And what is better if your toddlers can make it themselves. In this post by Happy Hooligans, many creative extras around the house have been used to create stampers that serve as handmade toys.

Let your children make these during craft time, and use them later with a lot of different mediums like paint, ink etc.

View details: 6 Ways to make Homemade stamps
Source: happyhooligans.ca

7. Cloud Playdough

There is quite a debate about whether to call Play dough as a toy. But toy or not, it is oh-so-important a kid’s activity, and has saved me so many headaches that I absolutely had to include this one in the list.

The beauty of Play dough is that the kids enjoy making it as much as playing with it (though I secretly believe that they enjoy making it just a tad more…!). This recipe by Woojr is pretty great. I tried it myself and the Play dough turned out really soft and smelled awesome!

Whether you believe I should have added this to my handmade toys list or not, trust me, you and your kids will enjoy it very much!

View details: Cloud Play dough Recipe
Source: www.woojr.com

8. Make a Road Rug:

I love the concept of Play mats. They tend to encourage imagination and story building capabilities in a child.

Especially great for young children who want to explore their creativity through imaginative play. I really like this one by “How does she” because your little ones can help you make this and then they get a base to create thousands of pretend play stories every day!

This is one of those handmade toys that you will never want to throw away!

View details: DIY Road Rug
Source: howdoesshe.com

9. LEGO & Sharpie Puzzles:

Forget boring old cardboard puzzles. Make simple pictures on LEGO Blocks with sharpie, and let your kids help color the puzzles. Make them as simple or as complicated as you like.

Keep changing the designs when your kids get bored. Yes, its that SIMPLE!

View details: LEGO & Sharpie Puzzles
Source: alifyasinspirations.com