DIY toy ideas for kids to make from simple materials like paper, recyclables and glue
Make a spinning top DIY toy from a plastic milk bottle lid and a toothpick. This is a fun recycling craft that becomes a toy for play. This craft idea was first published in 2013 and has been updated and reshared for today’s audience. You might also like these 40 fun recycling crafts I was…
Make a pair of paper roll dinosaurs as a fun upcycling and DIY toy craft idea. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to make both a diplodocus and a triceratops using our free printable template. This craft was first published in 2015 and has been updated and reshared for today’s audience. You might also…
Make a paper roll firefly craft that lights up in the dark, just like a real one! There is a shape template available for download. You might also like these Summer crafts and activities for kids Last week I shared a light-up firefly art project, picturing fireflies dotting the twilight sky like stars. You know…
Make a simple DIY shoe lacing card using a scrap piece of recycled cardboard. This is a fun way for kids to learn to tie their own shoelaces! This craft was first published in 2016 and has been updated and reshared for today’s audience. We forget, as adults, how hard it is to learn to…
Here’s a fun and easy peg or clothespin bee craft you can make with a few basic craft materials and 15 minutes of your time. We love how our bees turned out, and they are so quick and easy to make! We have even included a free printable template for the wings. You might also…
Make a dinosaur small world in a suitcase! This craft has been designed as a DIY toy for an adult to make for a child, although older kids could make a version of it too. The finished dinosaur small world makes a cool handmade gift idea that is perfect for dinosaur-loving kids. Putting the small…
Here is a simple bee craft idea perfect for preschoolers though to grade school aged kids – a paper plate rocking bee. To make the bee “rock” simply press on it’s back. Buzz Buzz! Bees are a humble and hardworking insect, but the word “bee” often strikes fear into the hearts of people because of…
This printable tulip spinner craft is a pretty cool DIY toy, but that’s not all. It’s also a hands-on way for kids to learn about primary colours and colour-mixing. Make it for a Spring craft project with a STEM element thrown in. Get the spinner craft template here Spinning tops are such old-school fun, right?…
Fun Christmas playdough idea! This Christmas pudding playdough smells like real Christmas pudding – sweet and spicy. It’s a fun, tactile Christmas sensory play idea that will keep preschoolers busy and engaged in creative play. They can even help to make it. This easy playdough recipe was originally published in 2014 and has been updated…