How To Make Toys Recycled Materials And Common Household Items?

Creating toys from recycled materials and common household items is a fantastic way to encourage creativity, reduce waste, and provide entertainment for children. For children, toys often find themselves quickly discarded, contributing to the growing waste problem in landfills that take hundreds of years to decompose. Instead of succumbing to your child’s next tantrum and buying yet another disposable toy, why not engage them in a rewarding and eco-friendly activity? By making toys together using recycled materials, you can have fun, save money, teach your child about sustainability, and help protect the environment.

When making recycled children’s toys, you can always use items that are safe and non-toxic for children or pets, taking into consideration their age, abilities, and likely behavior. Apart from that caution, you are free to roam reinvent many items, whether made from paper, cardboard, plastic, or wood, there is bound to be something you can invent.

Here are some ideas and steps for making DIY toys:

1. Gather Materials:

• Start by collecting various materials from your recycling bin or around your house. Some common items you can use include cardboard boxes, plastic bottles, old magazines, fabric scraps, buttons, and empty paper towel rolls.

2. Plan Your Toy:

• Think about the type of toy you want to create. It could be a simple puzzle, a stuffed animal, a game, or even a musical instrument. Consider the age of the child who will play with the toy and their interests.

3. Safety First:

• Ensure that the materials you use are safe and free from sharp edges or potential choking hazards. Make sure any small items, like buttons, are securely attached.

4. Get Creative:

• Let your imagination run wild. Think about how you can transform the materials you’ve collected into something fun and engaging. For instance, you could turn a cardboard box into a mini-dollhouse, a plastic bottle into a kaleidoscope, or fabric scraps into a sock puppet.

5. DIY Puzzle:

• Create a simple puzzle by drawing a picture on a piece of cardboard and cutting it into pieces. Jigsaw puzzles are great for developing problem-solving skills.

6. Stuffed Animals:

• Sew together fabric scraps to make stuffed animals. You can use buttons for eyes and felt for details. If you don’t know how to sew, try a no-sew approach using fabric glue.

7. Cardboard Creations:

• Cardboard can be used for a multitude of projects. You can build a dollhouse, a spaceship, or a robot from cardboard boxes. Paint and decorate the cardboard to make it more visually appealing. Cardboard dollhouses are the best because the owner of this wonder can decorate it in any way that she or he likes. You could involve the child in making the dollhouse from the beginning, present the dollhouse when built but in need of decorating, or go the whole way and give a completely finished dollhouse. 

8. Musical Instruments:

• Create simple musical instruments like shakers or drums using empty containers, beans, and paper. Kids can enjoy making music while learning about rhythm and sound.

9. Board Games:

• Design board games using cardboard, colored paper, and markers. Make your own rules and game pieces for a fun, customized experience.

10. Building Blocks:

• Use cardboard or wooden blocks from old packaging to create building blocks. Children can use these to construct their own structures.

11. Science Experiments:

• Engage in fun and educational experiments using everyday household items. Create volcanoes using baking soda and vinegar or make a simple lava lamp with oil and water.

12. Decorate and Personalize:

• Encourage your child to decorate their creations with paint, markers, stickers, or other craft supplies. Personalization adds a sense of ownership and pride in their work.

13. Share the Experience:

• Making toys from recycled materials is not only a creative endeavor but also an opportunity to teach kids about the importance of recycling and repurposing.

14. Supervision:

• Depending on the age of the child, some projects may require adult supervision, especially when using tools like scissors or glue guns.

How To Make Children’s Toy

1. Soft toys from old clothing

Turn old clothes and scrap fabric into soft toys for the baby. Here are some possibilities for you to try:

• Sew a simple cat doll from scrap fabric.
• Cut up old clothing and turn the fabric into a stuffed animal.
• Make a sock monkey from lost socks
• Make rag dolls from… rags! You can also make a costume for the rag doll from scrap fabric.

Make baby toys from soft old clothes or scrap fabric. For example, you could sew an Amish puzzle ball, sew a cloth baseball, or make a stackable cloth baby toy.

2. Toys from bottles

Make a transport vehicle from old plastic bottles. Bottles can be turned into cars, trucks, rockets, and more. For some bottle projects, try making a toy truck from plastic bottles, a toy car from a bottle, a water bottle-powered car, or a bottle rocket.

How to make it?

Clean an empty plastic water bottle and remove the label. Soak the bottle in warm water and dish soap for 10 minutes to loosen the label. Pull off the label with your fingers and give the bottle a good scrub to remove any glue residue. You can use any plastic bottle you have on hand. A water or soda bottle works great, but you could also use an empty hand sanitizer bottle, or whatever you have within easy reach.

3. Toy trucks from plastic bottles

One of the best creative ideas is to make trucks using plastic bottles and bottle caps. Specifically, you’ll want to use bottles that are commonly used for detergent, soaps, softeners, and similar products. These bottles have a handle that can serve as a window, but with the help of a utility knife, you can also create additional openings. To create the wheels for the truck, you can repurpose the bottle caps and attach them using glue.

To add a personal touch, feel free to decorate the truck using adhesive tape or permanent markers. You can also paint them to transform them into various types of vehicles like an ambulance, fire truck, or even a pizza delivery van. The possibilities for customization are endless! This creative project not only helps you repurpose plastic bottles and caps that would otherwise end up in a landfill, but it also provides an engaging activity for you and your child to enjoy together. Get ready to unleash your imagination and create your very own fleet of unique trucks!

If you have more plastic bottles lying around, do not miss this other article, in which we provide more ideas to make crafts with plastic bottles.

4. Stone domino

Another wonderful option is to create traditional games like dominoes using waste materials. Instead of relying on recycled materials, this particular project calls for flat stones of medium size, such as those commonly found along riverbanks or beaches.

To make a complete set of dominoes, you’ll need 28 stones that are roughly the same size. Once you have gathered these stones, paint them with the corresponding numberings, ranging from the double blank to double six, to complete the set.

By repurposing natural stones, you not only breathe new life into discarded materials but also create a unique and environmentally friendly version of the classic domino game. Get ready to enjoy hours of entertainment with your homemade set of stone dominoes!

5. Cardboard parking lot

Get ready to ignite your child’s imagination with a captivating toy that can be crafted using recycled materials—a multi-story parking lot that guarantees hours of fun for children and their toy cars. What is the best part? You only need a few simple materials: foldable cardboard (like the kind used for boxes), paint, and a paintbrush.

1. Begin by marking the path that the toy cars will follow on the cardboard.
   
2. Create cuts in the ramp areas that will connect the upper and lower floors.
   
3. Join the cardboard platforms together to form the ascending and descending pathways through which the toy vehicles will travel.
   
4. For added creativity, consider placing the cardboard platforms on stairs and connecting each step with ramps.

By repurposing cardboard and using a little imagination, you can create a custom multi-story parking lot that will provide hours of entertainment. Let the little ones’ imaginations run wild as they explore the different levels and pathways with their beloved toy cars!

6. Snake with corks

Don’t let those discarded cork bottle tops go to waste! They can be transformed into a delightful snake toy that’s sure to bring joy. At OneHOWTO, we’re excited to share this fun and eco-friendly craft idea with you. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Cork bottle tops
• String
• Knife
• Needle or sharp object

Here is what you need to do:

1. Begin by cutting all the cork bottle tops into equal sizes.
   
2. Use a needle or a sharp object to make a hole in the middle of each cork, creating a space to thread the string through.
   
3. Thread the corks onto the string, connecting them to form the snake’s body. You can make the snake as long as you like!
   
4. Once all the corks are in place, tie a knot at the end of the string to serve as a stopper, ensuring the snake doesn’t come apart.
   
5. Finally, unleash your creativity by using a pen or paint to bring the snake to life, adding a face and any other details you desire.

By reimagining cork bottle tops, you not only reduce waste but also create a playful and personalized toy. Enjoy the process of crafting your very own cork snake, a unique and eco-friendly addition to your child’s toy collection.

7. Toilet paper roll bats

Toilet paper roll toys are not only perfect for baby playtime, but also for creating quick decorations, especially for Halloween. They are incredibly versatile, as a cardboard cylinder can be transformed into hundreds of different animals and characters with just a little imagination. You will need:

• Toilet paper roll
• Paints
• Cardboard
• Googly eye stickers (optional)

Here is what you need to do:

1. Begin by painting the toilet paper roll with acrylic paint or a similar type of paint. Choose colors that suit the character or animal you have in mind.
   
2. While the paint is drying, take some colored cardboard or paper and draw the facial features of your toy, such as eyes, nose, mouth, ears, or wings.
   
3. Cut out the features you’ve drawn and wait for the paint on the toilet paper roll to dry completely.
   
4. Once the paint is dry, use glue to attach the cardboard features to the toilet paper roll. Allow the glue to dry fully.
   
5. For an extra touch of fun, you can stick googly eye stickers onto the toy. This will give it a cool and animated look!

With just a few simple steps and some basic materials, you can transform a humble toilet paper roll into a delightful toy or decoration. Let your creativity run wild as you bring your cardboard cylinder to life!

8. Can phone

Experience a timeless classic and create a simple toy using recycled materials. All you need are two tin cans and a piece of string to make your own homemade tin can telephone.

Here is what you need to do:

1. Begin by making a small hole in the base of each tin can, ensuring it is just large enough for the string to pass through.
   
2. Thread the piece of string through the holes of both cans and tie a secure knot from the inside of each can.
   
3. To optimize the functionality of the telephone, pull the string taut, creating tension between the cans.

Enjoy the excitement of communication as you can easily explore the wonders of sound transmission with your homemade tin can telephone. This easy and eco-friendly craft is perfect for both children and adults. Get ready to easily connect and have fun with this classic recycled toy!

9. Egg box insects

Don’t overlook those empty egg boxes lying around at home—they can be transformed into fantastic creepy crawlies! Egg boxes are not only a common waste material but also a safe and versatile medium for crafting. They can serve as paint palettes or be repurposed to create a variety of insect-inspired creations. You will need:

• 1 egg box
• Colors (paint or markers)
• Googly eyes
• String
• Scissors

Steps

1. Begin by cutting out each individual cup from the egg box.
   
2. Choose the insect you want to create and paint the egg box cups accordingly. For example, paint them green for a caterpillar or use different colors for other insects.
   
3. Near the top of each cup, create holes and turn the cups upside down so that the base is facing upward.
   
4. Thread a piece of string through the holes of each cup, attaching them together. For a caterpillar, you’ll need several cups joined together.
   
5. Attach googly eyes to the cups to give your caterpillar or other insect a charming and playful appearance.
   
6. If your insect has legs, you can also use felt sticks to create them, attaching them to the cups.

With a bit of creativity and a few simple materials, you can transform an egg box into a captivating collection of creepy crawlies. From caterpillars to beetles and beyond, let your imagination take flight as you breathe new life into this everyday waste material. Enjoy the process and watch your egg box insects come to life!

Tips:

• When deciding what to do with an object, consider the size, color, and shape of the object. Would it work better as a toy boat, a toy dog, or something else?
• Build on existing objects to make a toy by adding other objects that seem right for the toy. Keep playing around with the design until it “works”.
• Always give the toy a test run, to check that it works well and won’t disappoint the child.
• Play with or display the object yourself, sell it, donate it, or give it to a child, friend, or pet.

FAQ:

What materials are used to make a toy?

Different materials like wood, clay, paper, and plastic are used to make toys. Newer forms of toys include interactive digital entertainment and smart toys. Some toys are produced primarily as collectors’ items and are intended for display only.

How can I use household items as toys?

Banging on pots and pans with a wooden spoon can help teach your toddler. Laundry baskets can be used to throw rolled-up socks or have your child use their imagination to sit inside and drive a car or steer a boat. Old blankets, sheets, and towels are great for building an indoor or outdoor fort.

What is the best material for toys?

Compared with plastic, silicone is also the most durable option. It can withstand high heat, freezing cold, and immense pressure, making it a robust choice for child’s play! Parents like plastic because it’s easy to keep clean, but so is silicone!

How to make simple toys at home?

10 Easy DIY Toys to Make at Home

1. DIY Clay Tic Tac Toe
2. Cardboard Shape Puzzle
3. Felt Dinosaur Plushie
4. Pretend Play Food
5. Cardboard Stackers
6. Wooden Peg Dolls
7. Printable Farm Puppets
8. Cardboard Marble Maze
9. Bee and Flower Game
10. Mini Camping Set

Remember, the possibilities are endless when it comes to creating toys from recycled materials. It’s an eco-friendly way to foster creativity and can provide hours of entertainment for children while teaching them the value of recycling and repurposing.