Kids toys can really cost you a bundle, especially since they outgrow them so quickly. Luckily, there are numerous toys that you don’t have to purchase from a store. As a matter of fact, there are so many cool things you can build for your child or even help your child build that will certainly make them forget all about the things they find in stores. These ten toys are great little projects for just about any parent and can help your child feel even closer to you. Best of all, in most cases, you won’t have to worry about spending a ton of money on these projects as you can easily make them with items you find around the house. With a little DIY and some love, you’ll find your kid’s new favorite toys are the ones you made with your own two hands.
1. Dollhouse
A dollhouse is probably one of the most iconic toys for many children. A dollhouse can be one of the cheapest toys to make too because you can use a wide variety of things to make it. If you’re on a low budget, you can even start a dollhouse out of a simple cardboard box. You can even make furniture out of other recyclables, which will help make the dollhouse even more special. If you want to put some money into the project, then you can easily transform old furniture into a dollhouse or you might want to pick up some scrap wood and build it from scratch. If you’re not great at building things on your own, there are dollhouse kits you can purchase. These are a bit on the pricier side, but you get to follow the step by step instructions which will make your life easier. The dollhouses also have furniture you can purchase and make.
2. Toy Kitchen
Most young kids love playing in the kitchen. There are already kitchen sets that you can easily buy for your children, but they tend to be a lot more expensive than you would expect them to be. Luckily, you can whip up a cute kitchen that is right up your child’s alley in no time. If you have a lot of cardboard boxes lying around, then this is a great start. With some colored paper and markers, you can turn these items into an oven, stove, and refrigerator. Of course, if you’re looking for something more durable then you might plan to build the kitchen out of a piece of old furniture. There are lots of tutorials and ideas online to help you out with this. You can even print out pictures of food to help save one that expenditure too.
3. Dolls
There are so many different dolls to choose from, which makes it very easy for you to make a good selection of dolls for your children. One of the easiest dolls to make is paper dolls. You can do this with origami, or you can print out the dolls as well as some fashionable clothes for them. Dolls, especially those for young children, are very easy to make out of socks too. These are great items to cuddle with it, but many children hold onto them for keepsakes for quite some time. Another fun way to make dolls with kids is to make felt dolls. These are popular in Japan and allow you to use felt to piece together cute dolls.
4. Puzzles
Kids can’t get enough of puzzles, but if you purchase them from stores you’re more than likely going to have to deal with missing pieces and so much more. Luckily, it doesn’t take much to make a puzzle. If you’re working with a younger child, then you might cut and sand some pieces of wood into the shapes you want. Then, you can paint them to form simple images that children will love to work with. The puzzles don’t even have to be in special shapes for toddlers, as you can keep it simple with just painted blocks. Older kids are a bit trickier though, but if you have a printer you’ll be in good hands. All you need is to find a puzzle online, or simply use an image and run it through a puzzle app. Then, print the image and place it on a piece of cardboard. From there, use an Exacto knife to cut out the pieces. This is incredibly cheap and won’t leave you bummed out when half of the pieces disappear.
5. Playdough
Without a doubt, playdough is probably one of the most common toys you spend money on. Of course, this toy is often left to dry out or mixes with other colors to form an unrecognizable mess. After you toss out container after container, you might find that you’re sick of wasting plastic and money on the brand name dough. Luckily, you can actually make your own playdough at home. This is as easy as mixing salt, flour, and water and then placing it in an airtight container. You can even use your old playdough containers to hold it. This playdough gives you the freedom to make almost any color you’d like too, which will definitely come in handy. You can even add glitter, sequences and more to suit your child’s tastes.
6. Kite
Kites are a timeless toy that is a great way to get kids to enjoy the great outdoors. Apart from being lots of fun, the autumn and spring weather is the perfect time to craft them and fly them. Simply choose a rainy day to start the craft and kids will be occupied for a little while. Then, on a windy day, take them and let them fly. There are numerous ways to make kites too, so you can always experiment to see which works best for you. The fun part is letting the kids decorate as it will make them feel more connected with their toys, so they will appreciate them more and learn that there is more value in hard work than just going to a store and purchasing something.
7. Chalkboard
Kids love to draw and a chalkboard is one of the best places for them to channel their creativity without destroying the house. Large chalkboards can be pretty pricey though, which might make you think twice about buying one. However, if you purchase a can of chalkboard paint, you’re good to go. You can make a chalkboard out of just about anything, including a wall. If you don’t want to paint on walls or furniture, then you might consider purchasing a board and painting that to keep the kids happy. Apart from that, you can always go even cheaper and have the kids just draw on the sidewalk, which can be just as much fun and can give them plenty of space to enjoy themselves.
8. Musical instruments
Music is one of the most stimulating things for children. So, let them explore their creativity with some music instruments of their own. One of the best ways to fulfill this need is to give them some pots and pans and let them have some fun. Pots and pans make great drums and can keep your child busy for hours, as long as you can handle the noise. You can also create your own instruments. For instance, a paper towel roll filled with rice or beans can make great noisemakers that kids will love. You can also make your own drums, guitar and so much more. If you’re at a loss for ideas, there are so many sites dedicated to children and music that you’ll find more than what you need.
9. Sensory Board
Toddlers are always learning and growing with their environment. If you’re having trouble keeping a little one busy, then you might want to make them a sensory board. This board can be made out of just about anything too. The goal is to add items that use textures or make noises. For instance, a chain lock will bring lots of curiosity to eager minds. You can also add doorknobs, bicycle bells, things that crinkle and so much more. If you make the board adjustable then you can swap out items frequently to keep the board fresh and new. This should help keep your growing mind busy without getting into trouble.
10. Dress Up Toys
Dress up is an important way for kids to broaden their minds and improve their creativity. Dressing up to be a wide variety of characters help children have fun while learning more about themselves. One way to help them have fun is to provide them with items that will make them feel more the part. For instance, if you make capes then children can feel like superheroes in their element. You can even customize the cape to suit their specific needs. There are tons of designs that you can sew and allow kids to wear. Of course, you might also throw in old Halloween costumes to add to the mix. If you can, find Halloween costumes on clearance too, which can add to the collection. You can always alter them to make them into new pieces or help them suit your child’s growing needs.
Helping children grow and learn is one of the best aspects of parenting. This doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune on your children though. There are tons of toys you can make that will save you money while allowing to help your child get the most out of childhood.
