These are very simple and quick to make but children love them.
To make these ones I used 330ml mini coke bottles but you can use any small plastic bottles, ideally clear in colour so you can see what is inside. Just consider the size of the bottles to make sure that your child can lift them. You can put almost anything in them. Children can shake them to make noise, roll them along the floor, put them in their mouth and look at the interesting things inside. I made 6 to start with containing
- blue coloured water with 2 x 5cent peices
- rice and glitter
- red coloured water
- pasta with stars/glitter
- bells
- glitter
To make
- clean your bottle well and dry
- place items of your choice inside
- glue (with non toxic glue) the lid on - this is important.
Children can use them as soon as the glue is dry.
Consider putting things inside that sound interesting when the bottle is shaken, look interesting and are not too heavy so the child can easily lift them.
These can be used with children at a matter of months old. They can be quite challenging before children can use 2 hands to lift things but are great to help them develop this skill. My son was most interested in them between about 6-9months old.
Store bought toys generally go through safety testing so when you make things at home you need to make sure that you safety test them yourself.
Some things to consider
- make sure there is no part to small that could be easily swallowed or choked on.
- ensure any strings or ties could not get caught around a babies neck causing a strangulation hazard.
- if using paints or glues make sure they are non toxic.
- always monitor the condition of the toys and remove them from use immediately if you have any doubt about their safety.
- use your own common sense and motherly/fatherly practises. I am not a safety expert so make these toys with your own judgement.
Hello, I've started this blog because I have been making a number of toys at home for my baby, as friends have come over and seen them a number have commented about the ideas and how they will be heading home to make the same thing. I thought others might be interested too so have started this blog to help people out there come up with ideas for easy, cheap toys that will entertain young ones for hours.
I am currently a stay at home mum but will be returning to work in the early childhood industry soon and started my career as a qualified childcare worker so many of the toys I am making are ones that I have seen work in childcare settings.
Making your own toys at home is a great way to recycle materials and teach children that you can get entertainment from things that don't come from a box. I am sure many parents will have experienced buying your child some toy you think they will love only to find out they are more interested in the box it came in.
Please feel free to let me know how the ideas work for you or send me ideas of things you have tried at home.
Caz
