Home Made Toys-Have You Ever Tried Making One?

Homemade toys are becoming increasingly popular with today's parents, especially in light of recent toy recalls from so many major brands. Home made toy cars, dollhouses, and other toys are treasured by children around the world. What are some ideas for home made toys? Why are home made toys necessary?

How many times is this scenario repeated - loving parents go out and buy the latest, greatest toy for their toddler. They carefully wrap it and place it under the Christmas tree. On Christmas morning, the excited baby rips the paper off the package, delightfully squeals, and mom and dad quickly take the toy out. While they are assembling the toy, the baby is finding the box it came in quite entertaining. When the toy is finished, the child is so engrossed in the box that they want nothing to do with the toy. Are expensive baby toys really necessary? Why can't parents just make their own baby toys?

Features of Homemade Toys

Home made toys are always unique when they are finished. One of the treats of a home made toy is that the toy maker often never finishes with their toy project. As the designer thinks of new ideas, they constantly fiddle with and reshape their toy. But this constant fiddling does not keep the baby from enjoying the toy in the meantime!

Home made toys can be amazingly intricate or surprisingly simple. Some parents make home made toys out of simple recyclable materials. Others spend many hours creating stunning masterpieces out of expensive materials. The love and attention that goes into a home made toy is part of what makes it so special.

Types of Home Made Toys

With home made toys the sky is the limit as far as what you can build. You are only limited by your imagination! Here are some ideas for home made toys.

• Prop box - A prop box is a box with a variety of themed dress-up items inside. An idea for a prop box is a doctor box. Items are placed inside the box that the baby can use to play doctor
• Scoop ball - Make a scoop by cutting out the non-handle portion of a milk jug. Use the scoop to catch a ball.
• Model airplane - Make a model plane out of Styrofoam meat trays. Simply cut the shapes for the plane's parts and assemble!
• Puzzles - Make puzzles out of your baby's artwork. Glue the art to some heavy cardboard and cut it into puzzle pieces using hand knife.
• Cars and trucks - Home made toy cars can be made out of cardboard boxes. Babies can get inside these cars and pretend to drive around the room! Use paper plates for tires and a steering wheel.
• Games - A simple home made wooden toy game is stacking. Toddlers love to stack things and then knock them over. Use some small pieces of wood to create your own wooden stacking game.
• Bird toys - Home made bird toys are a great idea for teaching your baby to interact with nature. Bird houses and feeders can be made out of empty juice cartons and other common household items. Your toddler will enjoy watching the birds come and go!
• Cubby houses - Just about anything can be made into a small shelter, whether it be sheets, boxes, or couch cushions. Cubby houses provide toddlers with a place that is all their own!

Whatever toy you decide to make, be sure to involve your baby in the construction. This will not only make a great toy, but a lasting memory as well. Home made children toys allow an outlet for your creativity!

Guide for Making Home Made Prop Box

Prop boxes are great toys for toddlers. They encourage imagination and interaction. Consider making a doctor prop box. Here is a list of items you will need:

• Cardboard box
• Clean white cloth
• Medicine dropper
• Rubber hammer
• Toy stethoscope
• Large black bag
• Red nail polish

Of course, you can include any other doctor's supplies you can think of. Decorate the outside of your cardboard box. Perhaps paint it black to look like a medical bag. Cut the white cloth into strips for bandages. Put some red nail polish on the bandages to give them a "used" look. Fill the box with the other doctor's items. Use some of the white cloth to create a robe that will look like a doctor's coat. Allow your child to play doctor while you play patient!

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