DIY toys are one of my favorite things to make with and for my kids, not only are they wonderful to play with but they are packed with design and engineering challenges for the whole family!
I am slightly obsessed with DIY Toys. There is one simple reason: DIY Toys encourage creative thinking.
I am slightly obsessed with DIY Toys. There is one simple reason: DIY Toys encourage creative thinking.Not only do you end up with something fun to play with at the end of the process, but you learn about design and problem solving as you make them! Many DIY Toys also have an educational component to them since they are often based on scientific principles to give them a “wow” factor, principles like inertia, energy, and gravity. So instead of heading to the store the next time your child asks for a new toy to play with, consider making one of your own. I’ve got 40 ideas for you! See a few highlighted in the video below and the complete list follows.
Flying DIY Toys
1. Paper Helicopters
Easy to make and easy to fly! Kids love make this simple paper toy!
2. Zappy Zoomers
Take your paper airplane making to the next level and make a Zappy Zoomer!
3. Tyvek Kite
Make your own DIY kite out of everyday materials.
Spinning DIY Toys
4. Featured Spinning Toy: Art Spinners
An irresistible top idea with an artful twist!
5. Perler Bead Tops
Learn about angular momentum and color theory with this spinning top.
6. Tiny Dancers
An electronics project you will enjoy watching dance.
7. Kinetic Carousel
Potential and kinetic energy never looked so fun….
8. Paper Tops
What does your brain do with spinning images? Find out with this paper top.
9. Spin-finite Tops
These tops spin FOREVER! Well at least looooong time!
Puzzle DIY Toys
10. Featured Puzzle Toy: Flexicube Blocks
Make a simple DIY Toy that looks very complex!
11. Mosaic Magnets
Make geometric mosaic magnets with magnetic sheets!
12. Constellation Geoboards
For the little space explore in your life! Make a constellation geoboard.
13.Perler Bead Mazes
Design colorful mini mazes using large Perler beads!
14. Flextangles
Coolest.paper.toy.ever. Make this paper toy and be mesmerized by the colorful action!
15. DIY Geoboard
Make the easiest DIY geoboard ever and explore concepts like area and perimeter with kids.
16. Playdough Marble Mazes
From my book STEAM Play & Learn. We used large box lids and play dough to design simple marble mazes!
17. Tetrific
Similar to Mosaic Magnets, this is based on the classic game Tetris! A geometry game your kids will love.
DIY Building Toys
18. Featured DIY Building Toy: Tube Blocks
Easy recycled craft idea: Make DIY blocks out of cardboard tubes!
19.Doodle Cubes
Turn your 2d drawing into 3 dimensions and stackable art blocks!
20. Magnetic Sculptures
Explore magnetism with kids by making magnetic sculptures!
21. Wire Sculptures
Explore the art concepts of line and space with this classic toy idea!
22. Paper Building Blocks
Make building blocks out of paper! Great way to illustrate how shape affects strength.
Outdoor DIY Toys
23. Featured Outdoor DIY Toy: DIY Skip-It
Learn about centripetal force and engineering in this easy to make DIY toy!
24. Bubble Wrap Rug
Turn leftover bubble wrap into a rug for some sensory fun!
25. Pool Noodle Marble Run
A fabulous STEAM challenge for groups: Make a playground sized DIY marble run using pool noodles!
26. Tin Can Stilts
Learn how to make the classic DIY toy: Tin Can Stilts!
Classic Toys
27. Featured Classic Toy: Mini Plunk
Transform a cardboard tube into this easy to make DIY game inspired by the classic Kerplunk.
28. Cup and Ball Game
Make the classic Cup & Ball Game using a few household items!
29. Balance Toy
Make a homemade balance toy and explore the concept of equilibrium.
30. Mini Ball Game
Recreate the classic balance bead game at home.
31. Abacus
Learn how to make and use a simple DIY abacus.
32. Color Wheel Playdough
Learn how to make playdough and explore color theory by creating a rainbow play dough color wheel.
33. Frame Lacers
Frame Lacers are a colorful DIY toy that doubles as a great fine motor skills activity for kids.
34. Newton’s Cradle
From my book STEAM Play & Learn. A wonderful toy that teaches kids about momentum!
35. Balance Hearts
35. A DIY toy that doubles as a STEAM Valentine’s Day activity! Similar to the balance toy above but made out of recycled materials.
36. Rattle Drums
A classic DIY toy/instrument recreated out of recyclables!
Observation Toys
37. Featured DIY Observation Toy: Waterdrop Microscope
Learn how to make a microscope using a few recycled items and a water drop!
38. Discovery Tubes
Explore three different scientific concepts in one colorful DIY toy!
39. Coffee Can Camera Obscura
Learn how to make a DIY Camera Obscura from coffee cans!
40. Mini Open Ended Kaleidoscopes
A simple open ended DIY kaleidoscope you can make at home.
41. Thaumatropes
Make a simple optical illusion toy and trick your eye! Fun paper craft for kids.
Miniature DIY Toys
42. Featured Miniature DIY Toy Idea: GIANT Small World
Make a GIANT small world in your backyard for hours of creativity and play.
43. Pieces Dolls
Learn how to make a doll with a craft stick and some fabric scraps.
44. Paper Houses
PAPER HOUSES you can print, cut, and decorate!
45. Cardboard City
Save cardboard boxes and collaborate with your kids on a cardboard city. Add Hot Wheels cars and figurines for a complete city.
46. Mutant Toys
Make your own MUTANT TOYS from leftover toy parts!
These toys are so creative Ana! I think the geoboards are a really neat idea.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Emmy,
Thanks so much!