10 Classic Toys you can DIY
I am so excited to bring you this list of DIY classic toys, a guest post from George Schalter. If you love crafting with your child (or grandchild), you’ll really appreciate these!
Crafting Classic Toys with your Kids
While I was growing up, a neighbour used to make toys and give them away, to a bunch of us kids. Over the years we have made a few simple toys for our kids, and the joy is immense. Many of these toys are from a time when families could spare few resources for the kids. Classic toys were simple and generally made from easily available things around the house.
In fact for many kids, the making of the toy was a big part of the fun. Just like other parents, we too have tried a variety of activities for kids, kids’ crafts and even origami for kids. However, the fun our kids have had making these toys is unparalleled. Incidentally, many of these toys have elements of science and engineering, which kids unknowingly learn via building and playing with them.
Menucha has been kind enough to host my first round up, of homemade toys. Thanks!
10 Homemade Classic Toys
- The DIY Water Shooter from Dad’s Childhood Memories by Playtivities
I so wish someone had made this for me when I was a child. It does require a couple of things, which might not be found around urban homes, but they are not difficult to source.
- Easy and Fun Catapult for Kids to Make by kids activities blog
It’s a ‘have craft sticks and rubberbands, will build catapult’ kind of a super simple craft, but the science and fun associated with it is huge.
- Thaumatrope or Mini-movie by Aunt Annie’s Crafts
Very popular in the 1800s, it uses the principle of ‘persistence of vision’. Being an optical toy, this was the foundation on which the modern day industries of movie making and animation are built.
- Dancing Button by wikihow
This was a toy popular among the pioneers, but back then it was called a button whirligig.
- Cup Telephone by Simple Kids Crafts
Kids can experiment by reducing and increasing the length of the yarn and try it around corners.
- Flippy Acrobat Toy Craft by Almost Unschoolers
This one is a fun toy for the whole family. You won’t be able to stop playing it.
- Climbing Butterfly by Arvind Gupta Toys
Amazing toy, made from recycled material, which kids keep returning to.
- How to Make a Spinning Top by wikihow
Spinning tops have existed since antiquity. Common across the world, it’s a toy that kids must try out.
- How to make a Peashooter by An Ordinary Life
This is one toy parents can’t stop playing with. Make many of these and have a mock fight with paper balls.
- Rubberband Boat by Living on the Cheap
It’s wonderful to watch how a simple rubber band can power a boat.
I do hope you try out a few, if not all. Let us know in the comments below of other easy classic toys to try out at home.
Author Bio: George Schalter loves being a dad. He and his wife share the joys and responsibilities of bringing up their two children. As believers of good all round education, they spend a lot of time playing with their children and spending time outdoors. As George is the writer in the family, he blogs at Educational Kids Games.
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Thanks for the mention. This is a great site!