Making baby toys at home can be a fun, creative, and cost-effective way to engage your little one with safe and personalized playthings. Homemade toys allow you to control the materials used, ensuring they are non-toxic and baby-friendly.
Additionally, crafting toys can be a rewarding activity for parents and caregivers, adding a personal touch to your child’s early learning and development. With a little effort and creativity, you can create unique toys that cater to your baby’s interests and developmental needs. This guide will walk you through how to make baby toys at home effectively and with minimal effort.
Safety Guidelines Before You Start
When creating homemade toys for your baby, safety should always be the top priority. Here are some essential guidelines to follow:
- Use Non-Toxic Materials
Ensure all materials, including paints, adhesives, and fabrics, are non-toxic and safe for babies, as they often explore toys by mouthing them.
- Avoid Small or Detachable Parts
Steer clear of small components or loose items that could pose a choking hazard. Secure all parts firmly and double-check their durability.
- Check for Sharp Edges or Points
Smooth out any rough edges, splinters, or sharp points on the toy to prevent cuts or scrapes during playtime.
- Select Age-Appropriate Designs
Design the toys keeping your baby’s age and developmental stage in mind, ensuring they provide stimulation without being overwhelming or unsafe.
- Regularly Inspect for Wear and Tear
Frequently examine homemade toys for signs of damage, such as loose parts or worn-out materials, and repair or replace them as needed.
By following these safety precautions, you can create delightful and secure toys that nurture your baby’s development while offering peace of mind.
Basic Supplies You Might Need
When creating homemade toys, having the right supplies is essential. Here are some common materials you might consider using:
- Fabric and Felt
Soft, durable fabrics or felt can be used for creating plush toys, sensory items, or simple shapes. Ensure the materials are non-toxic and washable.
- Wood
Natural, untreated wood is excellent for making sturdy and safe toys like blocks, puzzles, and simple figurines.
- Paints and Markers
Use non-toxic, child-safe paints and markers to add color and design to your creations.
- Yarn and Ribbon
These can be used to weave, tie, or decorate toys. Always ensure there are no loose strings that could pose a choking hazard.
- Recyclable Materials
Items like cardboard, bottle caps, and plastic containers can be repurposed into creative and fun toys.
- Glue and Fasteners
Use child-safe glue or sturdy fasteners to assemble your toys securely.
With these basic supplies, you can start crafting toys that are both creative and safe for your little one.
10 Methods How to Make Baby Toys at Home
1. Create a Sensory Bottle Using Recycled Plastic
One of the simplest and most captivating baby toys you can make at home is a sensory bottle. Take a clean, empty plastic bottle with a secure cap; water or soda bottles work well. Fill it halfway with water and add various safe materials like colorful beads, glitter, tiny buttons, pom-poms, or even vegetable oil to slow the movement.
Seal the cap tightly using superglue or strong tape to ensure it doesn’t come loose. This toy stimulates visual tracking and engages a baby’s curiosity through motion and color. It’s also a soothing activity for tummy time or car rides. You can vary the contents for new experiences; some bottles can be noisy with beans or rice, while others are quiet and visually calming.
2. Sew Soft Fabric Blocks for Tactile Play
Soft blocks are fantastic for babies learning to grasp, stack, and explore textures. You can make these easily by cutting squares of soft fabric like cotton, felt, or flannel—mixing patterns and textures enhances sensory interest.
Stitch together six squares to form a cube, leaving one edge open. Stuff it with polyester fiberfill or pieces of sponge for a lightweight shape, then sew it closed securely. For added stimulation, you can place a small bell or crinkly plastic inside. These blocks are perfect for gentle throwing, squeezing, and mouthing, and they’re washable for hygiene. Avoid buttons or small decorations that might pose choking risks.
3. Construct a DIY Crinkle Toy Using Fabric and Plastic
Babies love crinkly sounds; it stimulates their auditory senses and sparks curiosity. To make a homemade crinkle toy, cut two equal-sized pieces of fabric and place a layer of clean, crinkly plastic (like a chip bag or cereal liner) between them. Sew around the edges, leaving a gap to turn it right side out. Once turned, sew the gap shut securely. Choose high-contrast colors or black-and-white prints for younger babies, as these are easier for them to see. The satisfying sound encourages grasping and strengthens fine motor skills. Make sure the seams are tight so no plastic can escape, and avoid using sharp or brittle wrappers.
4. Create a No-Sew Ribbon Pull Toy from a Wipe Container
An empty baby wipe container can become an exciting peek-a-boo ribbon toy. Clean and dry the container, then fill it with colorful lengths of ribbon, fabric strips, or old neckties tied end-to-end. Leave one end poking out of the top. Babies can pull and explore the continuous fabric, which helps develop hand-eye coordination and strengthens their grip.
The pulling motion also provides a sense of surprise and satisfaction. For safety, use ribbons at least one inch wide and 12 inches long, and secure all knots firmly. This toy is a fun, engaging way to reuse everyday baby product packaging.
5. Craft a Muffin Tin Sorting Toy for Crawlers
Repurpose a muffin tin to create an interactive toy for older babies who are sitting or crawling. Take a 6- or 12-cup muffin tin and place different objects in each cup—think soft balls, large wooden blocks, or big pompoms. Cover each cup with colorful fabric scraps or silicone baking cups so your baby can lift and discover what’s inside. This encourages problem-solving and helps teach cause and effect. You can also vary textures and materials to keep it fresh and engaging. Ensure all items are large enough to avoid choking hazards and supervise play at all times.
6. Make a Homemade Tag Blanket for Soothing and Exploration
Tag blankets are simple yet effective toys for infants who enjoy tugging and chewing. Start with two squares of soft fabric—one fleece and one cotton are ideal. Cut several short ribbon strips and fold them in half, then pin them between the two fabrics, with the loops facing inward. Sew around the edge, leaving a small opening.
Turn it inside out so the ribbons stick out like tags, then topstitch the edge to close the gap and reinforce the toy. Babies love exploring the different textures and practicing grasping. Use baby-safe ribbons with no fraying edges and double-stitch for security.
7. Design a Felt Storyboard for Early Visual Development
Cut out simple shapes, stars, animals, and fruits from colored felt and attach Velcro to their backs. Place a large felt sheet on a cardboard base or foam board. Babies can stick and peel the shapes, building a basic understanding of images and symbols. This toy is more suitable for babies around 9 months and older who are developing fine motor skills and starting to recognize pictures. It also provides opportunities for you to talk and name each object, supporting early language development. Felt boards are light and portable, ideal for playtime on the go or quiet play at home.
8. Turn Socks into Soft Rattles for Wrist or Foot Play
Socks can be turned into adorable, wearable rattles that encourage your baby to kick and wave. Take a clean baby sock and insert a small bell or rattle wrapped securely in padding. Seal it tightly with stitching. Slip the sock onto your baby’s wrist or ankle. As they move, the gentle sound teaches them cause and effect. This activity promotes body awareness and helps babies associate movement with sound. Always ensure the bell is completely enclosed and the sock fits snugly but not too tightly. You can also decorate the sock with fabric paint or embroidery to make it extra cute.
9. Use an Egg Carton for Tactile and Shape Play
A clean, empty egg carton (paper-based, not foam) can be transformed into a hands-on learning toy. Leave it whole or cut it in half, then paint each cup a different color using non-toxic, baby-safe paint. You can fill the cups with safe household items like large pom-poms, chunky beads, or wooden coins.
Babies can practice transferring objects from one section to another, learning about spatial awareness and hand control. As they grow, they’ll also enjoy sorting items by color or texture. Be sure all items are too large to be swallowed, and discard the toy if it becomes worn or soggy.
10. Build a Tummy Time Mirror with a Safe Reflective Surface
Babies love to look at faces, especially their own. For a homemade mirror toy, use a shatterproof acrylic mirror or a reflective panel from a dollar store. Secure it inside a padded frame made of foam or covered cardboard, using fabric or felt to soften the edges. Position the mirror upright during tummy time so your baby can engage with their reflection. This not only strengthens neck and shoulder muscles but also boosts self-recognition and emotional development. Make sure the mirror is tightly secured and always supervise your baby to ensure safety.
Conclusion
Homemade baby toys offer not only cost-effective playtime solutions but also opportunities to bond and customize toys to your child’s developmental stage. When making toys at home, always prioritize safety: use non-toxic materials, double-stitch any seams, and avoid small parts that could pose a choking hazard. Thanks for reading our blog post on how to make baby toys at home! We hope you found it helpful and informative.
