Homemade Baby Toys

Homemade baby toys are not only cost effective but a great way to use recycled materials. Your baby will appreciate your homemade toys, even more than his or her regular store bought toys. Plus, you'll have the advantage of knowing exactly what type of ingredients are going into the toys your baby is playing with. The following homemade baby toys ideas will make your child's toybox fun and educational.

Everyone has his or her own reasons for wanting to make baby toys at home. A lot of baby toys rely on flashing lights, sounds and battery power in order to entertain your child. These artificial forms of stimulus don't enrich your baby's brain the way that other toys do. Play time should be an interactive adventure between your child and the toy, as well as a parent at times. If the toy removes all imagination and thought, it isn't good for your baby. When you make your own baby toys, you can be sure that your baby will be using all of his or her brain power.

Safety is another important reason to make baby toys at home. With so many toys being imported from other companies with questionable safety regulations, it makes sense to make your own toys. This way you can be sure that your child's toys are safe for them to use however they will be using them.

These homemade toys can be made out of items you have around the house or that you can buy at a craft store.

For this project you'll need several milk or juice jug lids. You'll also need an empty coffee can. Make sure all the items are thoroughly washed before you begin. Cut an X in the top of the coffee can's plastic lid. Make sure the X is wide enough so that you can push the juice lids through the top fairly easily. You and your baby can take turns pushing the lids through the top. If you use a metal coffee can, the lids make a satisfying "kerplunk!" sound when they hit the bottom.

Babies love noise them can make themselves. Instead of spending money on plastic rattlers, you can make your own out of baby jars. Use a clean baby jar and fill it with small shells, buttons or colored rice. Place super glue underneath the rim of the jar lid and seal it down tight so the items won't spill.

Soft dolls are sold for $15 or more at toy stores. You can make your own by using pantyhose and a few other supplies from a sewing or craft store. All you'll need is a few pairs of pantyhose, some polyester fiberfill, a rubber band and some yarn. Cut the legs of the pantyhose into 18 inch long strips. Fill each section with fiberfill and then tie a knot to close off the ends. Use a needle and thread to sew five of these filled tubes together to form the arms, legs and torso. Cut one of the lengths in half and a form a head with fiberfill, then sew this piece to the top. Use a permanent marker to draw eyes and a mouth. Finally attach yarn to the head for hair.

This game is easy to make and great for boosting baby's brain power. Take a sheet of cardboard and tape down large squares of four different colors. You can also paint the cardboard if you want to. After the board is ready, select items from around your house that match the colors of the board. Show your toddler how to sort the pieces and then he or she can practice matching them with the colors on the board on their own.

These ideas just scratch the surface of the types of toys that you can make at home for your baby and toddler. No matter how tight your budget is or how much you feel that you're lacking in creativity, you can make fun and educational toys for your baby.

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