Making toys: eco friendly, cost friendly and fun!

Let’s create a scenario here. Your child is playing with some cars when suddenly there is a “need” for a parking building. Your child doesn’t have any toy that resembles this so what can you do? You can make some suggestions that might be acceptable in which case your child will continue playing. But what if your suggestions to improvise with something else is not helping your child’s predicament?

We have the answer! Make it! This is so much fun once you get into it and it’s definitely worth getting your child involved in the project if you can. After all, it will be used in their play. Follow these links to see how some of our ideas worked out. 

You will notice that in some of the videos there are children involved in the making process of these videos. When they were involved, we made sure the children were asked for opinions while making the toy. For example, we asked the children to choose the materials and where the parts should be attached. Their suggestions were listened to and if possible their suggestions were used. Together we tried out ideas and, if necessary, we discussed changes to complete the project to the children’s satisfaction. When the children were able and willing to work independently, we stepped back.

So what learning happens during these toy projects? One of our main goals is to show children that you don’t have to rush out and buy every toy you want. We are hopeful that children will learn to be creative some of the time. We hope that they will be resourceful and use whatever they can find to put together something that works well in their play. Buying new is exciting and the toy might be colourful and shiny but, in our opinion, the level of satisfaction when creating something to play with cannot happen with a toy that comes out of a box from a store.

Young children begin to learn about making things to play with by watching others during the making process. That’s one of the reasons we put together making videos. Young children have brilliant ideas too but sometimes it’s too difficult for them to make it work. Rather than let frustration stop the making process, a helping hand will keep it going. Children will observe what they are interested in and if they are interested in what is being made, they will learn a lot from you. For older children, doing it alone is great if they have the skills. Again, be close by just in case there is a good idea that is too tricky to do alone. Rather help so that the project continues than see it abandoned with great disappointment from your child.

We have created sets of cards to help make play dreams come true! We wanted to give some ideas and guidance by using photos and words which children can look at and read. Our vision is for children to be inspired to create and play independently as much as possible. Our intention is for the ideas to inspire children to use their own ideas or to use and/or adapt our  ideas.

There are a lot of skills to be learned when making something to play with. Bits and pieces have to be gathered, measured and attached. Tools such as hot glue guns, scissors, tape dispensers and hole punches are used. All these strengthen fingers and hand muscles which is excellent for developing handwriting. Working out what part goes where and measuring for size is maths and spatial awareness. Working together means learning to collaborate and negotiate. Using a range of tools and materials provides experiences using technology.  Writing numbers and words on the project supports literacy development. These are a few of the possible learning outcomes for making projects.

Let’s take a deeper look at how working with your child is incredibly valuable. A team effort gives your child opportunities to express ideas to you and to notice that you are listening. It works both ways. Your child learns to listen to your ideas too. Then there is negotiating and coming to an agreement about the next steps. Working together successfully means joint effort and persistence go hand in hand. These are a few of the learning highlights when it comes to making something together but, in our opinion, the most important benefit is spending quality time together and that is essential for your relationship with your child.

Our aim with the toy making videos is to show that there is an alternative to buying toys. Using recycled items is great for making projects which, of course, helps the environment. We hope that you agree that creating this kind of awareness is important. We believe that when children play with something they have made or helped to make, it somehow makes the play more magical and enjoyable. We hope you give it a go so you too can discover the joy and satisfaction of a uniquely designed homemade toy. Happy playing!