Children discover the world anew every day - their curiosity knows no bounds. Parents often feel overwhelmed by this - especially when it comes to toys. One-sided toys become boring after a short time. Those that allow the little ones to let their creativity run wild and that enable various role-playing games are therefore considered to be of particular educational value. Children's vehicles are also very popular, especially in the summer months. Even if the toys meet all the criteria, the little ones still need variety. In any case, constantly buying new things quickly becomes too expensive - that's why more and more parents in the USA are deciding to make the toys themselves. A bookcase becomes a dollhouse, a chest of drawers becomes a children's kitchen and the side table becomes a shop. The old bobby car/slide car can be transformed into a Batmobile with a little paint.
Make your own toys - store from an old side table
A suitable toyShould not only look beautiful, but can be used in a variety of ways - various wheelbarrows, shops and ride-on cars offer numerous play options. They form the right prop so that the children can put themselves in a role and also give the little ones enough freedom to steer the game in the direction they want. They are ideal for children aged 2 and over. Babies under 2 years of age should not play with it as there is a risk of injury.
Parents don't have to spend generously on a plastic grocery store. In the next project one was built from household items. The following materials were used - old wooden side table (or a serving trolley), two wooden plates, paint, yarn in different colors and two old CDs for the pom-poms, plastic cups or glass cups, glasses, parasol in cheerful summer colors, decorative Fruit shaped pillows.
Instructions – spray the side table with paint spray and let it dry. Then add zigzag, stripes or dot patterns if desired. For the pom-poms: wrap the two CDs tightly with thread, then separate them a little and cut the thread along the edge of the CD. At the end, wrap a thread between the CDs and tie it. Carefully remove the CDs. Complete!
Arrange the glasses, cups, bottles and accessories lovingly on the shop. Attach the parasol to the side table frame. The children can do that tooplay with it in the gardenand are shielded from the strong rays of the sun.
Rocking horse from tumble dryer
Making a rocking horse yourself out of an old clothes dryer is not for everyone. Although the design of the tumble dryer remains largely the same, the question arises as to whether it will really withstand the weight of the small child. If you decide to do this, you should test it carefully before the baby or toddler is allowed to swing.
The materials for the rocking horse – tumble dryer, wooden slats for the seat, paint, seat cushion, horse head with handle. Simply assemble the seat and screw it securely to the wooden structure. Then paint the horse in a soft pastel color, mount the seat cushion and attach the horse's head to the front. Complete!
By the way, the rocking horse comes from the USA - there the toys were originally made from expensive metal and were therefore a status symbol for rich families. Later, mass production of wooden rocking horses began, which cost significantly less. This meant that working families could also afford the toys.
The modern version of the toy promotes the development of motor skills and the sense of balance, practices sitting and standing upright, stimulates the little ones' imagination, enables role play and in this way stimulates social behavior. Incidentally, rocking horses are a popular alternative to the bobby car for children aged 2 and over in bad weather.
Repaint doll faces
The so-called Bratz dolls were first presented in England and the USA as an alternative to Barbies. An impressive 140 million pieces of Barbie's competitors were sold across the ocean. But not everyone was happy with the final product - according to some parents, the excessive makeup made the doll's face look unnatural. Some of them decided to design the doll according to their own ideas of beauty. Ultimately, especially at this age, girls and boys often play together with dolls, practicing social behavior and coming to terms with their parents' world. All the more important because the fashion dolls often become role models for the little ones. Find out now how the Bratz dolls were freed from their reputation as glamor girls.
The make-up is removed with nail polish remover. The new face is then painted with acrylic paints - but this requires skill, as acrylic paints can usually only be removed when they have been freshly applied. Alternatively, ink can also be used, but of course these colors last less compared to acrylic shades. Felt felts and ballpoint pens are rather unsuitable for the project - they soak into the plastic face and run.
DIY swing for kids - A do-it-yourself project with an old skateboard
By the way, the swing for children that we are going to describe here is not a traditional design that can be seen everywhere. The so-called “Swurfer” allows children to swing while standing. With this extraordinary creation, your little ones will feel like they are surfing a wave.
In summer the whole family likes to spend time outdoors - of course the toys in the children's room are forgotten. Now is the right time to surprise the little ones with a playhouse designed according to their individual wishes. Hard to believe, but true – the design shown above is not custom-made. The actual model (in the photo below) is mass produced and made from wood. The old paint was simply sanded off, the windows and the top of the front door were removed. The house was then painted in white, with subtle accents added by the bronze-painted panel and window frames. The sky blue front door adds a vintage touch to the design. Together with a paper garland with stars and fabric balls in pastel colors, the house turns out to be a stylish beauty.
This is what the original looked like - wooden houses have the advantage that they are easier to redesign than plastic ones. Everyone can choose the right color scheme and present the playhouse attractively. It can be transformed into a castle, into a market stall - there are no limits to your imagination. In this case, the golden rule applies - the simpler and more neutral, the better. This means playhouses can always be redesigned.
The paddling pool becomes a lounge area
Children playpreferably with water - but if the weather doesn't allow it yet, then the paddling pool can serve as a cozy lounge area. Simply place a cozy blanket on the floor and arrange it with soft decorative pillows. So nothing stands in the way of relaxing afternoons with school friends! The little ones will have even more fun if a summer cinema is organized outdoors. Also perfect as a replacement for the playhouse in the garden. Who would believe that the paddling pool would prove to be an all-round talent?
Old kitchen sink becomes a sand play table
Children also like to play with sand - the games allow creative freedom, promote fine motor skills and are a lot of fun for children up to ten years old. In any case, if there is not enough free space for a sandbox in the garden, or if the effort required to set it up is too great for the parents, the sand play table is used. The design pictured above was built from an old kitchen sink. The doors and sides of the kitchen cabinet were removed and the rest of the structure was painted yellow. The two sinks were sealed with silicone and then filled with sand.
Car wash in the garden ensures optimal outdoor fun
The car wash pictured above is constructed from PVC pipes, fabric garland, and foam poles. The special thing about the project is that a direct connection to the water pipe transforms the car wash into a creative water feature in the garden. A great idea to cool down on the hot summer days. It is also safer compared to the children's pool - the children can play outside without supervision. Fun is guaranteed!
Make your own toy – vintage ride-on car becomes an airplane
A vintage ride-on car that was popular in the US in the 1960s is becoming more and more modified. In the next project, the popular design is transformed into an aircraft using wings and wooden rudders and elevators.
Ten years after the basic model was brought onto the market, the company Radio Flyer has developed a series of ride-on cars for children under the brand of the same name. Made from wood, plastic or fabric, the designs can always be re-staged. In this case, a wooden structure was mounted at the front and back, transforming the ride-on car into a double-decker.
Repaint a plastic pedal car
Another classic from the USA – the Cozy Coupe pedal cars have been manufactured for more than 30 years. The practical design and simple construction, the low weight compared to wooden toys and the easy-care plastic surface are just a few of the reasons why Cozy Coupe is one of the best-selling ride-on cars of all time. But even the universal toy gets boring at some point - that's when parents decide to give their favorite car a new look.
In contrast to wood, plastic presents a major challenge when it comes to painting. Mainly because not all types of plastic can be painted - there are often adhesion problems, especially with softer plastics. The problems can be avoided with a rust protection primer. First, the old paint is carefully removed with sandpaper, then the surface is thoroughly cleaned. The first coat of spray paint is then applied to a clean and dry surface. If the design is spiced up with stripes, zigzag patterns or dots, then a stencil should be prepared. The second coat of contrasting color is then applied with a brush. Additionally, the car can be decorated with various stickers.
Customize the children's kitchen from Ikea
The children's kitchenfrom Ikeafascinates with a simple aesthetic in Scandinavian style. But children love colorful toys - in this case, the decoration is left to the creativity of the parents. The project pictured above was decorated with paint and natural materials. The kitchen was painted gray and the metal parts such as legs, door handles and sink were sprayed with bronze paint. A patchwork blanket made from leftover fabric serves as the kitchen back wall. The wall shelves shine in azure blue. Numerous pots, cups and glasses add the finishing touches to the design. The new children's kitchen exudes vintage charm and looks playful.
Children's kitchen made from old wardrobe
With a little creativity and the right accessories, a children's kitchen can also be assembled from old wardrobes and chests of drawers. In the example above – the children’s kitchen from Ikea was built into an old wardrobe. The color scheme - white - makes the beautiful copper details stand out better. The back wall made from leftover wallpaper serves as an accent.
A chest of drawers becomes a shop
An old chest of drawers became a shop - in this case, the decoration and the matching accessories come to the fore. This doesn't automatically mean you have to spend big - old paint cans, toolboxes and storage baskets become toys and offer a cost-effective alternative to plastic food.
Old kitchen cupboard becomes a workbench
Are you planning a kitchen renovation? Don't throw away the old kitchen cabinets - they can be turned into a workbench, for example. The children's toys are presented attractively, now the little ones can enjoy playing with them and get to know better the different tools that are used in the household.
In the photo gallery below you will find more exciting DIY projects - get inspired! Of course, it's twice as much fun if the children can help with the decoration. This way you can discuss together in detail what exactly you imagine as the end result. The craft ideas offer the opportunity for the family to sit down together and let their creativity run wild. Optionally, you can surprise the little ones with a homemade toy for their birthday. You will definitely look forward to it.
Old toys become plant pots
Design children's rooms creatively and furnish them in an age-appropriate manner
Make toys yourself - build a children's kitchen from an old cupboard
