The last of the really cold weather is here, and kids are getting more restless than ever. If you live in an area where the cold weather keeps them indoors too much it’s hard to keep them occupied. Crafting fun, new activity toys is one way you can keep them active indoors. Here are five activity toy projects using recycled materials that will tide your kids, and you, over until outdoor playtime season.
1. Bean Bags
Bean bags are a staple toy every kid should have. They’re great for playing games or just tossing around. All you need are some felt and fabric scraps and some beans. Whimsy Love gives us a great tutorial for a simple bean bag with a reverse applique design. It would be great to make a set of the 26 letters using this reverse applique technique and develop a spelling/letters game with your kids.
Next >> Moon Sand
2. Moon Sand
Moon sand is a pliable and moldable product with the consistency much like wet sand. It’ll feel like you’re playing at the beach! This recipe, found on Wise Bread, is a great project to make with your kids.
Next >> Puppets
3. Puppets
School of Puppetry shows us the many ways you can create your own puppets from recycled materials. You can easily whip up a little stage from cardboard boxes or make sets and accessories from felt or fabric scraps.
Next >> Play Stove
4. Play Stove
Over on Whip Up, follow these instructions for transforming a side table into a play stove. The possibilities are endless when it comes to changing furniture and household materials into play items.
Next >> Felt Board Play Set
5. Felt Board Playset
Our very own Julie Finn gives us a tutorial on creating a felt board play set. You can create as many different shapes and figures that your kids’ imagination can dream up. This would be a great way to learn your ABC’s and 123’s.
What kind of activity toys do your kids like to play with? What sort of toys did you play with as a child? Do you have any other eco-friendly toy ideas or projects? I would love to see some projects and get some links.
[Snowy playground image by Maia C via Flickr Creative Commons, Bean bag image via Whimsy Love, Moon sand image via Wise Bread, Puppets image via Hil, Stove image via Whip Up, Felt set image via Crafting A Green World]
I’m looking for some indoor activity toys to make for our kids when we’re in our building’s exercise room. The beanbags are a great idea, can’t believe I haven’t done that yet. I’ve also made a simplified felt board out of an old laptop case, thrifted felt sheets plus (new) fabric.
I’m on a search for more things… will send you links if I find anything interesting!
Thanks for linking to my article on making puppets from recycled materials. I will just add that the picture you have used on your site is not mine; but from a puppeteer named Hilary Talbot. Attribution is required to use the image.
Thank you for the information! I’ve updated the post to reflect the correct attribution.