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How to Make Children's Toys From Kitchen Items

by Lynn Holmgren

  • Overview

    Children don't need expensive store-bought toys to have fun. Many children are content to explore and experiment with items already in the house. Reserving kitchen items specifically for their use as toys can give children a sense of responsibility and prevent them from tearing into every cupboard and drawer.

  • Miniature Grocery Store

 

  • Step 1

    Create a miniature grocery store from common kitchen items that you may usually discard after using.

  • Step 2

    Save paper grocery bags.

  • Step 3

    Tape empty cereal and cookie boxes closed so that they look unopened. Clean out jars and replace their lids.

  • Step 4

    Have the children set up "shop" and use play money to buy groceries.

  • Pots and Pans Drum Kit

    • Step 1

      Use old pots, pans, plastic and cardboard tubs to create a "drum kit."

    • Step 2

      Set the pots, pans and other items out on the floor in a semi-circle.

    • Step 3

      Let the child experiment, playing the drums with wooden spoons, large plastic spoons and metal spoons.

  • Foil Pie Plate Gardens

    • Step 1

      Clean and save foil pie plate dishes for use as miniature garden scenes.

    • Step 2

      Let the children search for small found objects such as small sticks, stones, moss, sand and flowers to arrange on the pie plate.

    • Step 3

      Help them to create a small garden or beach scene. Add wine cork "people" or animals.

  • Musical Glasses

    • Step 1

      Create a musical toy using water glasses. Set up the glasses in a row. They can be different or all the same design.

    • Step 2

      Fill each glass with water to a different height, so the child can achieve different sounds.

    • Step 3

      Use a metal spoon to tap lightly against the side of the glasses. Add or subtract water to make different sounds.

  • Homemade Playdough

    • Step 1

      Make simple homemade playdough using flour.

    • Step 2

      Mix 1/4 cup of salt and 1 cup of flour in a bowl. Add 1/4 cup of water.

    • Step 3

      Squeeze and knead the dough until it reaches a clay consistency. Add food color for a colorful effect.
    • 2
    • Paper grocery bags Empty cereal/cookie boxes Clean, empty jars Play money Pots Pans Wooden spoons Cardboard tubes Foil pie plates Drinking glasses Spoon Tape Wine corks
    • Paper grocery bags
    • Empty cereal/cookie boxes
    • Clean, empty jars
    • Play money
    • Pots
    • Pans
    • Wooden spoons
    • Cardboard tubes
    • Foil pie plates
    • Drinking glasses
    • Spoon
    • Tape
    • Wine corks

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