How to Make Miniature Toys

by Karen Frisch

Overview

No dollhouse is complete without a child's playroom filled with toys. Miniature toys can be created fairly easily following a few steps. The trick is to keep it simple using inexpensive household items you already have available. The following steps are direct but flexible enough to be altered to your preferences. You're limited only by your imagination when making miniature toys. Not only will you be impressed with the results, but the experience of creating miniature toys will make for a quality parent-child experience.
Sailboat

Step 1

Cut two pieces of corrugated cardboard one inch long and one-half inch wide. Give them an arrowhead shape, with a flat bottom and rounded sides narrowing to a point at the top. Glue the pieces of the base together to double the thickness. Paint the base blue, and let it dry for 15 minutes.
Step 2

Cut a triangular-shaped sail out of white paper a half-inch long. Taper the sides to a point at the top.
Step 3

Glue the paper sail to a toothpick. Set it aside to dry for 15 minutes.
Step 4

When the blue cardboard base is dry, stick the toothpick into the cardboard to keep the sail upright.

Doll

Step 1

Find a smooth, quarter-inch button with a rounded top to represent the face. Cover the button with a one-inch piece of skin-colored fabric. Smooth it over the top, and glue the fabric to the button's back.
Step 2

Use a fine marker to draw the face. Make a wide U shape for closed eyes and mouth and two dots for nostrils. Glue a few pieces of yarn to the forehead and top of the head.
Step 3

Cut a 2.5-inch square of soft blanket material and lay it flat. Glue the button near the top where the head goes.
Step 4

Stuff the blanket with bits of old fabric or tissues shaped into an oval body. Glue the stuffing in place.
Step 5

Fold up the end of the blanket, then fold over the sides. Glue them down so the blanket doesn't open. Let it dry for a half-hour.

3
Corrugated cardboard Craft glue Scissors Ruler Pencil Paints Brushes Toothpicks Paper Fabric Button Marker Yarn
Corrugated cardboard
Craft glue
Scissors
Ruler
Pencil
Paints
Brushes
Toothpicks
Paper
Fabric
Button
Marker
Yarn
Think small when you're creating miniature toys. Think in terms of shapes as you look at children's toys. Look for shapes in items that are dollhouse-sized. A scrap of fabric in a tiny print makes a good blanket while a brightly colored piece of fabric makes a good outfit for a toy clown. Use a toothpaste cap as a lampshade.
Think small when you're creating miniature toys. Think in terms of shapes as you look at children's toys. Look for shapes in items that are dollhouse-sized. A scrap of fabric in a tiny print makes a good blanket while a brightly colored piece of fabric makes a good outfit for a toy clown. Use a toothpaste cap as a lampshade.