Homemade toys don’t have to be fancy. For young toddlers, sometimes the simpler the toy, the better the play.
This DIY buckle, clipping toy kept my toddler (17m) entertained for hours! I was inspired to make this one morning at the park, when all the other kids were playing with the slides and the swings and the two toddlers at the park were hunched in deep concentration over a stroller, buckling and unbuckling the straps.
This is a great addition to our activity bag, especially as we were anticipating a long cross-country road trip. I am so thankful we made this, this and the “I Spy Shaking Bottle” were two of the toys that held my daughter’s attention!
Supplies for the DIY buckle clipping toy:
- Plastic Buckles (I found mine for a few bucks off ebay)
- Various ribbon scraps
- Two pieces of fabric – we used canvas as it was sturdy
- Other fun items (we added a pacifier, a bell, a key-chain, a zipper. I can also see this being a hit with various sizes and textures of Velcro).
- Sewing machine and thread
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How to make this toddler learning toy:
First, I threaded the buckles through the ribbon and affixed them to the right side of the fabric, or the side I wanted to be visible. Then, I pinned the other piece of canvas (pretty side in) and sewed along the edge, leaving one side open, like a pillowcase. We clipped the corners and turned the “pillowcase” inside out. Now the buckles, which had been pinned on the inside of the two pieces of canvas, are on the outside. I reinforced the seams with another straight stitch along the outside, added a zipper and viola! I love homemade toys. Our toddler has had hours of fun clipping and unclipping these buckles!
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I don’t know about you, but we’re always looking for new, fun crafts, games, and activities to keep our kiddos busy and entertained over break.
Well we have tons of options when it comes to kids crafts, recipes, activities, and printables! Have fun! 🙂
Great idea, thank you very much
Very nice idea, and easy to make 🙂
Cute idea BUT why would I give my toddler a toy that teaches her how to unbuckle herself from her highchair/pushchair/reigns…etc etc…plus have you ever caught your finger in one of those things!!!!! Ouch
I just finished this buckle-toy, added on some extras (like a three-zipper compartment to the back and a handle to the top to double as a toy / activity bag whilst away on holiday. Thank you SO much! I’m sure my friend’s one year old will enjoy his gift 🙂
I fell in love with this idea when I saw it, I made my own version and wanted to let you know I linked you on my blog 🙂 Here’s the post it’s on, http://thelifeimliving.com/?p=206
We have 5 kids, and we always keep them occupied with audiobooks for the ipods. There’s a ton of sites where you can download them, but we use this one a lot because the stories are free and original. This is the link, if anyone is intereted. http://www.twirlygirlshop.com/short-stories-for-kids
So great. It’s amazing how we create these wonderful looking toys and pay top dollar for them when really, all I ever had to do for my kids was to open up my tupperware cupboard! I’ve stopped buying toys for my little ones and they have gotten very creative with whats around the house! Thanks for sharing too!
What size are the buckles? I’ve ordered two different sets, and they were too small and then too big. 🙁 So excited to make this toy, though!
Wow. This is very nice. And the fact is that you can create your own style and design. Thanks for sharing.