1. Blocks - these will have to be cut, so they require some woodworking skill, but they can be painted bright colors with child safe paints and if you're feeling fancy, remember they don't all have to be square to be blocks, try making some whacky shapes for endless building possibilities.
2. Rag dolls - there are countless patterns online for dolls and here too, get imaginative, because making them is as much fun as playing with them! I have a beautiful doll that my mother and I made together when I was 7 years old and I still remember the stitches I had to learn as we made it. Here's a fairly simple pattern to get you started: http://www.make-baby-stuff.com/free-doll-pattern.html
3. Kites - make a kite on a rainy day and the sun will surely come out when you're ready to fly it! You can use newspaper or fabric, either will work and of course be sure to decorate them brightly! http://www.allfreecrafts.com/kids/paper-kites.shtml
4. Felt Cutouts - This is a simple and endlessly creative toy, just glue a felt covering onto a square piece of wood and you have a scene. Then make cutout images from other felt pieces, of any theme you like and you can place them on the scene, arranging them however you like, and they will stick lightly onto the background. I have one that I created with a background of blue sky and green grass and made cutouts of a barn and trees and farm animals, but you can make a holiday scene, a clothing store or a tea set or space ships, anything really.
5. Jump rope - the softer the rope the better for jump rope so that it bends and swings easily. You can tie each end into a knot for handles or get fancy with large beads or wooden cylinders, its up to you.
6. Paper dolls - for the artistic child, these are great fun, use a thicker paper or cardstock cutout for the doll and thinner paper for the clothing, and remember to add folding tabs to the clothes so that they stay on the doll. Kiddley.com has some good basic templates: http://kiddley.com/2006/11/01/diy-paper-doll-templates/
7. Matching Games - This game can be played with a simple deck of cards, using the numbers and colors to indicate a match, but you can also make your own beautiful game set by gluing your favorite pictures onto card stock cards or even painting your own wooden masterpieces as a set.
8. Puzzles - these too, can be created by pasting your favorite picture onto cardstock or wood and then cutting out the pieces, but again you can also paint your own image and make the toy that much more special. Be sure to seal your wooden puzzles with a non-toxic varnish.
9. PVC Pipe - you can do a lot with PVC pipe but the most popular toy ideas are to make flutes by drilling holes into short pieces, or making marshmellow guns, for some harmless action, and I will add a video tuturial link below for each.
10. Bubbles - Always fun, here's a recipe and experiement with thin wire to make your own fun-shaped bubble wands.
Bubble Recipe
1 Cup Water (2)
2 Tablespoons Light Karo syrup or 2 Tablespoons Glycerin (3)
4 Tablespoons Dishwashing liquid
11. Rubber Band Ball - All you need is a pile of thick rubber bands and just start wrapping them around eachother. The more colorful the better and be sure to use the thick ones because it hurts way less if you accidentally snap yourself...trust me!
12. Playdough - this is another great inside toy for rainy days. Here is a good recipe from http://www.playdoughrecipe.com
A cool playdough recipe
Ingredients:- 1/2 cup of salt
- 1 cup of water
- 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar
- 1 cup of flour
- 1 tablespoon of oil
- Food coloring
- Mix the flour, salt, cream of tartar and oil in a pan.
- Mix the water with the food coloring.
- Add the water/color-mix to the other ingredients, stir well.
- Cook on medium heat for 4-5 minutes, while constantly stiring.
- When the mixture becomes “doughy”, remove from heat and start kneading. (the dough will be hot, so mind your hands)
- When desired texture is achieved, the playdough is finished, enjoy!
How to make a PVC pennywhistle:
How to make a PVC marshmellow gun:
For ideas and recipes, thanks to:
http://maryeaudet.hubpages.com/hub/HomemadeToys_Perfect_For_Christmas_or_Anytime
http://www.playdoughrecipe.com
http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/gamestoysartscraftstideaskids.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=-JN_vMXSP10
http://kiddley.com/2006/11/01/diy-paper-doll-templates/
