How to Make Baby Toys

Babies take in new information every second of every hour. There are many ways to aid a baby's unfolding process of growth and development. One of the best things you can give a baby is a toy. Toys specifically designed to meet a baby's needs can help any baby learn and grow. Toys do not need to be expensive to help a child have fun or discover something new. You can even make your own at home using a few simple common household items.

Things You'll Need

• Children's gloves
• Non-toxic markers
• Yarn
• Wall hanger
• Cardboard
• Cotton
• Cotton balls
• Buttons
• Fabric markers
• Shoebox
• Dried beans
• Baby spoons

Instructions

1. Cut off the fingers of a set of children's gloves. Make sure the ends of the fingers have no dangling strings that could get caught in a baby's windpipe. Draw faces with non-toxic markers on the ends of the fingers to make finger puppets.

2. Make a mobile. Tightly knot a foot of yarn to a wall hanger. Cut out a circle of cardboard 6 inches in diameter. Punch a small hole in the cardboard and knot the yarn tightly so that the cardboard is attached to the cardboard and wall hanger. Cut out a star, circle, triangle, rectangle and oval from the cardboard. Punch a small hole at the end of each shape. Punch small holes in the cardboard. Cut out five equal lengths of yarn. Thread the yarn through the cardboard shapes and attach them to the larger cardboard circle.

3. Sew a doll. Cut out two pieces of cotton. The cotton should be 1 foot long. Draw a figure of a person on the cotton. Cut out two sets of human figures from each piece of cotton. Fill the interior with cotton balls. Sew up the sides. Sew on yarn for hair and buttons at least 2 inches in diameter for the eyes. Draw a face with non-toxic fabric markers.

4. Fill a shoebox with 2 ounces of dried beans. Tape or staple the top tightly so that no beans can escape. Decorate the outside of the box with designs using non-toxic markers. Let the baby tap on the outside of the box with baby spoons.

5. Cut out 10 inches of brightly colored cotton. Fill with cotton balls. Sew the colored material into a rod shape. Cut out six circles of cotton 5 inches in diameter in a contrasting fabric. Cut out 3-inch holes in the fabric. Fill with cotton balls. Sew the ends of the fabric together so that you have a doughnut-shaped ring. Fit the rings over the rod to create a puzzle for a baby.