The Definitive List of DIY Kid Products

Photo by: foreversouls

Stroll through the aisles of your local toy store and your wallet will ache—whether you buy something or not. Deciding which gadget the little ones will enjoy is daunting.

And don't depend on your kids to be accurate in their prediction of long-term use of a new toy. You may take comfort in knowing these shiny plastic things have been tested five ways from Sunday by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, but you're paying quite a bit extra because of it.

A bit part of what makes a toy a bummer is it's one dimensionality. The mechanical puppy walks five steps then does a flip. Big deal. What you need are reliable, sustainable toys that last and have a myriad of creative purposes.

Many of the "eco-friendly" toys are simply wooden toys with an inflated price. Be careful when you head down that path. Everyone remembers the fort made of dining room chairs and a sheet. Or the long thick stick perfect for hitting a tree or tossing in the air. Kids today are the same as yesterday—what held your undivided attention will be equally enthralling to the next generation.

So stop stressing over entertainment and keep toys simple. Make your own! Don't let the authorities know, since they might want to do a product safety test. Be smart with what they play with and they'll be fine.

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RECOMMENDED Resources for Eco-Frugal Families:

Greensheen Blogger
Along with its all things foodie companion blog Stuffed Crustie, Greensheen Blogger is an eco family and green living resource sharing personal accounts and features related to raising a young family in an environmentally friendly and ethically sound way. Combining tried and tested tips and advice, with links and media features, it aims to be of help to other parents and fledgling environmentalists out there on the mighty world wide web. Small changes, big ideas.  Based: Belfast, North of Ireland.
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Here are some of the easiest toys and disposable products you can make at home. The vast majority reuse something in your home or make use of common craft materials you probably have on hand:

1. Buckle Teddy Bear
   I love the learning opportunities of the Gund Teach me Teddy Bear. Your toddler can practice tying shoes, buttoning sleeves, zipping zippers and more with this loveable teddy.
   
   But with some thread and old buckles, you can outfit a loved animal with the same bells and whistles. Cut up old purse buckles, belt buckles, plastic buckles, spare buttons, and gift-wrap string to sow to your bear. Make sure you have firmly secured each addition to the teddy to avoid choking hazards.
2. Soft Baby Wipes
   Creating your own wipes at home assures you won't be using harsh, over-drying chemicals on your baby's soft skin—plus it saves you a lot of money each month. Cut a roll of paper towels in half (my favorite is the plush Bounty or Viva) and toss the cardboard insert.
   
   Mix together, but don't shake, 2 cups of water, 2 tbsp baby oil, and 2 tbsp baby wash in an airtight container or gallon Ziplock bag. Pour the mixture over the half roll of paper towels and let sit for an hour so the liquid absorbs. Each full roll will last between 2-3 weeks as opposed to one week with a regular package.
3. Play Yard Sheets
   My mom, being the true engineer that she is, had a great idea for making sheets for our well-used Pack 'n Play after seeing a poorly made version for $9.99. She took an old, torn sheet and made two giant pillowcases that slip over the mat.
   
   Not only was it a perfect use of recycling but the new sheet was super soft from being washed so many times and can be rotated around the mat to save constant washing.
4. Clubhouse
   Don't join the throngs of parents who flushed hundreds down the drain after buying an outdoor play monolith. Kids play with it for a few months then get bored. Using the top of a card table as a base, sew five large pieces of fabric from torn or resale sheets (the brighter the better).
   
   They will make a fitted tent for the table. Cut a flap in one side for a "secret" entrance. Dress up the outside with drawings or sew fabric scraps to make it look like a house and presto! instant collapsible tent for pennies.
5. Bubble Bath
   Always err on the safe side when making something that will coat baby's skin. That being said, it's incredibly easy to make an organic, chemical-free wash for your baby bath. Combine 1 cup milk, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1/4 cup ground oats (processed), and 2-3 drops scented oil into a bottle. Sprinkle a bit into the bath, and maybe even hop in yourself, for a refreshing and natural cleanse.
6. Personalized Burp Cloths
   Find your favorite color ribbons on sale at Joann's or Michael's and attach them with a quick stitch at the bottom of your burp cloth for a personalized flair. Choose the super thick cloths to use. One of the cutest shower gifts I've seen is a basket filled with ribboned burp cloths that matched the nursery decor.
7. Organic Baby Food
   Ignore the Kidco 3-Step program for making your own food—using supplies you already own, craft Junior's gourmet baby food on a dime. Blend produce in food processor then load ice cube trays and store them in a freezer safe bag.
   
   Slowly incorporate meats and carbohydrates into his diet from your leftover family meals. They taste much better and cost less than the canned organic stuff. He doesn't want to eat pureed peas tonight? Keep offering, not forcing, it for several days in a row—he'll learn to love them.
8. Finger Puppets
   Have you noticed that your child's favorite toys are measuring cups, boxes, and wooden spoons? Despite our desperate attempts to keep Princess occupied with "smart" toys, they always prefer the simple pleasures. Help stimulate your child's creativity with these homemade finger puppets; easy to make and free (if you have a shirt or cloth you planned on sending to Goodwill), these toys are just plain fun.
9. Crib Mobile
   A store mobile will cost at least $39.99 for the matchy-matchy kind that coordinate with your bedding. The majority available for purchase are even more expensive and often times don't fit every crib.
   
   Plainly put, most of them are mind-numbingly boring for children over 4 months old. Craft your own that you can customize as baby grows and develops specific preferences.
10. Bubbles
    Combine 1 cup of water, 2 tablespoons light karo syrup, and 4 tablespoons dishwashing liquid. Mix thoroughly and have fun! Use a flyswatter, pipe cleaners, or clothes hangers to make your own creative bubble wands. Get the older kids to bend them into fun shapes and start blowing!
11. Log Blocks
    Two thumbs up for the original Lincoln Logs by K'NEX. They are beautiful, smooth pieces that fit well together and never break. You'll also pay quite a bit for each set. When you make your own blocks, you can customize each beam to the size and shape you want while satisfying the engineer/woodworker within.
    
    For detailed instructions on making your own log pieces visit Wood Central. You will also need several building materials, so carefully review before starting. Using scrap wood from a busted table or salvage store will help you save on costs.
12. Backyard Swing
    If you have a sturdy tree on your property, put it to good use with a swing. Don't shell out $25 for the plastic kind that rots after a couple years. Make your own more durable with a sturdy rope and base. This Old House has a fantastic video with a DIY demo.
13. Water Toys
    Outdoor water bonanzas don't have to cost an arm and leg. Instead of buying a water gun, use a discarded ketchup bottle for a water squirter. Old plastic container with small holes poked in the bottom make great baby toys. You could spend as much as $40 on a Slip 'N Slide to cool off in the summer. They tend to break easily and aren't durable.
    
    Design your own more durable variety with two 16' plastic tarps, kiddie pool, and mineral oil or dishwashing liquid. Try to pick a slight decline somewhere in your yard. Inspect the ground and remove and rocks, wood, or other sharp objects that would hurt to coast across.
    
    Lay down the tarps end to end and secure into the ground with stakes (most tarps have grommets around the edge to make it easier). Inflate a kiddie pool partially at the end of the runway. Squirt some slippery goo on the tarp and leave the hose running on high end. Enjoy beating the summer heat while you splash for less cash!
14. Puppets
    Using a sock, some extra buttons and fabric, and simple sewing supplies you can make your own fun puppets with your kids. The paper bag variety is fun to make too, but they don't stand up to serious drama. Check out these directions to create the next Muppet.
15. Paper Toys
    Who says you can have fun recycling paper? I love making toys with kids because it helps them see the possibilities of a sheet of printer paper. The best resource for printable paper toys is The Toy Maker—creative artist Marilyn Scott-Waters posts printable cut outs for free. Some of my favorites include the pouch, penny butterflies, and whirleycopters.

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