Make your own games for toddlers

How do I find the right toy or game for my child?

Spiele selber machen | Baby mit bunt geringeltem Softshellanzug spielt draußen im Sand

Consider preferences:Most parents have a pretty good idea of what their child enjoys. Some children love to squish and explore the different states of materials like water, sand, or clay. Others need movement and dynamics during play, and others can spend hours sorting, threading, or packing and unpacking things.

Not too much: You can occasionally give your child new impulses and stimuli to provide variety and perhaps discover new preferences. However, it is important not to overwhelm your child with stimuli – toddlers prefer to return to familiar play and engage more intensively with something from one time to the next.

Simple but effective:High-tech toys or educational play concepts are a nice change, but not necessary for your child's healthy development. Simple games for toddlers can be made from almost any materials available at home, e.g. a rattle from a small plastic bottle filled with peas and tightly sealed, or from perforated and threaded lids of baby food jars.

Summer fun: DIY water play

Children are fascinated by water and many can occupy themselves for hours with pouring, scooping, and splashing. A homemade water play area is simple, inexpensive, and perfect for warm afternoons in the garden or on the balcony – even for very young children.

You will need:

large shallow plastic tub
Containers in various sizes and shapes, preferably made of plastic or melamine, e.g. cups, ladles, mugs, small bowls, or pitchers
optional: food coloring

Instructions:

Fill some of the containers with water and, if needed, stir in food coloring to give the water different shades. Some of the containers should be left empty so your child can pour the water back and forth. Place the full and empty containers in the plastic tub so your child can also spill the water. Usually it doesn't need much more stimulation – just plenty of time and quiet for extended play.

Practical tips for homemade baby toys

Spiele selber machen | Kind mit Trägerhemd sitzt auf Boden und ist von Buntstiften umgeben

Less is more: Give your child time to fully explore a toy – constantly new ideas and stimuli overwhelm children and take away the fun of play.
Safety:All toys should be large enough that they cannot be swallowed – avoid small parts like buttons, etc., if possible.
More safety: Avoid objects with sharp edges and corners – you can even cut yourself on paper!
Age-appropriate: Make sure your child can hold and move their play objects well and independently. A container or stuffed animal that is too big for their hands will quickly become frustrating.
Allow time: Children need time and quiet to engage intensively with a toy and get to know it fully.
Let them discover on their own: Of course you can show your child the new toy or put it in their hand – but they don't need more "instruction" than that. Let your child make their own discoveries.