Children can play well with sticks, stones, clay, mud, rope, cloth balls, husk or cloth dolls and a patch of sand, and these cost almost nothing. Before any child plays with a material, check it for pieces small enough to be swallowed, sharp edges and splinters, cords that could wrap a neck, and anything salvaged that could be poisonous, such as old paint or small batteries.
Making toys and play materials from natural and salvaged things, with the safety checks that decide which are fit for which age.
Open-Ended Materials Last Longest
A stick is a sword, a spoon, a horse and a building beam; a stuffed ball is a game for many children. The parent article lists the basics, and children keep inventing more. The materials below need little skill.
| Material | Uses | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Sticks and stones | Building, drawing, counting, pretend tools | Splinters, point of break, stones swallowed by the youngest |
| Clay or mud | Sculpting, pottery practice, sensory play | Clean source; wash hands afterwards |
| Rope or string | Jump rope, cat’s cradle, knots | Never around a baby’s or young child’s neck; supervise long cords |
| Cloth ball (stuffed) | Catch, kick games, team games | Seams strong enough that stuffing does not escape and get swallowed |
| Dolls of wood, cloth or corn husk | Care, stories, working through experiences | No small removable parts for the youngest; smooth surface |
| Sand, water, containers | Pouring, measuring, building | Water: direct supervision of young children |
| Boards, boxes, crates | Houses, vehicles, balance beams | Nails, edges, stability |
| Homemade instruments | Rhythm, song | See Music & Simple Instrument Making |
Method: Making A Safe Toy
Step 1: Choose the right size for the child. Anything that fits entirely inside a young child’s mouth is a choking hazard for that child. For infants and toddlers, keep to large, smooth objects.
Step 2: Smooth and round. Sand wooden surfaces and edges until no splinter lifts under a thumbnail; round corners.
Step 3: Test for strength. Pull, twist and bend. A toy that breaks into sharp or small pieces is not fit for a small child.
Step 4: Check the material. Use clean, untreated wood and cloth. Do not use timber salvaged from old buildings or fences of unknown treatment, painted objects of unknown age, or anything that held chemicals.
Step 5: Look at it again after a week of play. Wear and breakage show weak points.
The Parent’s Animal-Bladder Ball
The parent suggests a ball made from “animal bladder”. It can work, but a fresh bladder is a biological material: wash it thoroughly, dry it, and wash the children’s hands after play. Hygiene guidance for handling animal products is in Hygiene Education. A cloth ball is simpler and safer.
Games That Need No Equipment
Rhyming and clapping games, hide-and-seek, tag, stone-counting games, stories and songs cost nothing; see Games, Recreation & Organized Sport.
Common Mistakes
- Giving salvaged toys without checking them, and trusting plastic or electronic salvage.
- Making toys too small for the youngest.
- Using rope as a toy without a watcher around infants.
- Letting children use real knives as toy tools without teaching and supervision.
Salvaged items that injure or poison
Small batteries (including button cells) and strong magnets are severe hazards if swallowed. Paint on old items may contain lead, and old treated timber may contain preservatives, so keep both away from mouths. Plastic bags can suffocate. Broken glass and rusty nails cut and puncture; a deep puncture wound can lead to tetanus, so see First Aid. Rope and cord can strangle: never leave cords on or near a sleeping baby. Choking is a major risk with the youngest, so see Choking Response.
What’s Next
- Learn next: Age-Appropriate Work
- Combine with: The Role of Play