Beating Boredom with Toys Made from Junk

“I’m bored!”

Kids on the homestead are less likely than most to voice this familiar complaint, because there’s usually plenty for them to do. But every once in a while it happens. When it does, it’s nice to have some projects up your sleeve.
Here are some fun toys you can make with the stuff you probably already have lying around. Depending on the ages of your children, you can either make these toys yourself, or with your kids – or put an older one in charge of making them for the younger set.

• Dolls: You can make dolls out of nearly anything. They can be as simple as an acorn head with a tiny scrap of fabric wrapped around it for a hood and dress, to very elaborate, like a jointed wooden jumping jack. Rag dolls are a perennial favorite. You can make hair from bits of rovings or scraps of yarn, and clothes from your daughter’s favorite outgrown dresses.
• Rope swing: All you’ll need is a length of sturdy rope and an old tire or short piece of board. Tie the rope to the tire, or drill a hole in the middle of the board, thread the rope through and knot securely on the bottom. Then tie the other end to a strong tree branch. This will keep kids occupied for hours, and is a great activity for kids of mixed ages, as the older ones can push the younger ones on the swing.
• Soda bottle truck: You’ll need a clean plastic bottle, four bottle caps or jar lids, two pieces of stiff wire and a string. Poke holes in the bottle off-center near the top and bottom, and thread the wire through to make axles. Drill holes through the middle of the lids and slip them onto the ends of the axles. Bend the ends of the wires over to keep them on. These are your wheels. Cut a section out of the top part of the truck so it can carry stuff. Fill it with sand, little pebbles, blocks or the like. Tie the string around the bottle neck and let your little guy tug his new truck around!
• Puppet theater: Set a large cardboard box on its side. Cut out the back and cut a rectangular hole in the front. Let your kids decorate it with paints, markers or glitter. Use a couple of old napkins or fabric scraps for curtains. Make puppets out of construction paper and popsicle sticks, or old socks and buttons, or whatever else you have lying around. Then sit back and enjoy the show!

This list is only the beginning. Use your imagination, and you’re sure to come up with a whole toy store’s worth of ideas. Or maybe you already have? We’d love to hear about it – feel free to share your ideas here!

Tagged as: Going Green, rural life