Thursday, December 11, 2008

Homemade for the Holidays - 1 of 2 for Today - Toys

Since I was six years old I have been chasing the feeling of the Christmas my family spent on a farm in Missouri in 1980. Economics then were not a whole lot different than they are now and that year every gift we gave and received was handmade with tender care. This year we have decided to make gifts for each other. I wanted to share some of what I've found with you.

Here is my grand salute to the games people play, well, kids specifically. I’ll break it up into age groups for you and try to provide links for further instructions. As with most of my posts, there’s not an original idea to be found here, and I am much indebted to the original thinkers in this whose links I share with each item mentioned.

This list of home made toys for kids that goes beyond the classic rag-dolls for girls and wooden trains for boys. Because certain toys are classic, they may not be here. These are just the things I would enjoy making or playing with. If a toy falls into a certain category, it will probably work for older kids, too. One final note on the links here, if a particular site is encouraging you to purchase something, don’t do it. Just look at their idea and make it yourself.



This image came from etsy.com a great place for everything homemade



Image from discountschoolsupply.com

Toddlers -
Playdough

A familyfun.com matching game


This checkers game is from littlebirds.typepad.com


This image came from orientaltrading.com
Older Kids -
Weaving loom
Marshmallow Guns

Home made puzzle
Ultra Bouncy Ball

Here is a great site for lots of old-fashioned toys. Mother Earth News also did the extensive Egg study I sited a while back. These guys are a favorite for simple living.
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Do-It-Yourself/1974-11-01/Homemade-Toys.aspx

Let me know what you think of this completely unexhaustive list. Please share your ideas with us. What are you making for the kids in your life this year?

4 comments:

Kristen said...

I made a trip to the store. =o)

A lot of great ideas!

Tiffany said...

when I am done being sick, this will be my "blog of the week"
making christmas presents is much more fun than buying them!

Aaron and Elaine Fralick said...

I made James a whole kitchen of felt food. Also Craigslist is a great thrifty way to find gifts. We got his play kitchen from there, and it still has a lot of play left in it.

Katy said...

Love these ideas! Just the thing I have been looking for.