20+ Tips for toys and games with simple objects to entertain children at home

Children at home can be synonymous with mess, as they have a lot of energy and need to spend it. Many parents cannot afford to entertain them for long. In general, the normal attention span is three to five minutes per year of the child’s age. For example, a two-year-old can stay focused for six minutes on a certain activity, then lose focus and interest shortly thereafter. So it is a challenge for parents to distract and occupy their time. But nothing better than using creativity to invent games, games and toys, using materials that would go to the trash or even clothes and objects you have at home. Thus, in addition to having fun and stimulating creativity, children also learn about the importance of protecting the environment.

To help parents keep their children busy with interesting activities, the awesome.club made a compilation with 22 suggestions for creating toys, games and games, using simple materials you find at home. Good fun!

Although it seems simple, the activity helps to unleash creativity and improve some skills of the child, such as the notion of colors and proportions, as well as helping in their psychomotor development. So take paper, pencils, crayons, sharpie, paint (gouache) and everything you have at home to encourage your little one to play artist. If you prefer, you can make homemade paints, even with food and dyes, such as annatto and beetroot, for example.

Encourage your child to use the back of used bond paper, cardboard, and shoeboxes. Take the opportunity to talk about the importance of reusing objects, giving some notions about recycling and the importance of this attitude for the environment.

To build a fun cabin for kids, you will need:

Cardboard (can be pizza boxes); Stylus (to cut the cardboard); Scotch tape.

Find out how to do it by clicking here.

To make this caterpillar, you will need:

plastic straw; Scissors; Hot glue; black pen; Paper or cardboard (if you don’t have the green color, you can paint the leaves).

See how to do it by clicking here.

How about making a toy with recyclable packaging🇧🇷 It is possible to use cardboard toilet paper rolls, plastic packaging that would go to the trash and cardboard boxes, among other objects. The ideal is to have hot glue, white glue, some styrofoam balls, duct tape and markers at home.

You can make cute little lambs, like the ones in the photo, using materials such as sponge or cotton and, instead of wood, opt for large matchsticks for the paws. If you don’t have any other material, use the same sponge to make the head. Another option is styrofoam balls and even plastic bottle caps.

See other tips on how to make different toys using recycled materials here.

To make this crab, you will need:

1 cardboard cup; White sheet (to make the mouth, paws and eyes); Black pen; Elastic; Hot glue; AA battery.

See the step-by-step guide on how to do it by clicking here.

O papier-mâché is basically made with white glue and shredded paper. You can use this material to make a little farm, for example, helping your child to shape the animals. Or create masks, like the ones in the photo above, and use them for the fun of the kids.

Another suggestion is to create pieces to play bowling with the little ones. These objects can have different shapes. Another interesting idea is to use yogurt pots, put rice grains and then cover them with papier-mâché, in the shape you prefer. To make it more fun, encourage children to paint the objects.

See several tips on how to make papier mache here.

It is possible to make a homemade clay using wheat flour, salt, water, oil and food coloring of various colors. Then just let your imagination run wild. Play dough is a great resource for creating sensory play. So that it can be used without worry, the ideal is to prepare it yourself together with the children.

See how to do it by clicking here.

To make this cute and fun tray, you will need:

Egg tray; gouache paint; Brush tool.

See how to do it by clicking here.

With a little creativity, you can create ornaments and make the rooms in the house more fun! One suggestion is to use eggshells. After cleaning, they can be painted, used as mini vases and also as a base for making candles.

Another tip with eggshells is to use them (after crushed) for mosaics on any surface, such as leaves and clay pots, among others. If you prefer, you can color the objects after they are ready.

How about taking those boring clothes from the wardrobe and giving a new face with the help of the little ones? To customize them, you can paint, cut, sew or embellish them with buttons, sparkles and ribbons! Your kids will have a lot of fun with this activity!

To make these beautiful pants, you will need:

colored socks; Line and needle.

See how to do it and other ideas by clicking here.

Suggest a story and ask the little ones to interpret it, in a fun way. Create the characters’ clothes and the scenery together, using objects from your own home.

For example, you can dress up as a judge, making this wig out of cardboard rolls. Learn how to make and see other costume ideas by clicking here.

This tip is really fun. The idea is to take clothes from the closet, making different and extravagant combinations or using custom pieces. Children can also wear costumes to parade.

With socks, paper, boxes or plastic bottles it is possible to make Fun puppets to play with! use colored socks for the body of toys; old buttons for eyes; and wool for hair. Then it’s just a matter of putting together a play and inventing a story using these creations.

See how to do it by clicking here.

Another idea is to make a very original movie session, which will stimulate your child’s creativity. You will need:

Shoe box. Scissors. Magnifying glass.

For step-by-step instructions, click here.

Children will love watching their favorite movies. You can choose a day to have a movie session, with popcorn and delicious snacks. See some suggestions for children’s movies to watch as a family by clicking here.

Children are born knowing how to use smartphones and are not afraid to try new technological resources. So how about doing a photo shoot with the little ones? Just use fun tricks to get different and original effects.

To get the effect of the image above, you will need:

An umbrella Flower petals (if you don’t have one, just cut colored paper in the shape of them).

Here’s how to achieve this effect and other tips to take unique and fun photos.

Children love novelty, so nothing better than teaching them new games. One suggestion is to play discover the shadow🇧🇷 For this, use various objects, such as pans, plates, glasses, clothes and pens, among others, a lamp or flashlight, cardboard and pen.

Stack the objects, creating a funny shape. Then direct the light from the lamp (leaving it fixed), creating a shadow with them. Reproduce the shadow on cardstock and use masking tape to secure this shadow design to the floor. Disassemble the objects and show the outline for the children to try to find out how they were stacked. Then ask them to try to create the same shadow.

Here you will find some more suggestions for this game.

Another very good and educational idea! Making a home garden, in addition to being a great activity for both children and adults, can also serve to teach early on the benefits of certain foods.

If you want tips on how to make a vegetable garden, click here.

If the kids are a little older, you can choose to prepare their favorite snacks or create a new recipe together. You can make cakes, cookies and sandwiches. The hobby can be more fun than you might think and it is also a way to pass on some concepts about healthy eating to the little ones. See here for easy snack tips to prepare with the kids.

An interesting game is to invent a camp at home. If you don’t have a yard, you can use the room. If you don’t have a tent and flashlight, use cushions, chairs, benches and a duvet or blankets. The cardboard box hut, which we explained how to make earlier, is also capable of serving as a tent. Here we even show you another cabin option… The little ones will love it!

Another idea is to take the child’s favorite books and have a “storytelling” session! You can also ask her to tell her brother a story, for example.

If you want to propose an activity for the little ones to spend a lot of energy, suggest games that involve dancing. An alternative is to play statue, putting on music and interrupting, or playing an imitation game. Just drag the furniture a little and play some upbeat music!

Even here we have a very nice post talking about the importance of dance for children. We hope you like it.

Do you often play with your children? Have you put any of these suggestions into practice? Do you have any tips to share with our team? Leave your opinion in the comments.