Creating easy DIY educational tools for preschoolers is simple and fun. With everyday household items, you can turn learning into an exciting adventure. These tools help kids develop important skills like counting, reading, and problem-solving. Best of all, they are budget-friendly and easy to make.
You don’t need fancy toys or expensive gadgets. A little creativity and a few common materials are enough. With these easy DIY educational tools for preschoolers, preschoolers will enjoy hands-on learning at home or in the classroom.
This article will share amazing ideas that will spark curiosity and boost learning. From alphabet games to number activities, these easy DIY educational tools for preschoolers make learning stress-free and enjoyable. Let’s explore these fun and simple ways to teach preschoolers!
Why DIY Tools for Preschoolers?
As a parent, you aim to provide your toddlers, especially Preschoolers with enjoyable and educational toys without constantly overspending.
That’s where making your own easy DIY educational tools for preschoolers comes into play! They’re not only budget-friendly but also encourage creativity, fine motor skills, and problem-solving abilities. Additionally, you likely already have most of the materials at home.
Many new mothers are often surprised by the limited variety of toys available to captivate their toddlers, and preschoolers in imaginative play. Are you seeking some inspiration to create DIY tools for preschool-aged children?
If you’ve been considering the need for more educational resources or toys for early learners, or perhaps you’ve recently welcomed some younger kids into your care and are tight on budget for new materials, consider getting inventive with natural and recyclable items.
You can upcycle objects into something new or even apply your crafting and sewing skills (which many mothers wished they possessed more of!) to design unique soft toys and engaging resources for this age group to explore!
Don’t worry because, in this article, we will share the top easy DIY educational tools for preschoolers that are simple to create and ideal for engaging little hands and minds. We can all agree that playtime doesn’t need to come with a hefty price tag!
Utilizing Easy DIY Educational Tools for Preschoolers
I understand that seeing how others utilize these types of materials can be inspiring and spark ideas for starting your own DIY project, so a selection of fantastic concepts has been gathered and evaluated. The goal is always to maintain simplicity when working with babies and preschoolers, so try not to complicate your projects too much!
Incorporate low shelves, use tape on floors, or arrange items on tabletops for preschoolers—ensure your DIY tools are readily available, rotate them at the end of the week with different options, and encourage Preschoolers to lead their own play by integrating new resources into their various games, materials, and areas.
Preschoolers enjoy carting, dumping, and carrying, so incorporating shoe boxes with lids, baskets, thrift shop bags, purses, wallets, and empty containers into learning environments will enhance the enjoyment when paired with your DIY materials and open-ended resources!
DIY tools go beyond just being cost-effective; they have numerous additional advantages:
- Stimulates imagination: Young children enjoy exploring different materials and textures through play.
- Personalizable: You can modify these tools to suit your child’s developmental needs.
- Quality time: Crafting DIY tools alongside your preschoolers/toddlers provides an excellent opportunity to bond and create memories.
- Environmentally-friendly: You can repurpose items you already possess, minimizing waste and benefiting the planet.
Now, let’s explore some easy DIY educational tools for preschoolers that your children will adore!
21 Easy DIY Educational Tools for Preschoolers
1. Sensory Bottles
These are always a favorite among toddlers! All you need is an empty plastic bottle, water, and various small objects such as beads, glitter, and sequins. Secure it tightly with hot glue, and there you have it—a captivating sensory toy that your child can shake, twist, and investigate.
What you’ll need:
- Empty plastic bottle
- Water
- Clear glue
- Small items (beads, glitter, faux leaves, buttons)
Why it works: Sensory bottles assist toddlers in developing visual tracking abilities and hand-eye coordination, plus they are excellent for calming down or transitioning between activities.
2. Cardboard Box House
Who would have thought that something as straightforward as a cardboard box could keep toddlers entertained for hours? A large cardboard box can be easily turned into a DIY playhouse. Cut out windows and doors, and allow your little one to embellish it with crayons or stickers.
What you’ll need:
- Large cardboard box
- Scissors
- Markers, stickers, or paint
Why it works: This DIY toy promotes imaginative play and gross motor skills as toddlers navigate in and out of their personalized house.
3. Pom Pom Drop Game
Transform an empty paper towel tube into an exciting pom-pom-drop game. Affix the tube vertically to the wall and give your toddler colorful pom-poms to drop through it. You can add additional tubes for a maze-like experience!
What you’ll need:
- Empty paper towel tubes
- Tape
- Pom-poms or small balls
Why it works: This activity is beneficial for developing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and color recognition.
4. Busy Board
Busy boards are a fantastic DIY toy option for toddlers. Find a sturdy board and attach various everyday items like locks, zippers, and latches for your child to explore. These boards aid toddlers in practicing object manipulation and enhance problem-solving skills.
What you will need
- A wooden board or cardboard
- Items such as locks, zippers, switches, and Velcro
Why it works: Busy boards provide hands-on learning opportunities and improve fine motor skills by allowing toddlers to interact with real-life objects safely.
5. DIY Play Dough
Making homemade play dough is a timeless DIY toy for toddlers, and it’s simple to prepare in your kitchen. You can create soft, squishy playdough that provides hours of entertainment using just flour, salt, water, and food coloring.
What you’ll need:
- Flour
- Salt
- Water
- Food coloring (optional)
Why it works: Playdough enhances sensory development and fine motor skills. It also serves as a great introduction for toddlers to early concepts of texture, color, and shapes.
6. DIY Shape Sorter
What you’ll need:
- Empty cereal box
- Foam or cardboard for shapes
- Scissors and tape
Why it works: Shape sorters are excellent tools for teaching toddlers about shapes, colors, and problem-solving while developing their hand-eye coordination.
7. Rainbow Rice Sensory Bin
Construct a vibrant sensory bin utilizing dyed rice. Simply combine rice with a few drops of food coloring and vinegar in a ziplock bag, shake until the rice is uniformly colored, and allow it to dry. Include measuring spoons, cups, and small toys for your toddler to scoop, pour, and discover.
What you’ll need:
- Rice
- Food coloring
- Vinegar
- Measuring spoons, cups, or small toys
Why it works: Sensory bins are superb for fine motor skills, sensory exploration, and imaginative play. The various textures and colors make it a favorite among toddlers.
8. Chalkboard Table
You can get an upcycled chalk table on Amazon for just $1! It comes in diverse colors and has some wear on the top. You can sand it down and repaint it. With care, it can last for about three years, and it typically gives a fresh coat of paint every summer to keep it looking brand new!
9. Peekaboo Boards
The peekaboo boards are crafted from a recycled cardboard box and lids from wet wipes (ideal because they remain adhesive). You can insert any materials you wish to utilize to enhance the children’s educational experience.
10. I-spy Bottles
I-Spy bottles filled with rice and an assortment of tiny objects inside. You can include any intriguing items in this – just ensure the lid is securely taped!
11. Dual Sided Board
This is an excellent resource for those with limited space or for situations where you need to switch from a tabletop height to ground level for younger children.
12. Watering Can
You can create a watering can from an old milk bottle—there are numerous fantastic ways to use this, and the squeezing action is excellent for strengthening those tiny hand and wrist muscles!
13. Peek-a-boo with a Milk Carton
Focus on enhancing your preschooler’s pincer grasp skills, as this will aid in developing the muscles and coordination necessary for pencil grip later on. The small opening at the top provides just enough space for pom-poms to fit, requiring concentration, making this tool excellent for refining fine motor skills.
14. Felt Fishing Game
Craft fish from felt and attach paper clips to each piece. Next, create a fishing rod using a stick or dowel, string, and a magnet. Your toddler can “catch” the fish by maneuvering the magnet toward the paper clip!
What you’ll need:
- Felt sheets
- Paper clips
- Stick or dowel
- String and small magnet
Why it works: This activity enhances hand-eye coordination and helps toddlers cultivate concentration and patience.
15. Constructing a Maze with a Cardboard Box
This game is ideal for older toddlers. My one-year-old still doesn’t grasp the idea of moving the box to guide the ball into the hole. For now, we will keep it, knowing it’s a simple yet excellent game.
16. Creating a Path with Recycled Amazon Bubble Wrap Envelopes
I opened several bubble wrap envelopes and taped them to the floor. remove shoes and navigate the path back and forth, creating a delightful sensory experience for our feet!
17. Musical Tower
This activity is a twist on one from the ebook Fun Under. Here is how you do it:
- Use recycled containers and rice or pasta to create musical instruments, then stack them as high as you can.
- The music captivates their attention.
What you’ll need:
- Plastic or paper cups
- Any stackable items
Why it works: Stacking cups promotes toddlers’ hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and problem-solving abilities as they discover how to balance and arrange the stacks.
18. Parmesan Container and Dried Pasta
The pincer grasp challenge increased significantly! It was fascinating to watch him focus on placing each tiny piece of dried pasta into the holes of the parmesan cheese container. There are endless possibilities with colored dried pasta!
19. Egg Carton Caterpillars
Convert an empty egg carton into charming caterpillars by cutting it into sections, painting them, and adding googly eyes and pipe cleaner antennae. It’s a delightful craft that turns into a DIY tool!
What you’ll need:
- Empty egg carton
- Paint or markers
- Googly eyes and pipe cleaners
Why it works: Making these caterpillars fosters your toddler’s creativity and develops fine motor skills, while the resulting product serves as an adorable new toy for imaginative play.
20. Cardboard Texture Activity Board
While putting together the Fun Under 1 ebook for infants, a mum designed a sensory board—the one in the picture above. Capturing the photos, she said her son eagerly jumped in to play with the baby. He was especially curious and wanted to explore it using his feet.
21. Drop and search Activity
This is among the easy DIY educational tools for preschoolers and you just need 3 holes made on a cardboard box and a a ball. This is one favorite game of children and they love playing it, and surprisingly, it is still holding up!
Keep in Mind
Learning should always be fun, and easy DIY educational tools for preschoolers make it exciting. With simple household items, you can create amazing learning experiences. These easy DIY educational tools for preschoolers encourage creativity, problem-solving, and curiosity.
The best part? These easy DIY educational tools for preschoolers are budget-friendly, easy to make, and perfect for home or school use. Whether it’s a counting game or a letter puzzle, every tool helps preschoolers learn and grow.
Now, it’s your turn to get creative! Try these easy DIY educational tools for preschoolers and watch your little ones enjoy learning. Share this article with parents and teachers who want to make education fun and engaging. Let’s inspire more kids to love learning!