A Toy is What You Make It
Most children in the world will never own a commercially produced toy. At this activity, children will have the opportunity to learn how young people in countries such as Kenya, Peru, Sri Lanka and Turkey make their own toys from discarded items. Participants will then be able to make their own take-home toy from discarded "junk."
Supplies
- Empty boxes (crackers, macaroni and cheese, Velveeta cheese)
- Empty containers, washed and dried (Parmesan cheese, juice
- concentrate, toilet paper and paper towel rolls, egg cartons)
- Lids and other "Junk," washed and dried (lids from detergent, milk and pop bottles, push-pop disks with sticks, popsicle sticks)
- Craft supplies such as felt, yarn, markers, brads, rubber bands,
- scissors
- White glue, masking tape
Explain to the children what toys are like in other countries. Have them think aloud about what they would do if they only had a stick or a few rocks to play with. How would they feel if they didn't have any dolls or Lego's or coloring books at home?
Set up several stations and let each child choose to make one toy out of junk at a particular station.
Some possibilities
- Yarn Doll - Check out www.aokcorral.com/how2mar2000.htm for instructions on making a simple yarn doll.
- Car/Truck #1 - Glue 4 small lids or bottle caps to the sides of an empty box. Decorate with markers as desired.
- Car/Truck #2 - Poke holes through narrow box, two near front and two near back. Using 2 push-up disks (wheels) and one stick (axle), insert stick through front holes and attach disks for wheels. Repeat in the back.
- Tackle Box for Fishing - Decorate the outside of an egg carton and use the inside holes to hold hooks, sinkers, etc. Secure with a rubber band.
- Or supply an assortment of scrap craft items and let their imagination run wild! Fun for adults as well.
