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5 Toy Ideas to Make For Older Children At Home
Older children are often a little more fussy with the toys that they choose to play with, making birthdays and other occasions a challenge.
If you want to create something a little bit different for your older children, whether that’s for a special occasion like a birthday, or as a hobby to enjoy together, creating toys for older children can be a great way to bond together.
Here are 5 examples of toy ideas you can make for older children at home.
1. Mechanical Puzzles
If you have a child who is particularly mathematically minded, solving mechanical puzzles together can be a wonderful way to build memories.
Mechanical puzzles can also help to develop problem solving skills and logical thinking.
To create a mechanical puzzle you might want to use a variety of materials and construct them using precision components from companies like Accu. Whether you’re in need of precision screws, nuts or thread gauges, Accu can supply you with all the components you need.
2. Board Games
An all-time classic, board games have been entertaining families for centuries, and you can design your own for very little effort, and maximum amusement. Here are some board game toy ideas.
To start, design the board for your game with a complete set of rules, and plan any extra pieces you may need.
If you need hard wearing plastic pieces, you can use a 3D printer to print pieces to your unique designs for your game. Companies like Creality can provide you with a 3D printer that will fit to both your budget and size requirements, whether you need to embark on a small or large scale project.
3. Marble Run
Many children enjoy playing with the effects of physics, and you can do this by creating a marble run. Whether you opt for a recyclable model made from scrap cardboard, or plastic, you can get creative by using different materials from around the home to form a dynamic marble run.
You could also use magnets to rival other customisable marble runs like Gravitrax by creating various moving parts to react to the impact of your marbles on the run.
4. Science Experiments Using Food
If you have older children, you can use food to demonstrate easy science experiments. Store cupboard ingredients like vinegar and bicarbonate of soda can create a whole host of exciting recipes for you and your children to enjoy.
Whether you’re a fan of edible slime, learning the science behind ice cream or edible glitter, allow your kitchen to become a classroom for a series of fabulous experiments and creations. The best part is you’ll create a feast worthy of the Great Hall at Hogwarts!
5. Outdoor Obstacle Course
This activity will interest the sportiest kids around, and will help to get them out of your hair during the summer months.
You can create an obstacle course from materials you find around the house, and this is particularly useful if you’ve just completed a house renovation and have leftover materials. You can even re-purpose your recyclable rubbish to have a place in your course!
Do you have any tips for creating toys for older children? Share your ideas in the comments below!