How do you make homemade water toys?

Making your own homemade water toys can be a fun and rewarding summer activity. Not only is it inexpensive, but you also get the satisfaction of creating something with your own two hands. Plus, kids love playing with homemade toys in the pool, sprinklers, or at the beach. In this article, we will walk through the steps and provide tips for making simple water toys using common household items.

What Materials Do You Need to Make Homemade Water Toys?

The great thing about DIY water toys is that many of the supplies you’ll need are already in your home. Here are some of the basic materials:

• Empty plastic bottles, jugs, or containers – These make great squirt toys or boats. Remove labels and wash thoroughly.
• Sponges – Large rectangular sponges can be cut into shapes. Smaller sponges also work well.
• Dowels, chopsticks, or wooden skewers – These make axles, masts, or supports.
• Rubber bands or string – Useful for attaching pieces together.
• Scissors or craft knife – For cutting sponges or other materials.
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks – Helpful for adhering pieces.
• Duct tape or masking tape – Also good for connecting.
• Empty aluminum cans – Can make boats that actually float.
• Funnel or tubing – Add to bottles for squirting.
• Food coloring, watercolors, or acrylic paint – Decorating options.
• Googly eyes, pom poms, buttons – For cute details.

Don’t limit yourself to these basics. Look around your home for other potential materials like foam, straws, corks, and fabric scraps to spark more ideas.

Simple Homemade Water Toy Ideas

Here are some easy homemade water toys to try making:

Plastic Bottle Squirt Toys

Squirt toys are endlessly fun for water play. Make your own by:

1. Taking a clean, empty plastic bottle and poking one hole near the bottom using a pencil or skewer.
2. Inserting a funnel or small plastic tubing into the mouth of the bottle.
3. Filling with water and squeezing to make it squirt out the hole.
4. Decorating your squirt toy with duct tape, stickers, paint, etc.

For variation, add multiple holes or experiment with bottle shapes and sizes. Dish soap bottles work great too.

Pool Noodle Boats

Mini boats made from pool noodles are super quick and easy. Simply:

1. Cut a pool noodle into 2-3 inch sections using a craft knife or kitchen shears.
2. Use a skewer to poke a hole through each section from top to bottom.
3. Thread a rubber band through each hole and knot it to create a little tug boat.
4. For a sailboat, insert a bamboo skewer with a paper sail into the rubber band.

Let kids decorate their boats with markers before launching them.

Raft Craft

Give kids a homemade raft to float action figures, small toys, or plastic animals. Make one by:

1. Cutting a 4×6 inch rectangle from a pool noodle.
2. Poking holes in the four corners.
3. Threading string through the holes and knotting to make a frame.
4. Weaving colorful rubber bands diagonally across the frame to form a net.

Use rubber bands that stretch to create a tighter weave.

Aluminum Can Race Boats

Craft mini race boats from empty aluminum cans:

1. Carefully cut open an empty can and clean out the inside.
2. Cut a triangle shape from the can bottom to make the boat’s bow.
3. Poke holes on each side and thread string through to attach popsicle stick oars.
4. Use a straw to blow air into the can and seal the opening with tape.
5. Float your can boat in water and race it by blowing through the straw!

Try this with different can shapes and sizes for variety.

Sponge Water Bombs

For target practice, make these simple sponge water bombs:

1. Cut a rectangular sponge into 2-inch squares.
2. Place a square sponge on a funnel.
3. Fill the funnel with water, allowing the sponge to soak it up.
4. Pinch the sponge closed and toss them at each other!

Store wet sponges in a bucket to keep them ready for the next water fight.

Tips for Making Homemade Water Toys

Follow these tips when crafting your own water playthings:

• Use kid-safe materials free of sharp edges or points.
• Avoid electrical components near water.
• Don’t attach small parts that could come loose.
• Thicker plastic bottles work better than thinner ones.
• Seal edges with duct tape to prevent leaks.
• Check toys float before playing.
• Supervise young kids when launching or throwing.

Encourage kids to brainstorm ideas and participate in designing and decorating. Their homemade water toys will provide hours of creative, screen-free play!

Conclusion

Homemade water toys are easy, inexpensive, and fun to make. All you need are some common household items, simple tools, and a little imagination. Kids love creating their own unique water gadgets and toys. Encourage them to experiment with different materials and customize their designs. Safely made, these homemade water toys will lead to hours of enjoyment all summer long. Give a few of these ideas a try and enjoy watching your kids play and learn through getting creative!