Pocket-saving DIY games you can make for your child

Games nowadays for kids can be really expensive to buy. The good news is you can make fun games for your child without having to spend money shopping in toy stores. These DIY games are not expensive to make, and your toddler will have hours of fun helping you make them and then playing with them afterward.

Tin can bowling

This game may be a little noisy, but it’s tons of fun.

You will need

• 6 empty, clean cans with the labels removed
• Craft paint
• Paintbrush or foam brush
• Googly eyes
• Pom-poms
• Craft glue
• Ball

Method

1. Paint the tins and allow them to dry.
2. Glue on the googly eyes and pom-pom nose and allow to dry.
3. Stack them three at the bottom, then two in the middle, and one on top.

Paper plate ring toss

A little skill and a touch of luck are needed to get the rings over the centre tube.

You will need

• Paper plates
• Cardboard tubes
• Pencil
• Paint
• Scissors
• Paintbrushes or foam brushes
• Tape

Method

1. Paint the backs of the paper plates.
2. When they’re dry, cut out the centre of places leaving the outer ring.
3. Take the cardboard tube and draw around it, on the centre of two plates and cut out.
4. Push the cardboard tube through the centre of the plate. If it’s a bit wobbly, secure on the underside with some tape.

Clown game

This game is good for hand-eye coordination, as your little one moves the box around to get the ball through the clown’s nose.

You will need

• Cardboard box with sides
• Pencil
• Craft paint
• Paintbrush
• Craft knife
• Plastic ball

Method

1. Draw the circle (the clown’s nose) on the inside of the box and then draw the outline of a clown face.
2. Make sure the hole is big enough for a ball to fall through.
3. Paint the face and outline it with a thin line of black paint.
4. Cut out the centre of the hole.

Shape and colour matching

Playing this game is a perfect time to discuss colours and the names of shapes.

You will need

• A large piece of cardboard
• Paper
• Marking pen
• Scissors
• Velcro tape
• Glue
• Felt

Method

1. Draw different shapes on a piece of paper and cut them out.
2. Use the shapes as templates to trace the same shapes onto the cardboard.
3. Make matching templates on the felt and cut them out.
4. Cut 2cm strips of Velcro (the side with the hooks) and glue them into the shapes on the cardboard.