When we were kids, we coveted our toys; they held a very special place in our hearts and held such great value that losing them was the most devastating thing that could possibly happen in our young lives. As we grew older, we lost interest in toys and eventually what we once loved, are left in a storage box, thrown away or handed down and forgotten.
Although, sense of nostalgia is very strong when we are reunited with toys that we once played with or those playthings our children once enjoyed. There is a sadness in having to part with these priceless mementos once again as they serve no real purpose. However, thanks to some very crafty people, we now have the chance to up-cycle our playthings or those toys our children once played with.
The following photos pay an homage of sorts to not just our toys but our childhood as we well.
#1. Toy soldier strength.
#2. Quaking mini planters.
#3. LEGO my utensils.
#4. Animal head jewelry hanger.
#5. Half past Playmobil.
#6. Roaring dresser.
#7. Refrigerator traffic.
#8. Puzzle art.
#9. Skate lamp.
#10. Wild jar toppers.
#11. Green art.
#12. Prickly pickup.
#13. Botanical ride.
#14. Climb towards the light.
#15. Hot wheels, hot view.
#16. Extinguish darkness.
#17. Wild wall art.
#18. Prehistoric planter.
#19. Stegosaurus-sized jewelry storage.
#20. Driving literacy.
#21. Triassic toothbrush holder.
#22. Squishy toy lounger
Bonus. Toys for Cats
Toilet Paper Roll Treat Box
Save those empty rolls (or simply sigh and collect the remains when your cat decides it’s time to unravel an entire thing of toilet paper all over the bathroom). Glue them into an empty tissue box, sprinkle in some treats, turn it on its side and voilà. Kitty is entertained for as long as it takes her to paw out all the treats!
Pom Pom Dancer
Get some crafty inspiration from Joy the Baker’s colorful take on the classic “Stuff on a Stick” model of cat toy. Pom poms forever!
Feathery Fishing Pole
This blogger’s daughter made a gorgeous feather wand (or fishing pole, as she calls it) for her cat. Question – if you go fishing with this and you catch a really tiny CATfish, do you have to throw it back? Please say no, we want to keep it.
Catnip Bubbles
Remember when you were a kid and a bottle of bubble solution could keep you entertained for hours? Oh, wait, that was just last week. Share the joy with your cat using this brilliant recipe for catnip-scented bubbles! (Be sure to use an unscented, non-toxic detergent.)
Yarn Pom-Pom
Though this tutorial doesn’t specify that it’s for a cat toy, the applications are obvious. Yarn + fork + five minutes = instant pom-pom on a string! Seriously, pom-poms forever.
Fast Food Plushies
At last, your cat CAN haz cheezburger! (Sorry, that was a low ball.) This one from A Beautiful Mess requires some time and sewing skills. But holy moly are the results ever adorable, not to mention delicious-looking.
Sock Mouse
The perfect second life for those single socks. No sewing required, just sock-scissors-paper! (And a pen. And some catnip.)
Cardboard Castle
They already make themselves at home in any box left unattended for .02 seconds. Why not make it both official and attractive? This tutorial from Martha Stewart make recyclables regal.
Un-sissy Sisal
So many of those expensive scratching posts seem to fall apart completely after a few months (or days, even). But this baby is built to last. Minimal woodworking skills required for a handsome, sturdy result!
Simple Spiral
Step 1: Wrap a fuzzy pipecleaner around your finger. Step 2: Uh… Okay, this one may be almost too simple. But trust us, your cat will love these. And unlike the ones from the pet store made of plastic or metal, these don’t stab your feet if you step on them.
Peek-a-Puzzle
So simple, so inexpensive, so entertaining. This cardboard puzzle box can be combined with any of your cat’s favorite treats or toys to add an extra dimension of fun.
Yarn Cork
A clever combination of two things your cat probably already steals to play with on the regular – bits of string and old wine corks. This one’s pretty straightforward, but if you want instructions, see here.
T-shirt Tent
A couple of wire hangers and an old shirt make a cozy camping spot for your cat. No open flames or marshmallows required. (Unfortunately?)
Cat Clickbait
The visual pun is one your cat might not appreciate as much as you do. But hey, if cat toys were just to please your cat, you’d stick to cardboard boxes and dryer lint, right?