Why We Love Homemade Toys for Creative Play at Mami Home Daycare
At Mami Home Daycare, we believe childhood should be filled with creativity, imagination, and hands-on learning. One of the ways we make this happen is by incorporating homemade toys into our daily activities. These simple, lovingly crafted toys aren’t just fun—they’re also powerful tools for development, fostering curiosity, problem-solving, and creative play in young minds.
If you’re a parent in Hollister or San Benito County looking for a daycare that values personalized care and thoughtful play, let us share why we love homemade toys and how they bring magic to our home daycare.
The Beauty of Homemade Toys
There’s something special about toys that are handmade. They may not have flashing lights or make loud sounds, but that’s the point! These toys encourage children to explore their creativity and use their imaginations. From wooden blocks to sensory bottles and colorful felt boards, our homemade toys inspire open-ended play, allowing kids to create their own stories and adventures.
Here are some of the ways these toys enrich our playtime at Mami Home Daycare:
Encouraging Imagination
Instead of following scripted play from store-bought toys, children can turn a stack of wooden blocks into a castle or transform fabric scraps into superhero capes. The possibilities are endless!Hands-On Learning
Many of our homemade toys double as learning tools, teaching shapes, colors, and numbers while engaging small motor skills. For example, our “sorting jars” made from recycled materials help children practice matching and counting in a fun, interactive way.Building Emotional Connections
Because these toys are simple and handmade, they often become cherished by the children. They also reflect the care and thoughtfulness we pour into every aspect of our daycare.
Examples of Homemade Toys We Use
At Mami Home Daycare, we take pride in crafting toys that inspire learning and joy. Here are a few favorites:
Sensory Bottles
These bottles, filled with items like glitter, beads, and water, are not only calming but also a hit with little explorers who love to shake and watch them sparkle.Wooden Puzzles
Hand-painted puzzles help children with problem-solving and fine motor skills while fostering patience and focus.Cardboard Creations
From DIY dollhouses to race cars, cardboard becomes the canvas for limitless imagination.Nature-Inspired Play
We incorporate rocks, pinecones, and leaves to connect children with the natural world. They use these simple items in imaginative ways, from building fairy houses to creating art.
Why Homemade Toys Are Perfect for a Home Daycare
As a home daycare, we embrace a warm, cozy environment where every child feels valued. Homemade toys perfectly complement this atmosphere because they:
Promote creativity in small-group settings.
Allow us to personalize play based on each child’s interests.
Align with our philosophy of fostering a love for learning through exploration.
Plus, using recycled and upcycled materials makes our approach eco-friendly—a great lesson for young minds about caring for our planet!
Creative Play and Early Learning
Homemade toys do more than entertain—they contribute to essential early childhood development. Pretend play, for example, boosts language skills as children create their own stories. Building and crafting improve problem-solving abilities and fine motor skills. By incorporating these toys into our curriculum, we ensure every child at Mami Home Daycare is growing in a fun, engaging way.
How You Can Encourage Creative Play at Home
Parents often ask us how to replicate our approach at home. Here are some ideas to get you started:
DIY Toy Kits: Use shoeboxes, bottle caps, and yarn to create DIY playsets.
Sensory Play: Fill a bin with dry rice, beans, or pasta for scooping, pouring, and sorting.
Nature Walks: Collect items like leaves or rocks to use in crafts or pretend play.
We also love sharing ideas with parents—feel free to ask for more tips or even join us in crafting toys during special daycare activities!
Join the Mami Home Daycare Family
At Mami Home Daycare, we’re passionate about giving children the tools they need to grow, learn, and thrive. Homemade toys are just one way we foster a nurturing and imaginative environment for kids in Hollister and San Benito County.
Are you curious to see how we incorporate creative play into our daily schedule? We’d love to meet you and your child! Schedule a visit today to experience the Mami Home Daycare difference.
