Kids’ toys are fun but can be expensive. To save money, you can build these DIY toys for very little outlay.

As well-being fun to play with, toys facilitate a child's cognitive, motor, emotional, and even psychosocial development while inspiring their self-confidence, creativity, and happiness. And the good news is that you don't have to spend a couple of hundred dollars buying them because you can always DIY them at home. Here are nine unique toys you can make for kids.

Most kids have this peculiar habit of absolutely ignoring that new, shiny toy you just brought home in favor of something ordinary. For instance, many children are drawn to electrical switches and will try to toggle them whenever they get a chance. The problem with this is that it's dangerous.

Know a kid with such a habit? Build a toy light switch box to keep them away from the hazardous ones. It's pretty straightforward, as you only need to mount a couple of LEDs and mount them on a toy box with some light switches. Check out this Instructables project for more details of how it's done.

Want to catalyze a child's fine motor skills? Get them a toy truck. This will significantly accelerate a kid's hand-eye coordination since they have to push the truck around while being aware of their environment.That is precisely why you should build an Arduino-based RC toy truck for your favorite niece or nephew.

The good news is that you don't have to be an expert to do it because this Hackster.io guide adequately highlights the supplies you'll need and the steps to take. You can use these fun DIY projects to get your feet wet in robotics to create other moving toys.

A wind tunnel is a large tube with air blown through it to test how air moves around/interacts with an object. Researchers in institutions like NASA typically use these tubes to test aircraft and spacecraft scale models. Some are even large enough to accommodate full-sized vehicles.

What does any of this have to do with kids' toys? Well, most kids find wind tunnels pretty fascinating, and building one for them is an act they'll certainly appreciate. Before you freak out, you don't need to build a professional one. This Instructables tutorial has just the perfect one for kids; it can launch balls and soft toys into the sky!

Got a child who's into RC cars, but you don't have the cash to get them a unique one? Fret not because this Instructables guide has just the ideal one to build at home. The best part is that you don't need any special skills or tools as it's made using items you'll find in your nearest electrical store, such as a DC motor, 9V battery, and battery connectors.

Like most adults, kids find space fascinating, so building a toy spaceship dashboard as a surprise toy for that nephew or niece you haven't seen in months is undoubtedly a welcome move.

Check out this Hackster.io guide for ideas on how to build one. Based around a Raspberry Pi, it features a control panel with knobs and switches that kids of any age can easily toggle to operate. Even better, you can exchange video messages with them on it, so as well as adding loads of fun into their playtime, it'll allow you to keep in touch easily.

Want to teach your mini-me the concept of traffic lights? Got a nephew who's obsessed with playing with cars and trains? If you answered yes to either question, this Hackster.io project has just the ideal DIY toy project. It features an Arduino-based traffic light controller for kids' toys. The controller is incredibly compact, made from recycled materials, and won't cost an arm and a leg.

Blowing and playing with bubbles is an activity everyone finds fascinating and fun. In addition, it helps improve a child's gross motor skills and even coordination. But what if your little one can't blow bubbles yet? Build this DIY bubble machine, as explained in detail in the Instructables tutorial.

Made from basic materials like cardboard sheets, an empty bottle, straws, and any shampoo or soap, this bubble machine will do all the work so your little one doesn't have to. It'll save them the frustration of being unable to blow bubbles while allowing them to enjoy the beauty of bubbles, yet you'll have spent nearly nothing building it. Just like these easy and profitable tech DIY crafts to make and sell, you can make some extra bucks by selling this DIY toy.

Most of us had no financial education growing up, but that doesn't mean your child has to do the same. Financial literacy is among the best gifts you can offer your kids, and building them an ATM piggy bank is a step in the right direction. It will help them familiarize themselves with saving and how ATMs work. Watch the video above for the simple steps needed to build one from cardboard and old computer keyboard keys.

They say music is food for the soul, and while it sounds cliché, it's true. Music is fun to listen to, relaxing, and even energizing. Music ignites intellectual, motor, linguistic, and even social-emotional literacy for kids. Exposing kids to music early also helps them acquaint themselves with different sounds and word meanings.

However, unlike you, younger kids cannot stream their playlists or use an MP3 player. They need an easy-to-use device, and this Hackster.io tutorial has just the ideal one (based around an Arduino) for your little one. Similarly, you can breathe new life into an old gaming system and gift it to your kid by building any of these DIY projects to repurpose old video game consoles.

While you can always buy toys, building them has far greater benefits. Not only will your favorite child end up with something fun to play with, but you can also build it with them to encourage design and problem-solving skills in your little humans. Additionally, DIY toy projects involve reusing stuff that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill, so it also helps the environment and teaches your young ones to take care of it.

The best part is all the fun you'll have recreating the projects above. Feel free to build them exactly as they are or tweak the instructions and the supplies to fit the idea you had in mind.

Alan Blake is a passionate and proficient writer who loves exploring, learning, and sharing his findings in an engaging approach. He not only likes to keep up with SEO trends but also technology advancements. He currently works as a writer at MakeUseOf where he covers tech DIY among other niches.