Create a set of fun play binoculars and go exploring! These DIY kids’ toy binoculars are so easy and quick to make — and kids can customize their set with paint, stickers, markers, and more. A super fun afternoon activity!

Making things with kids is not always easy and it’s not always clean — but it’s almost always worth it!

I love this DIY kids’ toy binocular set because it’s such a great project to do with kids. It’s easy enough that they can do it almost all on their own, and when they’re done they have a toy that they can use for imaginative, open-ended play.

It’s a win-win!

Reasons to Try this DIY Kid’s Toy

This is a simple little project, but there are so many reasons to try this out with your kids.

First, it demonstrates the importance of upcycling and using what we have already, to give old things new life. When we craft with upcycled items like cardboard tubes or boxes, it’s a great opportunity to open a conversation about protecting Earth’s resources with our kiddos.

Secondly, it’s a project that serves two purposes! In the process of making, your child gets to flex creative muscles and take ownership over the project. And in addition to that, the final product is a toy they can play with which encourages creativity and imagination. They have something to show, be proud of, and actually use!

And finally, it’s incredibly easy to make, with just a few steps. It’s a low-pressure project that you can finish in about 30 minutes.

More Kid-Friendly Craft Projects

We love DIY kids’ toys and all kinds of kid-friendly craft projects around here! Kids are some of the most creative people on the planet, so let’s give them lots of opportunities to use that creativity, right?

Keep these other craft project ideas on your radar when you’re looking for an activity with kids.

Ideas for Imaginative Play with Your DIY Binoculars

Once they’re made, you can use these DIY kids’ toy binoculars in so many ways!

Take kids on a nature walk with their binoculars and look for birds, bugs, and other creatures.
Play a game of hide-and-seek in the backyard, where the seeker has to use binoculars.
Take the binoculars to the park and see what the kids can spot from the top of the tallest climbing structure.
Use them for something completely different by creating a tunnel for toy cars!

Materials You’ll Need

This project is so fun and whimsical, but takes only a few supplies! You probably have everything you need already around your house.

Be sure to raid your craft stash and your recycling to find the supplies you’ll need to make this cute DIY kids’ toy.

Materials

Two cardboard tubes (empty toilet paper rolls, or one empty cardboard roll cut in half)
Craft paint
Paintbrushes
Low-temp glue gun
Ribbon or yarn

The Best Tool for Crafting with Kids

Before we dive in, I just have to give a shout out to my favorite tool for crafting with kids — the low temperature glue gun!

While regular glue guns get hot enough to burn skin easily (see: all of the scars on my hands), a low temp glue gun gets hot enough to melt cool touch glue sticks, but not burn skin. It runs about 75 degrees cooler than a standard glue gun.

This makes it a great tool to use for kids, because their little hands are safer as they learn to handle crafting supplies.

How to Make DIY Kid’s Toy Binoculars

Now let’s make some DIY kids’ toy binoculars and start playing!

To start, paint two cardboard tubes in fun colors or patterns. Allow to dry. If you don’t want to wait for the paint to dry, you could substitute this step with markers or stickers.
Then, glue the two tubes together with a strip of hot glue from your low-temp glue gun.
Next, measure a strip of ribbon (or yarn) around the neck; make it long enough that the binoculars will rest at mid-torso once hung around the neck.
Glue one end of the ribbon inside the top of one tube; glue the other end inside the top of the other tube. If you prefer, you can punch holes in the tubes and tie the ribbons through the holes as an alternative to glue.

Take It Up a Notch: DIY Wooden Kid’s Toys

If you love these ideas, try your hand at creating something that’s a little more challenging! We have a library of really fun DIY wooden kids’ toys that are so colorful and fun to play with!

And if you try out our DIY binoculars, be sure to rate the DIY below. Have fun! xoxo

DIY Kids' Toy Binoculars

Yield: DIY Toy Binoculars

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

These DIY kids' toy binoculars are so charming and fun, but a total snap to make!

Materials

Cardboard tubes
Paint
Ribbon or yarn

Tools

Scissors
Paintbrushes

Instructions

To start, paint two cardboard tubes in fun colors or patterns. Allow to dry. If you don't want to wait for the paint to dry, you could substitute this step with markers or stickers.
Then, glue the two tubes together with a strip of hot glue from your low-temp glue gun.
Next, measure a strip of ribbon (or yarn) around the neck; make it long enough that the binoculars will rest at mid-torso once hung around the neck.
Glue one end of the ribbon inside the top of one tube; glue the other end inside the top of the other tube. If you prefer, you can punch holes in the tubes and tie the ribbons through the holes as an alternative to glue.

Notes

Before we dive in, I just have to give a shout out to my favorite tool for crafting with kids -- the low temperature glue gun!