Create a Frankentoy
Combine parts from old toys and recyclable materials to build a new Frankentoy, using glue, tape, and decoration to explore creativity and simple engineering.
About this activity
Combine parts from old toys and recyclable materials to build a new Frankentoy, using glue, tape, and decoration to explore creativity and simple engineering.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Spread the protective mat or newspaper on your workspace.
- 2
Step 2
Gather all the materials and place them on the mat.
- 3
Step 3
Choose one sturdy old toy to be your Frankentoy's body.
- 4
Step 4
Pick a fun theme or name for your Frankentoy.
- 5
Step 5
Find extra parts from other toys and recyclables that match your theme.
- 6
Step 6
Ask an adult to help you remove stuck pieces or trim parts safely.
- 7
Step 7
Arrange the parts on the body until you like the layout.
- 8
Step 8
Attach one part at a time to the body using glue or tape.
- 9
Step 9
Press each attached part firmly for a few seconds so it sticks.
- 10
Step 10
Add recyclable pieces like cardboard or bottle caps to strengthen any weak joints.
- 11
Step 11
Let glue dry completely before touching the glued areas.
- 12
Step 12
Decorate your Frankentoy with colouring materials stickers and googly eyes.
- 13
Step 13
Gently test moving parts for sturdiness and ask an adult to help fix anything loose.
- 14
Step 14
Take a photo and share your finished Frankentoy on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do you make a Frankentoy by combining old toys and recyclables?
Start by gathering old toys and clean recyclables, then choose parts that fit together. Lay pieces out and sketch a simple design. Temporarily attach parts with masking tape or removable glue to test balance and moving parts. Once happy, secure joints with a child-safe craft glue or, for older kids with adult help, hot glue. Add decorative elements—paint, stickers, googly eyes—and let all glue and paint dry fully before play.
What materials do I need to build a Frankentoy?
Collect old toys, recyclable items (bottle caps, cardboard, fabric scraps), non-toxic craft glue, masking tape, and strong tape. Add scissors, a small screwdriver, pliers, and sandpaper to smooth rough edges. Decorations include paints, brushes, markers, stickers, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, and ribbons. For older kids and with supervision, a hot-glue gun or small screws can be useful. Also have cleaning supplies, a work mat, and adult supervision for any sharp tools.
What ages is the Frankentoy activity suitable for?
This activity suits different ages with supervision adjusted: toddlers (3–5) can sort parts, stick stickers, and use tape with a caregiver nearby. Elementary kids (6–9) can plan designs, cut soft materials, and use non-toxic glue independently. Tweens and teens (10+) can handle more complex assembly, hot glue, small screws, and creative engineering challenges with adult help for power tools. Always watch for choking hazards and unsafe parts.
What safety tips should I follow when making a Frankentoy?
Safety first: remove batteries and electrical parts, check for sharp metal or broken plastic, and sand or cover edges. Choose non-toxic paints and glues for young children, and keep strong adhesives or hot glue for adult-supervised steps. Work on a protected surface with good ventilation when painting. Keep small pieces away from children under three to prevent choking. Supervise tool use, wear safety glasses when cutting or drilling, and teach kids to wash hands after crafting.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use instead of glue or tape if we don't have them?
If you don't have glue or tape for the attach step (step 8), secure parts temporarily with strong string, pipe cleaners, twist ties, or reusable zip ties and reinforce weak joints with cardboard or bottle caps as suggested in step 10.
Parts keep coming loose—what should we try?
If parts won't stick or joints are floppy, ask an adult to remove stuck pieces or trim parts safely (step 6), press each attached part firmly after gluing or taping (step 9), add cardboard or bottle caps to strengthen weak joints (step 10), and let glue dry completely before testing (step 11).
How can I adapt the activity for different age groups?
For ages 3–5 have an adult pre-remove stuck pieces and let the child arrange and tape large recyclables and stickers (steps 6, 7, 8, 12), for 6–9 let them trim with safety scissors and glue parts with supervision (steps 5–9), and for 10+ encourage building moving joints and reinforcing with cardboard or bottle caps and photographing the result for DIY.org (steps 10, 13, 14).
How can we make the Frankentoy more special or challenging?
Personalize and extend the project by painting and adding googly eyes or stickers (step 12), installing small battery LED lights or creating movable joints reinforced with bottle caps or cardboard (steps 10, 12), and build a cardboard diorama to stage the photo for DIY.org (step 14).