6 Playful Upcycling Ideas For Old Toys

All kids grow up sooner or later, but when that time comes, what happens to that old toy box overflowing with stuffed animals, dolls, and other toys? Just throwing them all away seems like a huge waste, and we definitely don’t want to have another Toy Story situation on our hands! Luckily, most old toys are great for upcycling! Chic shoes, handy kitchen gadgets, and fashionable jewelry – these 6 upcycling ideas will breathe new life into the old legos and teddy bears that you thought were just going to get left behind!

1. Spice Up Your Shoes

You'll Need:

  • 2 of the same action figure
  • 1 pair of high heels
  • drill
  • glue

Here's How:

Drill a hole in 2 action figures (we used dinosaurs) in the same spot. Guide the heel of each shoe into and through the holes. If necessary, secure the action figures with glue so that they stay in place. These playful, stylish shoes will stop people in their tracks with their eye-catching creativity!

2. Do The Dishes With Barbie

You'll Need:

  • Barbie doll
  • scissors
  • hot glue
  • hair donut

Here's How:

Cut the hair off of a Barbie doll and glue a hair donut onto her head using a hot glue gun. It might sound a little crazy at first, but trust us – it works! The hair donut will transform your old Barbie doll into a dish brush that works really well for cleaning dishes and looks super stylish!

3. Snuggly Tissue Holder

You'll Need:

  • stuffed animal (ideally with a tail)
  • box cutter
  • tissues
  • Velcro strips

Here's How:

Cut open the back of the stuffed animal you'll be transforming into a tissue holder and make a second cut under the tail of the stuffed animal. Remove the stuffing through the slit in its back and replace it with tissues. Pull the first tissue out of the opening under the stuffed animal's tail and close the slit on its back with velcro. Isn't this the most huggable tissue box you've ever seen? It's the perfect companion for cozy evenings on the couch!

4. Cute Candle Holder

You'll Need:

  • small plastic toys or action figures
  • birthday candle holders
  • food color spray
  • birthday candles

Here's How:

It's super easy to make unique candle holders out of small plastic toys or old action figures! Drill a hole in the plastic toy and slide a birthday candle holder into the hole, securing it with glue if necessary. Fill a bowl with water, spray the top of the water with food color spray, and dip the decorative candle holder in. Let the food color spray dry and put a candle into your new, custom-made holder.

5. Charm Made From Legos

You'll Need:

  • Legos with a hole
  • chain necklace or bracelet 

Here's How:

Put a Lego that has a built-in hole onto a chain necklace or bracelet, and you're suddenly wearing a brand new accessory! If you have 2 Legos with holes, you can even make a pair of friendship necklaces out of them!

6.Fluffy Doorstop

You'll Need:

  • stuffed animal
  • box cutter
  • stones
  • needle & thread

Here's How:

Cut the bottom of a stuffed animal open, replace the stuffing with some stones, then sew the opening closed. Now you've got a cute little pal to keep your doors open for you!

These upcycling ideas are so imaginative and fun, you'll start counting down the days until your kids outgrow their toy collection just so you can try them out!

Get the instructions for the 4 Creative Repurposed Toys, 4 Cool Lego Hacks, and 2 Fun Lego Crafts featured in the bonus video.

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