How To Make A Hanging Mobile Using Old Toys

Learn how to make a hanging mobile to repurpose old toys!

This upcycled mobile is inexpensive to make and a great way to display your child’s collection of tiny toys and treasures.

I came up with this idea when I noticed that the bottom of my son’s toy chest was filled with little cars, tiny figures, and an array of plastic stuff! Some of the toys were broken but most of them had just been forgotten about.

I was ready to scoop them all up and throw them all out until I came up with the idea to make a hanging mobile and repurpose his toys into something fun and new for his bedroom.

Below are the steps I took to make one. I recommend that an adult do the assembling, like drilling, adding hook eye screws to toys, and stringing plastic lacing cord through the paddles, then recruit the kids to help string on the beads and toys.

Supplies

• 3 Paddle ball toys (remove and discard the elastic and rubber balls)
• 20-30 small toys
• Plastic lacing cord
• Pony beads
• Small metal picture hanging screw eyes
• Scissors
• A drill

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How to Make a Hanging Mobile Out Of Old Toys – 5 Easy Steps

Step 1:

Drill holes into tiny toys that don’t have a natural hole already. For some toys, it may make sense to just add a metal screw eye.

Step 2:

Cut four strands of colorful plastic lacing cord about 6 feet in length.

STEP 3:

Drill a hole into the center of each paddle and handle.

Tie a knot about 12 inches down on three of your cords and string paddles together — paddle to handle with the graphic side down — tying a knot about 1.5 inches above each paddle as you go. This will give space between the paddles so they look like they are hovering over each other.

Step 4:

With the three paddles strung together, add a center cord (mine is yellow in the photo below).

Now, tie all four cords together at the top (2 knots spaced about 1 inch apart). At this point, you should have four long cords hanging down.

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Step 5:

String toys and beads onto the lacing cords. Tie a loose knot after each toy or set of beads to stop all the toys and beads from running together on the string.

Hang up your mobile and enjoy.

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MORE CRAFTS TO TRY:

• Easy DIY Seashell Bracelet – No Drilling
• DIY Suede Flowers – Fashion Embellishment
• Felt Strawberry Magnets – Free Template & Labels
• Make a DIY Snowman Kit

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