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DIY Clipping Toy: Road Trip Sanity with a Toddler

1 June 2010 27 Comments

This buckle, clipping toy kept my toddler (17m) entertained for hours! I was inspired to make this one morning at the park, when all the other kids were playing with the slides and the swings and the two toddlers at the park were hunched in deep concentration over a stroller, buckling and unbuckling the straps. This is a great addition to our activity bag, especially as we were anticipating a long cross-country road trip. I am so thankful we made this, this and the “I Spy Shaking Bottle” were two of the toys that held my daughter’s attention!

What you’ll need to create your own buckle clipping toy:

Plastic Buckles (I found mine for a few bucks off ebay)
Various ribbon scraps
Two pieces of fabric – we used canvas as it was sturdy
Other fun items (we added a pacifier, a bell, a key-chain, a zipper. I can also see this being a hit with various sizes and textures of Velcro).
Sewing machine and thread.

How to make this toddler learning toy:

First, I threaded the buckles through the ribbon and affixed them to the right side of the fabric, or the side I wanted to be visible. Then, I pinned the other piece of canvas (pretty side in) and sewed along the edge, leaving one side open, like a pillowcase. We clipped the corners and turned the “pillowcase” inside out. Now the buckles, which had been pinned on the inside of the two pieces of canvas, are on the outside. I reinforced the seams with another straight stitch along the outside, added a zipper and viola! I love homemade toys. Our toddler has had hours of fun clipping and unclipping these buckles!

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Want to see another version? Miss M from Splendidly Imperfect created her own clipping toy. She added a snap, and some blocks to hers! It looks great! Here’s the photo she sent our way. Check out her blog for other crafty ideas.

27 Comments »

Ticia said:

love this idea. I wonder if my kids would play with it enough for me to make it……

# 1 June 2010 at 9:27 am

Rachael Davis said:

I want some buckles!! This is the PERFECT toy – somehow, strangely occupies them, while working on those fine motor skills!! I can’t wait to make one of these for the car.

# 1 June 2010 at 12:48 pm

Julia said:

Hooray! I just salvaged a buckle from an old bike helmet. What a great way to use buckles!

# 1 June 2010 at 2:15 pm

The Activity Mom said:

That turned out great! Very clever!
The Activity Mom´s last blog ..Letter Font Sort

# 1 June 2010 at 2:26 pm

Shelley Wright said:

I would love some buckles. This is brilliant. Would entertain my daughter forever and make a great 1st birthday present for my niece.

# 1 June 2010 at 4:40 pm

Michelle said:

This is such a great idea, Emily loves practicing doing those buckles!
Michelle´s last blog ..Having Fun Learning

# 1 June 2010 at 8:44 pm

Christine said:

This is a great idea. I’ve actually seen those buckle stuffed animals, they retail for around $30. I never thought of trying to do it myself! I was actually blogging about road trips this morning too. If you have buckles left over after you send the other ones out, I would love some!!
Christine´s last blog ..Menu Plan Monday, it’s back!

# 2 June 2010 at 6:36 am

JDaniel4's Mom said:

I passed this on to my friend Shannon and she offered to make me one.

# 2 June 2010 at 9:16 am

Amaria said:

I love your site- i visit “for a quick look” and always end up staying for ages! This is such a brilliantly simple idea. Thanks for sharing it.
Amaria´s last blog ..Magnetic Wooden Dolls, complete family

# 3 June 2010 at 12:52 am

Shan said:

What a great idea!!! Everywhere we go my almost 2 year old finds buckles to clip together. And since he is still little it takes him a lil while and a lot of concentration. thanks for sharing this

# 7 June 2010 at 4:36 pm

Ang said:

Would love buckles to make this! We have a long cross country plane trips coming up and I think it will be a rough one (will be on my own for 3 of the flights with our toddler). Last trip as a lap child too so will definitely be tight with an active guy. He loves playing with his car seat and stroller buckles.

# 9 June 2010 at 11:04 am

Wendy said:

This is so brilliant! I can’t wait to make one of these for my mechanical little guy (21 mo.).
Wendy´s last blog ..Project 365 2010: Week 17

# 9 June 2010 at 12:57 pm

Some Crafty Projects I Want to Try | Wendolonia said:

[...] Buckle Clipping Toy — I think Augie would be in heaven if I made him one of these! He loves anything mechanical or gadget-y and this is something that could keep him occupied for hours, especially if I added a couple of zippers to the mix. [...]

# 9 June 2010 at 1:34 pm

Amy said:

Just hopped over from ParentHacks. I love this toy, it’s so simple and clever! And I would love some buckles so I can try my hand at it. Thanks for sharing.

# 9 June 2010 at 3:54 pm

Lady in a Smalltown said:

I have been working stuff out like this in my mind. My son is only 13 months, but I would love to get started now so it is ready when he is. I am also looking at your activity box/bag. I have seen so many cool “quiet books” but I thought I would rather make a few pages at a time, so I am going to get a canvas tote and make things to fit in it.

Thanks for the great ideas!
Lady in a Smalltown´s last blog ..Do you owe an apology to anyone? Why?

# 9 June 2010 at 8:04 pm

DIY Clipping Toy: Road Trip Sanity with a Toddler said:

[...] via quirkymomma.com [...]

# 10 June 2010 at 1:21 pm

judean said:

This is brilliant! I’d love some buckles, if you have any left…

# 11 June 2010 at 12:41 pm

Things to Write Home About – 6/13/10 | Feels Like Home said:

[...] at Quirky Momma posted a DIY buckle toy for [...]

# 13 June 2010 at 2:01 pm

Miss M! said:

Thank you for sharing this. I made one but took some liberties with your instructions because I don’t follow directions well. I also added a strap to hold it closed.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3Jnfl6X50i8/TBcJKKJILKI/AAAAAAAAFDY/Ro9SpofTkHw/s1600/IMG_6447.JPG

# 15 June 2010 at 12:35 am

admin said:

That’s awesome! I love it!

# 15 June 2010 at 6:53 am

Ashley Scheffler said:

I love this!! My son is 21 months and would adore this! Do you have any buckles left?? I would appreciate them so much!
Ashley Scheffler´s last blog ..Over the top challenge

# 15 June 2010 at 11:47 pm

Carrie Connelly said:

I love to sew, and I think my grandson would love this. He lives In Africa and is 18 months old. He has spent many hours on airplanes. I think his folks would find this toy very useful. Please send me some buckles if you have any left. If not send me the link where I can get more.
Thanks

# 16 June 2010 at 5:42 pm

Make a buckler toy said:

[...] Quirky Momma invented this clipping toy after watching her 17-month old stay focused and entertained buckling (and unbuckling!) stroller straps during a playground trip. She ordered a few supplies from eBay and made The Buckler in an afternoon. Learn about what you need and how to create your own > [...]

# 11 July 2010 at 8:40 am

Jennifer said:

Yes, I would love a few buckles to make this. Thanks!!

# 12 July 2010 at 3:14 pm

Suzanne said:

I am so not crafty! Could I buy one of these buckle clipping toy pre-made??
We have a 6 hr plane ride coming up in Aug.
you’re a genius!!!

# 15 July 2010 at 11:52 pm

Erin @ Letter Soup said:

Ah! This is genius! Now I just need to see if I can come up a quickie version for our trip tomorrow!

# 3 August 2010 at 9:46 pm

Jodi said:

this idea is so great! my son is obsessed with buckles too. i made one andjust he loves it!! i added a zipper so it can hold his little cars and things.

# 30 August 2010 at 11:21 pm