How to Design a Movable Toy for Kids

Sketch out some basic ideas for the toy you plan to build or have a third party build. When it comes to movable parts, consider parts that aren't overly small, thus allowing smaller hands to grasp larger parts more easily. Take color into consideration (brighter colors are more attractive) and the age group or sex the toy will cater to.

Indicate the overall size of the toy on paper by jotting down the dimensions. Indicate the direction(s) the movable part will move in by drawing directional arrows (up, down, across). Transfer your sketch to the graph paper that will serve as the blueprint for building the toy.

Draw the toy to scale on the graph paper and write in the length, width and height measurements on the side, using the ruler to help give you a sense of scale. Draw the toy from several angles to provide a more in depth guide, and indicate the moveable part(s) on the graph paper by again drawing directional arrow indicators and showing the distance the movable part will move. For example, show the up and down distance a plow will move on a toy tractor.