DIY Crinkle Tag Toy for Baby

Tag toys are popular baby toys!!! 

Why are tag toys popular?  It's a known fact that babies love to play with non-playthings like the toy's packaging or the tag on the fabric toy instead of the toy itself.  This inspired the idea of tag toys.

Lots of different types of tag toys are sold at brick-and-mortar stores and online stores like Amazon and Etsy.  They aren't cheap.  But if you have a little time, you can make a tag toy yourself; costing almost nothing.

A DIY tag toy doesn't require much skill to make and can be completed in less than 30 minutes.  It's a fun, easy, creative and inexpensive project even for someone with very little sewing experience.  

It, also, makes an awesome gift for babies and baby showers.

Learn how to make your own crinkle tag baby toy with scrap fabric, leftover ribbon and trim, and a surprising upcycled material that makes a crinkling sound by watching this video or continue reading this post for a photo tutorial with step-by-step instructions.

This tag toy is so easy and inexpensive to make, it’s ridiculous. Since this tag toy only requires straight stitching, it's super easy.  Since it only needs a small amount of fabric, ribbon and trim; it's inexpensive.

Let's sew a tag toy!!!!

The tag toy in this tutorial ends up being about 7” square without the tags.  

here's WHAT YOU NEED to make a tag toy:

• 2 pieces - 8" squares of fabric
• 1 piece - 9" square of crinkle paper
• 12 - 4" pieces of assorted ribbon and/or trim
• Rattle or teething toy
• Scissor
• Ruler
• Sewing Clips
• As with most sewing projects, you need pins, thread and sewing machine

INSTRUCTIONS for sewing a crinkle tag toy:

STEP 1: gather supplies

From the fabric cut two 8" squares.  For the fabric, it is fine to use the same fabric for both sides.  However, I recommend using two different fabrics to add more texture.  You can use cotton, Minky, terry cloth, velour, satin, fleece—basically anything that has an interesting texture.

You will need twelve 4" long tabs which can be ribbon, lace, bias tape, rick rack, or other interesting embellishments.  Just make sure that the material doesn’t fray.  Pick different textures, fabrics and colors. 

A sheet of crinkle paper.  Crinkle paper can be purchased on Amazon and Etsy.  But a safe, easy and inexpensive alternative is to do what I am doing and upcycling a plastic bag from a cereal box.  Also, you can use crackers or snack bags.  When using a food bag be sure to thoroughly wash and dry it before it is used.  Cut a 9" square of crinkle paper.

STEP 2: Arranging Tag Pieces around the edge of the Tag toy

Lay one of your 8” squares of fabric, right-side up, on the work surface. Using a ruler measure 4” from one corner, and place a pin.

Take one of the ribbon pieces,  fold it in half, insert the toy and place the ribbon down on top of the pin – aligning the center of the ribbon with the pin extending the raw edge of the ribbon slightly beyond the raw edge of the fabric.  Pin it in place. 

Place and pin one folded tag to the left and right of the center ribbon making sure to space them out evenly.

Make sure the folded side of the tags is facing toward the middle of the piece of fabric.Repeat with all the tags on the remaining three sides. 

STEP 3: sewing tags in place

Go to the sewing machine and use a straight stitch to secure all the tags in place by sewing ¼” from the edge removing the pins as you sew.  Sew down the ribbons on all sides.

STEP 4: Layer Fabric Squares and Crinkle Paper

Now take the tag piece and center it on top of the crinkle paper.

Then take your second fabric square, and place it, right-side-down, on top of the piece of fabric with the attached tags.  Aligning all the edges of the two fabric pieces. Clip or pin them in place.

STEP 5: Sewing Layers Together

Using a straight stitch on the sewing machine and a 1/2” seam allowance,

sew all the way around the edge of the toy but leave a 3” opening in the middle of one of the sides to allow you to turn the toy right side out.  Backstitch at the beginning and end of the stitching.

STEP 6: Trim and Turn the Toy Right Side Out

Trim the crinkle paper and ribbons even with the fabric squares and clip the corners on a diagonal to remove some of the bulk fabric.  IMPORTANT: DON’T clip into the stitching.

Turn the whole thing right side out through the opening. Iron the square, taking care to turn the opening’s edges inwards. Then pin the opening closed.

STEP 7: Edgestitch

Edgestitch about ¼” from the edge around the whole tag toy.  This not only closes the opening but also reinforces the tags so little exploring hands can’t pull them out.

STEP 8: final step

Lastly, use a ruler and your favorite marking tool (my favorite marking tool is a Clover Chaco Liner Pen) draw two diagonal lines from corner to corner making an “X”.  

Go to the sewing machine and stitch along these lines, backstitching at the beginning and end.

Give the crinkle tag toy another good pressing, and it's finished! Your baby toy is now ready for your baby to enjoy!

Needlepointers.com hopes you enjoyed this Baby Crinkle Tag Toy tutorial. Below is another version of this crinkle tag toy created by Wendy Heim.

Photo by Wendy Heim

Pin this tutorial so you have it for the next time you need to make a gift for a newborn or baby shower.  And follow our DIY baby board on Pinterest for even more ideas from around the web.

A few popular baby sewing ideas

• Contoured Burp Cloths
• I Spy Quilt
• Baby Bandana Bib Pattern - Stich up these bibs for baby in less than 30 minutes!