Learn how to make these no-sew octopus toys easily! This tutorial is so simple that even kiddos can make them as long as Mom helps with the hot glue part.
Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission at no extra cost to you. Read the full disclosure here.
Jump to What You Want
Printable Octopus Toy Tutorial
My kiddos are obsessed with stuffed animals. We have so many in our house that it looks like a stuffed animal rescue center (and we’ve donated tons of them in the past to declutter).
One way we’ve started to corral them are these awesome bean bags from Amazon! One large bag can hold A TON of them and it’s also my 2 youngest kiddos’ favorite new seat for family movie nights.
When they want to access the stuffed animals for playing or snuggling, they simply unzip the bag and pull out what they want. It is seriously a life saver if your home is being taken over by stuffed animals.
Of course, now that we have a great storage solution, I can indulge their love guilt-free by making things like these octopus toys.
No worries if you don’t have any sewing experience. These babies are no-sew and totally easy to make.
No-Sew Octopus Toys Supplies
2-Pair Pack of Striped Socks (Adult Size) – Dollar Tree
1 Bag of Rice – Dollar Tree
2 Resealable Plastic Bags (Sandwich Size)
Hair Ties – Dollar Tree
Ribbon of Choice (Mine was from Dollar Tree)
Hot Glue Gun
Googly Eyes – Dollar Tree
Makes 2 Octopus Toys
Step 1
Fill each resealable bag with half of the bag of rice. Then zip it tightly closed and wrap around itself.
Step 2
Next put each filled bag inside of a sock and mold it with your hands to form a ball for the head.
Step 3
Then use a hair tie and wrap it around the base of where the bag is in each sock as many times are you can.
Step 4
After your hair tie is attached, use your scissors to cut each sock down the middle so you have halves. Then cut the halves in half once more and cut those sections in half one last time so that you have 8 legs.
Cutting the tentacles this way also helps you easily keep them even without measuring.
Step 5
Next cut 2 pieces of ribbon roughly 8 inches long and tie it in a bow around the neck of each octopus toy.
Step 6
Lastly, glue googly eyes on each octopus toy with your hot glue gun. (This step is not for small children.)
Tips and Tricks
If your Dollar Tree is out of hair ties or you simply want to use items you already have, rubber bands will also work for this project. I do recommend choosing a color that goes well with your socks if possible in case the ribbon slips later since it isn’t glued in place.
Regular scissors will also work for cutting your socks but fabric scissors make it so much easier. However, if you work with fabric often, it might be worth it for you to invest in a pair now.
Once you know how to make these easy octopus toys, experiment with different sock patterns for your own unique take. Make a bunch of different ones to give as gifts to your favorite kiddos!
Printable Instructions
Easy No-Sew Octopus Toys
No special skills necessary to make these adorable no-sew octopus toys! Even better, find the materials you need to make them at your local Dollar Tree!
Materials
- Pair of Striped Socks (Adult Size) - Dollar Tree
- 1 Bag of Rice - Dollar Tree
- Fabric Scissors
- 2 Resealable Plastic Bags (Sandwich Size)
- Hair Ties - Dollar Tree
- Ribbon of Choice
- Hot Glue Gun
- Googly Eyes - Dollar Tree
Instructions
- Fill each resealable bag with half of the bag of rice. Then zip it tightly closed and wrap around itself.
- Next put each filled bag inside of a sock and mold it with your hands to form a ball for the head.
- Then use a hair tie and wrap it around the base of where the bag is in each sock as many times are you can.
- After your hair tie is attached, use your scissors to cut each sock down the middle so you have halves. Then cut the halves in half once more and cut those sections in half one last time so that you have 8 legs.
- Now, glue googly eyes on each octopus toy with your hot glue gun. (This step is not for small children.)
- Next cut 2 pieces of ribbon roughly 8 inches long and tie it in a bow around the neck of each octopus toy.
One of my favorite things about these no-sew octopus toys is that they have some weight to them. That makes them the perfect toy for children to put on their chest and snuggle when they’re feeling upset or anxious.
It’s a mini-version of a weighted blanket and so much cheaper.
Don’t Forget to Pin It!
More Dollar Store Crafts You’ll Love
DIY Dinosaur Mask Holder – Easy Dollar Tree Craft
Easy and Cheap Personalized Candles
Cute Spring Pizza Pan Wreath – Cookies, Coffee, and Crafts
Leave a Reply