Toy making supplies

[Birdbrain91]

I'm new at making toys or should I say I've never done it. I've been so scared that I'm going to get something toxic and kill my birds. It's not like they have bird toy supply stores in strip malls.

Can I use unstained and unpainted baskets, willow balls and other misc. wood items from Michaels or other craft stores? Most have an isle of unpainted crafts.

How about plastic chain and pony beads from craft stores?

Are baby toys safe for birds? Like big plastic gears, building blocks and teething toys without liquid and tiny balls.

My twins are in Girl Scouts and we are going to make toys for our local parrot rescue. I have a month to get supplies and ideas that would be easy for 10 year olds to do. We are the only ones that have birds so it's all on us.

Any suggestions will help Thanks

 

[ErichT]

I find baby toys and happy meal toys very successful. Be careful with the wood products at the craft stores unless they actually say what type it is.My fids love the baby toy rings .

 

[MomtoPercy]

Craft stores should sell all kinds of fund plastic or acrylic beads, which will be fun to use.

For wood, your best bet would be to go to a harware store and buy lengths of untreated pine to cut up at home.

Baby toys are great - just make sure that they're made from 'softer' plastic (not the hard brittle type that can break into sharop pieces).

 

[Birdbrain91]

I was thinking about making the foraging baskets any suggestions on where I can get baskets?

Any suggestions on simple toys that a 10 yr old can do?

 

[MomtoPercy]

I'm sure you could get baskets at craft stores or dollar stores. Just make sure they are not vanished or painted. My birdie loooves his baskets - first he forages for all the treats, then he destroys the toys and then the basket LOL! A basket lasts him about three days so make sure you find a reliable supplier

 

[BirdyMomma]

I found cardboard popcorn boxes at a dollar store, which I intend to fill with corn husk, shredded paper, nuts, clothes pegs etc.

I recently bought a toy that consists of a bunch of plastic baby spoons, hanging from a whiffle ball, and it has been a favorite of every one of my birds.

Corrugated cardboard, cardboard drink coasters and small cardboard boxes are always a hit.

Someone (genius) recently posted about making paper mâché foraging pinatas, and other items from paper mâché, and I cannot wait to try that!

 

[Anansi]

So paper mache is good? And are you guys saying the untreated wood pieces from Michael's aren't any good for parrots? (If so, I wish I'd seen this thread before yesterday! Ouch!)

 

[hacatta]

So paper mache is good? And are you guys saying the untreated wood pieces from Michael's aren't any good for parrots? (If so, I wish I'd seen this thread before yesterday! Ouch!)

Not the normal since the glue is poison.
Its is made by using flour and water.

http://www.parrotforums.com/do-yourself/6385-step-step-guide-parrot-pinata.html

Also the wood chould be good,just make sure to ask them what kind it is to make sure they can have it.
http://www.mdvaden.com/bird_page.shtml

 

[Anansi]

Thanks so much for those links! Much appreciated. Unfortunately, I never asked what wood type it was. I was just focused on whether or not it was varnished. Is it possible to tell by sight?

 

[riddick07]

I used to get a bamboo basket from Michaels that was safe. I order in bulk now from luckyclovertrading.com.

 

[hacatta]

The only way to be sure is to go back and ask them,or call the company that made them.
When a while back i want to the craft store, i asked about any wooden bead i picked up.
I am pretty sure she cried of relief when i left.

 

[Birdbrain91]

I'm going to the Dollar store today to look for baskets and the wicker balls. I have found dog rope toys that I've put fleese around it and made a swing. I hope this is safe for birds. I was thinking some girls could do this and some could do the baskets.

I will hit Michael's on Wendsday and look for the pony beads and the wooden balls.

We have 20 girls and I was planning 3 different stations so I was hoping to bring 60 toys to the rescue.

 

[Birdbrain91]

Oops I forgot to add the one and only toy I made. I thought it would be easy for the girls to make.

 

[hacatta]

it's really cute,i hope you can make a bunch of toys.
The rescue isn't going to know what hit them!

 

[Birdbrain91]

I found some Birch wheels, blocks and spools for my toy project. I know there was a post about coloring them so I will do that next weekend.

No one carries Lehigh rope and I know Blue Hawk isn't safe for birds so where is everyone getting their rope?

 

[Dinosrawr]

Thanks for asking this - I was wondering myself, too. I'd also read to be wary of any wood made in China based on the speculation that they may treat any of their woods that they ship with harsh chemicals because the rules over there are different. How accurate this is, I'm not sure. I'm sticking to just ordering pieces from a Canadian bird toy store.

Show us what else you make! I'd love some ideas

 

[Birdbrain91]

Does anyone know where I can get some bird safe rope?

I'm hoping Birch is safe. It's on the list for safe perches and it said the list is intended for perches only.

 

[Dinosrawr]

Birch is safe, yes, but I would recommend sanding the bark off (if any). It's only the bark that can cause health problems because of the salicylates within the bark that destroy red blood cells, but it's in such a tiny quantity that it's unlikely the bark would cause any problems to begin with. I have a paper birch in the back, so I use the branches off that for perches and just sand them down and wash them. If they're safe for perching, they should be safe for toys because generally we assume that perches are chewed on by most parrots.

As for bird safe rope, you could try any hardware stores. Just ask if the rope is treated or not. There's also Amazon, or a rock climbing stores may also sell some, but you'd have to double check if it's treated or not.

 

[lisa6373]

I wanted to make my own toys too, but was a little overwhelmed and unsure where to start. I ordered this kit from Amazon...haven't received it yet, but I like that it gives me a nice selection to play around with and I didn't have to make any of the decisions!


[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Super-Bird-Creations-Make-Medium/dp/B002V3D1B4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1395453808&sr=8-2&keywords=bird+toy+parts]Amazon.com: Super Bird Creations Make Your Own Bird Toy Kit, Medium: Pet Supplies[/ame]

 

[Amethyst]

Here's an idea: my husband made a simple, inexpensive toy for our parrot with rope and cardboard. He cut cardboard into medium size squares, then punched a hole in the center, thread a rope through the center hole and hung it in his cage. Our little guy loved it and chewed it up. He made enough squares to add more when the others were all chewed up.