Learn How To Turn Your Child's Favorite Toys Into A Lamp They Can Use Forever

As children age, it can be hard to know what to do with their favorite toys once they stop playing with them. There will be a lot of sentimental attachment that our child will have to their toys, even if they no longer enjoy playing with them. You may want to consider turning your child's favorite toys into a work of art that they can cherish for years to come. Use the following guide to learn how to turn old toys into a great lamp kids can use forever with simple supplies you can find at any hardware store.

Supplies You'll Need

• Small Toys
• A Pole Lamp
• Permanent Glue
• Spray Paint
• Newspaper
• Painter's Tape
• Zip Ties
• Polyurethane Spray

Determine a Layout for the Toys

Action figures, dolls, or small animals are often the choices when it comes to the toys to use to make a unique lamp your child will cherish. You need to consider the layout for your lamp before you start gluing anything together. Larger toys need to be positioned toward the bottom of your lamp, while the smallest toys need to be positioned toward the top.

Attach the Toys

Apply permanent glue to a toy and to the pole of the lamp. Use a zip tie to pull the toy as close to the pole as possible and snip the end so that it is not overly visible. The entire lamp will be spray painted so the zip ties will not be visible when you are finished and they provide extra support to ensure that the toys do not fall away from the pole over time. Continue to attach the toys with the glue and then the zip ties until they are all attached.

Spray Paint the Lamp

Wrap newspaper around the socket of the lamp so that spray paint doesn't get into it. Hold the paper in place with painter's tape. Shake the spray paint for a few minutes to make sure the paint mixes and then paint the entire lamp with the paint. Be sure that the paint goes between every crack and crevice of the toys so that the entire lamp is one unified color. Black or white paint often makes a bold statement, but any color will work.

Protect the Paint

Once the paint has dried for an hour, spray a coat of the polyurethane spray onto the lamp to protect the paint from chipping or fading over time.

Allow the lamp to dry overnight before placing it in to your child's room. The lamp will serve as a statement piece that your child can use throughout his or her life. It will always be something that will bring fond memories for them and remind them how much time and effort you put into being a great parent to them.