This is for the kiddos. But if you’re an adult, make sure I’m not misleading them. I know plastic junk toys, made in China, are all the rage. But they don’t hold a homemade candle to do it yourself toys. Sure, they might not have pre-recorded whistles and bells. But you can replace all those with your own personalized sound effects.

And do it yourself toys can be found almost anywhere.

Yeah, go find me a nail, a rubber band, and an empty thread spool. And I’ll show you how to make a tank or bulldozer or steamroller. Or let’s grab a bag of clothespins, a footstool, and some end tables. And I’ll show you how to set up a fort and soldiers ready to defend it.

My younger brother and I lived with my grandparents for a while when we were still pre-schoolers. And my Grandmother would bring out her bag of wooden clothespins, some empty thread spools, and showed us how to “do it yourself.”

Simple ingredients for simple fun.

You don’t need the latest app or video game to have a ton-o-fun. Of course, those can be fun, and you might want them, but you don’t need them. You only need an imagination. If you use your imagination, your whole world can be like a giant video game. And I say D.I.Y. not? A broken tree limb becomes your magic walking stick that guides you to the hidden treasures of the world. A tiny triangle of paper becomes a football and two fingers become goal posts.

And here’s the best part. When you do it yourself, there’s the lasting feeling of knowing it was all yours. Plus, you’ll develop skills with your talents, and you might even create a work of art that others want. Who knows? Maybe you’ll still play video games, too.

But then, maybe they’ll be the ones you made. Cool.

Do it yourself toys beat all the rest
In ways you might not see.
They do things that apps and plastic can’t.
They show what you can be.

Make it yourself with a new idea,
A motor, and a wire.
You never know who might love your work
Or who you might inspire.

Challenge yourself to make some new things
That help you move and grow.
You might change the world, you never know,
That is…until you know.

If you enjoy what I share, join the growing body of believers who signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional , if you haven’t already. And I’ll send you daily flashes of light to help you focus on faith, hope, and love with me.

Stay tuned…