Little Halloween Silicone Teether Toy

 

This year will be the first Halloween for my smallest pumpkin and my littlest nephew.  They're too little for trick or treating and both have teeth coming in, so I decided to make them something they could still "taste" for the occasion: a  

Silicone Halloween Teether Toy.

Who wouldn't want a colorful bat, spooky ghost,

 

or a jolly pumpkin to nibble on when those itchy gums are getting them down?

 

 

It goes right onto all our favorite things like the stroller belly bar, playmat bar, activity tray...

 

 

..and car seat handle.  It's been great for keeping the smalls busy on the go and adding a little Halloween festivity to the everyday.

 

I fell in love with making silicone teethers and pacifier clips when my 2yr old was a baby and I've gotten into it again this go round.  I shared some of the other cute ones I made & tips I've learned here. 

I find it a really enjoyable craft, pretty inexpensive and super practical.  They're fun for little hands to grab, comforting for those drooly, need-to-chew gums, incredibly easy to clean and very hard wearing.  The ones from my 2 yr old are still like brand new.  And because food grade silicone is so durable, once they outgrow the teether phase, the beads can be reused to make jewelry, key chains or DIY hairbands like the ones I've made below.  

Extra long life for crafted holiday items = win to me!

 

 

There are a lot of variations in materials and techniques for silicone teether toys out there.  Some is good, some a bit questionable.  I'm sharing the key bits I've learned that help get consistent and safer results.

Quick Disclaimer: I make mine for personal use and am not affiliated with any suppliers mentioned.  Obviously small objects and beads can present a choking hazard to young children, so this type of toy is intended for supervised use only.  I only use them attached to the car seat, stroller, high chair or activity center while someone is watching baby.   

Materials:
- Silicone pendant teether
- (5) 15mm round silicone beads

- (2) silicone focal beads
- 1 yd 1.5mm wide satin cord
- Breakaway safety clasp

Tools: Lighter, Scissors, ruler, silicone mat, 

large upholstery/crafting needle, silicone thimble

 

I buy my supplies from a number of sources, but since I'm using them to make things for little ones, I always make sure they have safety certification, silicone items are graded food safe and everything is CPSIA compliant.  I bought the cute pumpkin pendant, bat & ghost focal beads from My Pretty Posh Princess and my cord, breakaway clasp & round beads from Cara & Co.  

 

Also keep in mind that selling handmade teething items for babies requires further safety testing of the final item (which differs from country to country).  It is NOT as simple as just buying a bunch of beads, stringing them cutely and listing them as baby items on Etsy, despite countless people doing just that.  It's always a good idea to check when buying items like this from small time sellers.   

 

 

I folded my cord in half and slipped it through the hole in my pendant toy using a lark's head knot (as shown) and then did an overhand knot (which will end up inside the first bead):

 

I used (5) 15mm round and (2) focal beads for my toy strand.  Laying them out in advance to make sure the order looks good before stringing is always a smart move.  If choosing different sized beads it's also good to make sure the full length of the finished teether will be 22cm (8.6inches) or less, not including the clasp bit, to avoid being a strangulation hazard.

 

I heated up the ends of my satin cord with a lighter and then pressed them flat with my silicone mat & thimble so it would be easier to thread both ends on my upholstery needle. 

The bead hole can be very snug when it comes to threading two cords through, so using this kind of needle really helps.  I pulled the bead down firmly to make sure it covered my overhand knot.

 

 

Then I did an overhand with an extra pass through just above the bead & pulled the cords tight.  A square knot or surgeon's knot would also be good options:

 

I repeated this between all the beads, and with a knot inside each bead, to keep things strong & secure.

 

 

After the last knot above the top bead, I threaded the ends of my breakaway clasp on the two cords.  Then made overhand knots on each, 2 inches from the bead strand's last knot, so it would easily fit on the various belly bars and handles of our stroller, car seat, etc.  I cut the excess cord and heated up the little stub of the raw end with the lighter and pressed it into the knot to fuse it and slipped the clasp ends over them.

  

Then I thoroughly washed the teethers before being used and then we were ready for some Halloween teething fun.  Now everyone in our house gets a little seasonal treat this year! 

Sew Can Do waives all responsibility and liability from the use of teethers made following the information in this post.   Readers are responsible for making sure that teethers meet the appropriate safety requirements for their country/region and understand that by using suggestions from the above post, that they assumes any and all responsibility & liability for the use of the toys made.