Playing with different things from a young age can develop into a lifelong passion. It could be cars, trains, planes, animals, farm toys, instruments, or various types of sport. So, it is a good idea to give children lots of options and then gently encourage them to pursue their interests.

One of the best things to keep in mind as well is you don’t need to get rid of all the toys as kids grow up. In fact, you can take many of them to the next level. You could create a diorama and have a complete scene such as a farm or a train line. It’s a fun thing to do and gives the kids a chance to be creative and design it.

What is a diorama?

Dioramas are 3D scenes, typically scale models. They’re a fantastic tool for education and entertainment. Their history is amazing as well. Over the years they’ve been useful for celebrating historic events, railroads, landscapes, and urban settings. They have been a feature in countless museums and hobby rooms all around the world. In addition, film makers made them for numerous projects, including documentaries and blockbuster movies.

Using farm toys to make a diorama is a really great idea because it can give things like animals, vehicles, and buildings a new lease of life. You can create a realistic scale scene, including fields, roads, animals, and people.

Top tips

If you like the idea of creating a diorama, we’ve got some advice for you. It can help you to create the perfect scene.

Firstly, make sure you choose a strong base. Ensure you consider the weight of the toys and materials you’ll be using; the base needs to support them. Plywood is a good choice, especially if you choose thicker sheets. It offers some impressive benefits, including affordable prices, warp resistance, durability, and a surprisingly low weight.

Roads and paths are essential features for farm dioramas. They make it feel like a proper scale model of the real world. Getting a realistic look is surprisingly easy too. Start off with cork mat and cut it into the shape you want, remembering that roads and paths are rarely perfectly straight. If you paint it grey and use a little cement powder, you’ll get a great finish with the texture of a real road or path.

Another important feature for dioramas of farms is dirt tracks. They make it look like farm toys like tractors and vehicles have really driven into fields. Creating them is quite fun. You’ll want to start by making paper mache with tissue paper and glue. Place it where you want the tracks and let it harden. Then, do a final coat of glue and use some cement powder to get the colour and texture you want.

If you want to create realistic looking grass verges, the process is similar to dirt tracks. You’ll likely need a few more layers of paper mache so you get the height. Finish them with static grass.

One of the things people love about the countryside is the old stone walls. They give an indication of the history. You’ll definitely want to replicate them in your diorama. A good way to do this is to create a simple mould with Lego and grease-proof paper. Then, create a mix of gravel and glue. Fill the mould and let it dry to create your wall. A little extra glue can help to hold it in place.

Once you’re happy with the basic scene, you’re ready to place your vehicles, buildings, animals, and people. The goal should be to make it look like a real working farm.

Talk to us if you want farm toys

JS Hubbuck Ltd has been a proud family business for several generations. We know how fantastic it can be to see children grow up around farming and get a real passion for it. That is the best way to ensure the future of the industry.

Farm toys are wonderful if you want to inspire and teach children. That’s especially true if you choose accurate vehicles like products from Bruder. They can be the basis for dioramas in the future too.

So, if you want great products, speak to us. We have a massive range, including clothing, fertilise, and much more.