Material Selection 

Step 1: Brainstorm

Take a look at your design, brainstorm what materials you may need for different parts of your toy.  You can look into CES selector, a materials selection software that allows you to do some basic material property analysis

Step 2: Which material?

Plastic

Pros:  Light, easily shaped, strong, inexpensive

Cons:  Non-biodegradable,  brittle when cold, melts in the heat

Metal

Pros: Strong, Durable

Cons: Costs more, susceptible to erosion

Wood

Pros: Cheap, Easy to Obtain,  Sustainable

Cons: Not very accurate, Can Splinter

Paper

Pros: Easy to Obtain, Fold into cool shapes

Cons: Tears easily, not durable

Cardboard

Pros: Easy to obtain, lightweight, recyclable

Cons:  Stronger in one direction than another,  not durable if under heavy use

Fabric

Pros: Good in tension, Durable

Cons: Can still rip

Step 3: Where can I get them?

Professor Finger and Hunt Basement Lending