Educational Toymaking for Children

Originally published in the 1920s, Educational Toymaking for Children in the School & the Home is intended to be of real service to parents and teachers who are entrusted with the arduous responsibility of child-training. It is with this object in view that the directions, drawings and photographs have been prepared.

The experience of almost twenty years as a teacher has convinced the author that only when the child approaches subject-matter with interest and enthusiasm can the best results be obtained. Giving a child an opportunity to make things, arouses his interest; therefore, learning by doing is a most effective method in gaining educational ends.

Toymaking incorporates this method, with several vital elements added. It takes into account the child's view-point, his proclivities and his emotions. It is a form of activity that appeals strongly to his fancy, has a direct relation to his environments, and is within the range of his mental grasp and constructive ability. His wonderful imagination endows the creatures of his handiwork with life, individuality and cunning. The toy problem is in harmony with the child's resourcefulness, his powers and his interests.

One advantage in connection with the kind of educational hand work presented in this book is that it can be carried on with very small and inexpensive equipment. Moreover, it is light, clean and agreeable in every respect. The tools are safe for a child to handle. The material is substantial and durable. The articles made are firm, strong and of lasting quality. They become an excellent means for providing an abundance of entertainment, and constitute most acceptable gifts, promoting as much genuine happiness for the industrious donor as for the fortunate receiver.

Contents Covered:

• Introduction
• Tools and Supplies
• Bow Drill
• Transferring Designs
• Woods
• Laying Out Work
• Sawing
• Fastening Bases
• Fastenings
• Coloring Toys
• Knots and Braids
• Working Drawings and Directions
  • The Buzzer
  • The Shark Puzzle
  • Duck
  • Goose
  • Wild Duck
  • Hen
  • Deer
  • Cow
  • Weasel
  • Tiger
  • Rocking Rhino
  • Minstrels
  • Squirrel
  • Pig
  • Kangaroo
  • Camel
  • Giraffe
  • Swan Rocker
  • Balancing Peacock
  • Toy Dog
  • Teddy Bear
  • Parrot
  • Doll's Hobby Horse
  • Stem Wheeler
  • The Weather-Cock
  • Arm-Chair and Rocking-Chair
  • Doll's Cradle
  • Doll's Bed
  • Doll's Table
  • Kites
  • Wood Choppers
  • The Bucking Goats
  • Pecking Hens
  • Acrobat
  • Climbing Sailor
  • The Jumping Jack
  • Balancing Barrister
  • The Dancing Rastus
  • The Spanking Esquimaux
  • Wabbler
  • Falling Teeter-Totter
  • Tumbling Tommie
  • The Busy Pup
  • The Dinkey Bird
  • Pelican Sewing Stand
  • Whirligig
  • The Cart
  • The Wagon
  • Flying Goose
  • The Dodo Bird
  • Rocking-Horse and Rider
  • Animated Elephant
  • The Bucking Mule
  • Fox-And-Goose Game
  • Nine Men's Mill
  • Disc Puzzle
  • Ball Puzzle