Games. Ringtoss. Glue a small, straight stick, as a piece of a broom handle, upright to a flat board or disk. Make rings of several sizes from willow or other flexible branches, tied with raffia or cord; or use embroidery hoops, or rims from cheese boxes, hat boxes, small kegs. Any of these may be wound with raffia, strips of colored cloth, or ribbon.
Faba Gaba. Make bean bags of different sizes. Make a frame by nailing four strips together and nailing two strips across this square to divide it into four holes. This may be varied by (a) making the holes of uneven dimensions; (b) making a larger frame and dividing into six or nine even or uneven dimensions; (c) making three or four concentric or contiguous circles.
Grace Hoops. Make hoops as for ringtoss, about twelve inches in diameter. Make sticks about two feet long, half-inch diameter, of straight young branches, old toy brooms, old curtain rods; or buy them at the carpenter shop. Rings and sticks may be wound as in ringtoss.
Colored balls. Crochet covers of colored string or embroidery silk for rubber balls, or sew segments of colored linen or silk together for cover. Select carefully a series of true prismatic colors,—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet. Attach a string of the braided cord, silk or fabric. These are washable and more sanitary than the worsted balls.
Toys. Mechanical toys that children make themselves are of educational value, as well as interest. In making their own mechanical toys the children learn the significance of many principles in physics, and are able to apply these in a variety of ways. Some children will thus discover principles for themselves.
Toy theaters, with shifting scenery and curtains that can be pulled back or rolled up and down
Toy elevators that will work up and down to carry passengers
Toy pendulum clocks that will tick
Toy derricks that will haul up a load of sand, coal, or bricks, and empty these