Natural Toys

By Stephanie Mendelson
Published on May 1, 1981
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These bark boats were made from small strips of bark, upright twigs for masts, and strips of paper for sails.
These bark boats were made from small strips of bark, upright twigs for masts, and strips of paper for sails.
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A
A "horse swing," the first of the author's natural toys, was inspired by a young locust tree with an interesting curve at the base. 
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Long strips of bark removed from a felled locust tree became a long bark pipe.
Long strips of bark removed from a felled locust tree became a long bark pipe.
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This play platform was built on top of a tree stump.
This play platform was built on top of a tree stump.

Most toys produced nowadays seem outrageously expensive,
easily broken, and unnecessarily complicated … but my
youngsters have inspired me (and taught me how) to create
natural toys out of free, readily available materials.

A Horse Swing

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