How to Make Folk Toys

Tin Phones

• 1

  Cut a piece of nylon string 15 feet long.

• 2

  Poke a hole in the bottom center of each tin can with the point of the screwdriver.

• 3

  Thread the string through the hole from the outside of each can.

• 4

  Cut two pieces of tape. Secure the nylon line inside each can with a piece of tape.

• 5

  You and your child stand about 14 feet apart, leaving a little slack in the line. Speak into the can while the other person holds his can to his ear at the opposite end of the line.

Jacob's Ladder

• 6

  Sand the ends of each block. Place the blocks in line on a flat surface or table.

• 7

  Make a center line at each end of each block. Affix a strip of binding tape to the center line of the first block. Center the tape in the middle of the block securing it by screwing a brad through the tape to the board's edge.

• 8

  Tack a strip of tape to the left and right of the center tape strip on the opposite side of the board. Your two new strips will run along one side of the board while the center strip will be attached to the other. The tape strips will go in the opposite direction but leave 1/16-inch space, allowing the boards to fold together upon completion.

• 9

  Add the second board. Lay first board atop the second. Drape the left and right tape strips over the left edge. Connect the boards by screwing brads to the strips at the left edge of the second board. Lift the first board away from the second at the right edge. Run the middle tape strip over the right edge of the top board, down the middle to the left edge of the second board. Screw the tape to the middle of the edge. Drape the center tape strip down the middle of the bottom board. Run the two strips -- left and right -- along the underside of the second board.

• 10

  Repeat Step 4 for the remaining boards. The boards will stack upon each other. Pull the stack open and refold it. It will be flexible and can fold from a couple different positions.

Slingshot

• 11

  Cut a sturdy branch with a small handsaw at below the "Y" formation where two branches are adjoined. Cut the branch to leave 4 inches at the bottom for a handle. Cut the top two branches at 3 inches.

• 12

  Cut the rubber inner tube of a bicycle tire with a pair of sturdy scissors. Cut the tube in two pieces measuring 6 inches each.

• 13

  Screw a brad into one end of the rubber connecting it to one side of a rectangular or oval leather piece. Screw the second rubber strip to the opposite side of the leather.

• 14

  Wrap one end of the loose rubber to the top end of a leg of the stick's fork. Screw a brad into the rubber securing it to the stick. Do the same with the other loose rubber end attaching it to the opposite leg of the stick's fork.

• 15

  Place a pebble in the leather sling. Pull the rubber straps back to the desired tension and let go!