| A sure way of delighting a child is to give him a toy. And if you make the plaything yourself, its value to the child is all the greater (as is your satisfaction in giving it). This book is a complete revision of the first edition of Things to Make for Children, published in 1960. It contains a large selection of playthings that an adult can make for a child. The projects range from wooden cars and rag dolls to play yard equipment and party ideas. You'll find educational playthings, toys that stimulate creativity, ideas for both outdoor play and quiet indoor activities, and toys designed purely for fun. Many doll houses and ideas for decorating and furnishing children's rooms are also included. The materials required for all of the projects are commonly available in hardware stores, lumber yards, fabric stores, or craft and hobby shops. No specialized techniques or methods are required for making any of the projects. You can follow the illustrated instructions provided for each or modify them to best suit your child. When making any of the projects, be sure to keep safety in mind. Make the toys strong enough to withstand wear and tear. Try to avoid small parts that could easily break off, and be especially careful when assembling a toy with nails that would be dangerously exposed if the toy broke. To avoid sharp edges and splinters on wooden toys, sand all of their surfaces. Use only nontoxic paint and finishes to decorate toys. Two companion Sunset books that you might enjoy are Children's Rooms and Play Yards, containing ideas for furnishing children's rooms and equipping play yards, and Crafts for Children, presenting craft ideas and hobbies for children themselves to pursue. |  |
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