The term 'folk toys' has been broadly applied to any toy that has been made by hand. Folklorists believe they were passed on down from generation to generation. Some of the earliest toys found date back as far as 2000 BC , where clay marbles were discovered with mummified remains in Egypt. In 5000 BC pins and balls (bowling) were unearthed in Crete. Native Americans are responsible for many of the folk toys that have been passed on, revised and refined. Below we offer some of our favorites that continue in popularity today. All toys are skillfully handcrafted from native, renewable materials by the People of the Appalachian Mountains.
NO BATTERIES, NO ELECTRICITY, NO CARBON EMMISSIONS, NO MICROWAVES, NO WASTE!
JUST PURE IMAGINATION!
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MUSICAL MARBLE TREE -- Handcrafted from a poplar hardwood and 21" high. Place marbles at the top of the tree and watch them gracefully glide down the curves to the catch basin below. This musical marble tree sounds like a xylophone, and adds a festive musical quality to your gatherings. Comes with a bag of 24 marbles. THIS TOY TAKES 6 TO 8 WEEKS TO PRODUCE
$70 each
GEE HAW WHIMMY DIDDLE -- Hand carved from native mountain laurel, just as they were years ago, this stick seems to have magic! With a little practice, you can rub the notched stick (with rub stick provided) and make the rotor go "Gee" or "Haw", right or left. Also known as the Hooey Stick.
$4 each
FLIPPER DINGER -- Fascinating to all at first sight. Made from North Carolina river cane, wire, and a small styrofoam ball. Blow into the river cane and watch the ball rise upward toward the wire hoop. Keep it floating in the air stream while you try to hook it! Challenging and fun.
$4 each
DO-NOTHING-GRINDER -- This toy gets its name from what it does -- NOTHING!! It consists of a wooden block with dovetail grooves cut into it at right angles. Small wooden blocks move back and forth in these grooves, when the crank handle is turned. The handle follows an oval path instead of a circle. An interesting toy, despite its name!
$5 each
COLORFUL JACOB'S LADDER -- The Jacob's Ladder was a popular toy in colonial America and has been a favorite children's toy ever since. When working the Jacob's Ladder, the blocks appear to tumble, one over the other. Of all the Jacob's Ladders we have ever tested, children love the COLORFUL JACOB'S LADDER over any other.
$6 each
MOONWINDER -- The MoonWinder has always been a popular and well-known folk toy. Simply wind the toy up, tighten and alternately relax the tension, and the disc will remain in perpetual motion.
$3 each
SLINGSHOT -- Favorite 'catapult' American folk toy for generations. It is made of native hardwood with suede 'sling-pouch,’ and is packaged with target for safe play.
$8 each
BULL ROARER -- Also known as the Whirling Whizzer. It is a traditional folk toy. Swing the bull-roarer in the air and listen as it makes the sound of an angry bull or the wind.
$4 each
JIMMY STICKS -- Traditional American folk balancing toy. Place a belt in the groove of the balancing toy and place the other end on the tip of your finger. The belt will balance and will appear to defy gravity. NO LONGER AVAILABLE.
$5 for 4
WOODEN BUILDING BLOCKS -- Set of classic wooden building blocks. Build a house, fort or other structures.
$12 each
GRACES -- The game of Graces dates back to the 1830's. This two player game features two wooden, ribboned hoops and four catching wands to fling the Graces' hoops back and forth. Graces was often referred to as a girl's game as it was meant to encourage 'gracefulness', hence its name.
$20 each
CLAY MARBLES -- Traditional set of clay marbles, hand-rolled as they were in the days of colonial America. Pouch and marble games included.
$8 each
GLASS MARBLES SET -- Classic American marbles set, including 2 shooter marbles, marbles, game pouch and traditional marbles instructions and game rules.
$8 each
CLIMBING BEAR -- CRAFTED INDIVIDUALLY. Some of the bears come plain, light or dark wood, with or without painted faces. Classic American folk toy. Hang the bear by the center loop, grasp the handles and pull down in alternating patterns, first one handle then the other. The bear will pull himself up until he reaches the top. This toy was originally used to teach children the art of milking cows.
$22 each
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PECKING CHICKENS -- Four carved chickens mounted on a wooden board. The operator holds the handle of the board and rotates the weight under it in a circular motion which activates the chickens pecking at corn on the board. A real conversation piece. Not recommended for children under 6 years old. SOLD OUT!
$18 each
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LIMBERJACK MAN -- COMES WITHOUT PAINTED FACE. READY FOR YOU TO DESIGN! One of the oldest recorded American toys. Made from a variety of native Appalachian wood either reclaimed or readily available. This is a wooden carved figure with limber dangling arms and legs. The operator sits in a wood chair on one side of the paddle, holding the Limberjack just above the opposite side with one hand. Tapping the springy paddle with the other hand puts the Limberjack into motion as a clogger or mountain buck dancer. With a little practice and a snappy mountain tune, you can make the Limberjack Man look alive!
$18 each
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JUMPIN' JIG -- Gently squeeze, then release the lower handles and watch the little acrobat go into action on the bar. The wooden performer is designed after the flying trapeze artist of old. With just a little practice, you can have him doing many difficult acts.
$5 each
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CLIMBING CUB -- Watch the Cub climb to the top, by holding the stick and gently rotating the weight in a circular motion. This toy has a calming effect on all of you Type A executives out there. Lots of fun!
$14 each
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WOOD PECKER -- Push the Wooodpecker gently to the top and watch the little bird bob down the pole, pecking away!
$12 each
15% restocking fee on any returned items. Returned items accepted if damaged and notified within 5 days.
