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How to make a simple pioneer toy

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I come from a religious background that celebrates its pioneer heritage often. We had many activities as young children, dressed up as pioneers. This is a simple pioneer toy that my mom often made for us because, well, it is simple and it kept us quiet.

Simple Pioneer Toy

This is called a buzzsaw. You can carve and whittle and drill your own center piece of wood like the pioneers did, or, you can be lazy like me and find the biggest button you can get your hands on.
After you have found the button. Take a long length of thread, crochet thread works the best. Thread it through both holes, until there is plenty of both cords on BOTH sides of the button. Tie off the string and you should have something like the picture below.


To play the game, hold the buzzsaw like the picture below. You then begin wrapping it over itself.
Until it has become tightly wound like in the picture below. You then pull on the edges, which still have your fingers in them, and you see how many times you can get it to wrap and unwrap. It is a simple game but has entertained me many an hour.

Excuse the flour on my shirt, I was making the most delicious calzones that I shall give you the recipe for shortly.

Buzz Saw Pioneer Toy
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Simple Pioneer Toy

This is a simple pioneer toy that my mom often made for us because, well, it is simple and it kept us quiet.
Keyword: Crafting, DIY, Toys

Materials

  • Large Button
  • Crochet Thread

Instructions

Make the Game

  • Take a long length of thread, crochet thread works the best.
  • Thread it through both holes, until there is plenty of both cords on BOTH sides of the button.
  • Tie off the string

Play the game

  • Hold the buzzsaw in both hands.
  • You then begin wrapping it over itself.
  • Until it has become tightly wound.
  • You then pull on the edges, which still have your fingers in them, and you see how many times you can get it to wrap and unwrap.
  • It is a simple game but has entertained me many an hour.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. says

    Hello swap buddy!!! Cant wait to go shopping for you… Im off to read your blog so I can get just the right things… have a great week!

    Reply

  4. says

    We have a great "pioneer" living museum here in Iowa, and I remember playing with those on field trips to Living History Farms as a kid!

    Reply

  13. says

    New Follower from Follow Me Back Tuesday. I would love to learn how you save money with coupons. I can use the tips. Stop on by The Craft Cave.

    Reply

  14. says

    Hopping over from SITS and apparently I am missing out on Trailing Tuesday! Something to check out:)

    I love this idea for a simple craft for a class when you have a few extra minutes. Easy to create and will keep them busy for a while!!

    Reply

  15. says

    This once again proves that the best toys are often the simplest. My daughter and I learned about these when we attended a showing of the Courduroy short film at a local museum. There was a craft afterward, inspired by the story in which the department store bear loses one of his buttons. The story was one of my favorites as a child. We were each given a large button and made a "buzzsaw". That was more than five years ago, and my daughter still has hers! Stopping by from SITS! Jenn

    Reply

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