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How to make a simple pioneer toy

June 21, 2010 by Wifeeclectic 16 Comments

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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
Print

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.

Filed Under: Kids Crafts, Tutorials Tagged With: Arts and Crafts

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kelley says

    June 21, 2010 at 5:19 pm

    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
  2. Tammy says

    June 21, 2010 at 5:32 pm

    My son's class made those this year when they studied the pioneers. He loves his!

    Reply
  3. Erin Wallace says

    June 21, 2010 at 6:55 pm

    I have awarded you with the Hardworking Mommy Blog award. Please stop by my blog to check it out!

    xo Erin

    Reply
  4. Katie says

    June 21, 2010 at 8:35 pm

    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
  5. Elana says

    June 22, 2010 at 3:33 am

    I'm a new follower from Trailing Tuesdays!

    Reply
  6. Angie says

    June 22, 2010 at 4:08 am

    Oh neat. I remember seeing these when I went to the historical society. Following you from follow me back tues. Stop by when you get a chance: http://angiewith2.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  7. fancygrlnancy says

    June 22, 2010 at 4:11 am

    visiting from trailing tuesday.. I am a new follower.. would love a follow back http://arizonamama-fancygrlnancy.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  8. Melissa says

    June 22, 2010 at 4:23 am

    New follower from Tuesday blog hop!

    http://www.fabulousfamilyreviews.com/2010/06/happy-tuesday.html

    Reply
  9. Kathleen says

    June 22, 2010 at 5:10 am

    Following on GFC and Facebook from Trailing Tuesdays. Have a wonderful day and please visit my blog if you get the chance.

    Kathleen
    http://www.lifewith4boys.com

    Reply
  10. A 2 Z says

    June 22, 2010 at 5:34 am

    That is a great idea. Thanks for sharing. I'm a new follower! I'm from TT.

    Anne-Marie

    Reply
  11. SueFitz says

    June 22, 2010 at 11:06 am

    New follower via Tuesday Follow Me Back

    Made those years ago in girl scouts.

    Stitching Blog: http://suefitz-fitzsstithing.blogspot.com/
    3349 Postcards Blog: http://3349worldpostcards.blogspot.com/
    Reading Blog: http://booksbooksthemagicalfruit.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  12. furygirl3132 says

    June 22, 2010 at 12:25 pm

    Just stopping by from Trailing Tuesday to say hello. I have been following your blog for a little while now and I love reading it. Hope you have a wonderful Tuesday!

    Eloise
    Mommy2TwoGirls
    http://mommy2twogirls.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  13. Brooke says

    June 22, 2010 at 2:10 pm

    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. Mariah says

    June 23, 2010 at 2:34 pm

    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. Jenn Erickson says

    June 23, 2010 at 3:04 pm

    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
  16. mermaid says

    December 16, 2010 at 8:33 am

    Oh, that`s an interseting find! I was wondering how you call this game in English! It is very traditional game in Estonia at Shrove Tuesday. In olden times people used little pig bones instead of buttons.
    http://mermaidscreations.wordpress.com/2010/03/13/shrove-tuesday-vastlapaev/

    Greetings from England 🙂

    Reply

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Welcome to Housewife Eclectic

Debra Hawkins - Housewife EclecticHi, I'm Debra. I am a craftaholic photographer married to a web-programming amateur chef with two sassy littles keeping it interesting. It gets crazy around here. Read More…

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