
TOY CRAFT
INTRODUCTORY NOTES
PREFACE
HISTORY OF TOY-MAKING.
EQUIPMENT.
LAYING OUT WORK.
TRANSFERRING A DESIGN TO WOOD.
ADAPTING THE PROBLEM TO THE BOY'S ABILITY.
FINISH AND COLOR.
STAINING.
A practical guide that invites children to become the creators of their own playthings, this book offers clear step‑by‑step instructions for crafting miniature furniture, wooden dolls, carts, animals and more. It emphasizes the satisfaction of shaping something tangible with one’s own hands, showing how a handmade toy can hold far more meaning than a mass‑produced counterpart. The author’s experience in manual training shines through, making each project feel both achievable and rewarding for young makers.
Beyond the how‑to, the text weaves a gentle lesson about the joy of giving. As kids assemble a wooden bird or a tiny wagon, they are encouraged to think of the delight it could bring another child, reinforcing the idea that creating for others enriches the maker as well. Simple tools and modest materials are highlighted, proving that worthwhile projects need not be costly.
The book also speaks to parents and educators, arguing that providing tools and instruction nurtures constructive habits while curbing the tendency to discard inexpensive toys. By blending practical craft with a philosophy of purposeful play, it aims to spark lasting curiosity and confidence in young hands.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (141K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Chris Curnow, Paul Mitchell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2013-12-24
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects
1886–1972
A hands-on early 20th-century writer, he turned practical skills into approachable books for young makers and hobbyists. His work on birdhouses, toys, concrete, and simple electrical projects reflects a lively belief in learning by doing.
View all books
by Leon H. (Leon Harold) Baxter

by Herodotus

by Maria Edgeworth

by Ernest Thompson Seton

by James Otis

by John Bennett

by I. T. (Ida Treadwell) Thurston

by Arthur W. (Arthur Wesley) Dow