What is the Point of Toys?

It seems the point of toys is development, according to Felicia McMahon. Immature members of mammal or bird groups use toys in their play to mimic mature behaviors in preparation for future necessary skills. The skills of hunting and protecting can be practiced before the need actually exists. She states other groups do not exhibit play behaviors requiring toys, however, Sarah Zielinski of ScienceNews presents some opposing thoughts. Animals who are healthy and not stressed will exhibit what appears to be playful behaviors. Even a turtle at the National Zoo will bat around a basketball and otters will play an electric piano. Does depressing keys on a keyboard constitute playing?

Perhaps toys historically provided development opportunities for youngsters of many groups but toys exist for adults such as desktop drum sets and other office tchotchkes.  Can toys exist for entertainment value only?

What is a toy?

Before figuring out how to combine gourds with toys, what IS a toy? According to Felicia McMahon in her Britannica entry about toys, a toy is an object used by children as playthings. These items can be imagined as anything real or unreal and used to explore the world around them.

Manipulating objects such as jacks, dolls, and even puzzles encourage cognitive skills and awareness. Jacks may have been used for physical development to increase eye-hand coordination. Dolls provide role-playing opportunities to increase social skills and creative thinking. Pam Meyers at the Childhood Development Institute explains puzzles offer the opportunities for memory development, problem-solving, and fine motor skills. 

Toys have been prevalent in the far-off past of humankind and in many cultures. Why?  What's the point of toys?

Welcome!

Welcome to Old Gourd Toys, a commentary about gourds, toys, and how the mechanics of old-fashioned toys can be combined with gourds to make moving gourdiacs. Gourds have long been made into birdhouses, bowls, hourglasses, powder horns, and tools but moving toys?  Let's find out.