Testing the Kid Theory

As a test this summer, now that people seem to be more comfortable with visiting farm markets and having their children taking camps, a series of twilight gourd camps and free farm market gourd projects have been taught. It seems children do like to make a game or toy from a gourd, but perhaps because that's what's offered. The surprise has been how many parents/adults like the toys. When explaining the purpose of the experiment and asking for opinions, there seems to be a dichotomy of reasons for why adults like the projects: 1) they understand the fact a plant (a gourd) is the foundation of the toy and not something made of plastics and 2) some variation of gourd toys are simpler and more fun than other kinds of entertainments. 

A bilobob, a whimmydiddle, a trapeze man, a whirligig...what's not to love? 

In my experience...

It's been my experience, old fashioned toys (made with gourds or wood) seem to hold a youngsters interest longer than the store-bought, plastic versions. Is it the oddity of a piece of nature with a new purpose? Is there a subtle nuance happening when a child holds a toy made with something once brimming with life force?

Pretty deep for a gourd toy blog, but worthy of consideration I suppose. As a child, I always found dolls made with cornhusks and sticks much more interesting than the more realistic dollies from Sears. I had plenty of each but played with the rustic versions more. Once the store babies were dressed, they were sat in a special place on my pillow but not actually played with for any length of time. However, the gourdhead doll saw a LOT of action!

At the farm market where I sell bilabobs and spinning tops and racecars made from gourds, kids will drag parents over and immediately get involved with the toys.  I will sell them but mostly show the kids how to make their own after they decorate the gourds. A big item even my ophthalmologist likes is the eyeball guy who moves his eyes side to side - who wouldn't like THAT?!

Gourds are so much fun!