There were not a great variety of toys used in the colonies. Tin toys
were quite scarce as tin was not much in use at that time for such
purposes. There were kites, hoops, balls, battledore and shuttles, tops,
marbles, skates and sleds. There were home-made hobby-horses, coaches,
and chariots. The boys had jack-knives and knew how to use them in
making pop-guns, whistles, windmills, water-wheels, traps, and the like.
Boys also made their own weapons, as, clubs, slings, bows, and arrows.
The girls had dolls, of course, but they were home-made affairs for the
greater part. The only dolls advertised in the colonial papers were
those told about under dress, which were the models that were dressed in
Europe and sent over to mantua-makers to give the styles. It is true
that after serving this purpose the dolls were sold for children's use
and thought much of by them. The furniture was much of it home-made,
birch bark being especially adaptable for the purpose. Wicker cradles
and chaises were made for the dolls, copied from those of infants.