Toys to Make

We did not have very many store-bought toys. Most of our were made by our parents, our slaves, and ourselves.

For example, we did not have a rubber ball to use to play catch. Bouncy rubber was still unknown. One way we would make a ball was to use corn husks. You can make one, too.

Corn Husk Ball
You will need:

• Dried corn husks (the inner husks are better than the outer ones)
• Cotton string
• Water and container for it
• Small piece of corncob, horse chestnut, large wooden bead, ping pong ball, or styrofoam ball (optional)

To make the ball:

• Soak the corn husks in a container of water until they soften. This takes about a half hour.
• At the same time, soak the string.
• Tear the husks length-wise into strips that are about the same width.

  Next, you wrap the husks to form the ball. It is easier if you start with a core of some other material.. Boys and girls on Latta Plantation did not have styrofoam balls or ping pong balls, but you do, so you can use one of those in the middle if you like.

You could also use a piece of corncob or a wooden bead or a horse chestnut or anything else that is almost round. Hold one end of the husk against the core and wrap it around over and over as much as you can and as tight as you can. When you are done with one husk, wrap another on top of it and keep doing that until you have the ball as big as you want it.

Hold the ball together tightly and start wrapping the wet string over the husks. Wrap in all directions and do it very tightly. Use enough string to hold the husks in place but do not cover the ball entirely with string. You want the husks to show.

When you have enough string on the ball, cut the string. Slip the end under a securely wrapped part of the string and tie the end down.

Put the ball aside to dry, which takes 8 to 10 hours if you use a core and up to two or three days if you do not use a core. As the string dries, it gets shorter and tighter and really holds the ball together well.

To use the ball:

Use it to play catch or hit it with a stick. It is not going to bounce, but it is still a good ball!