While toys certainly abounded in the Victorian world, for many parents - particularly in small towns and rural areas - obtaining new toys wasn't as simple as just popping down to the local toy store. Major "toy stores" existed in only a few major cities. Other towns might have a toymaker or toy shop, and toys were sold through department stores, catalogs, and other larger shops. Often, however, the easiest way to get a new toy was to make one. Girls were often expected to make clothes for their dolls - an excellent way to learn the sewing skills they would need later to create their own outfits. Hence, Victorian magazines abounded with tips on how to craft playthings and doll accessories. This section offers tips on toys that one can make for children, and toys that children can make themselves.

In-Door Amusements (Illustrated London Almanack, 1845)

How to make a "wonder-turner" toy.

How to Dress a Doll (Godey's, 1860)

How to Make a Doll Bed (Godey's, 1860)

Woollen Ball for the Nursery, by Mrs. Jane Weaver (Peterson's Magazine, 1865)

Cardboard Toys (Godey's, 1867)

Cardboard Toys (Godey's, 1868)

Holiday Harbor, by S.B.C. Samuels (St. Nicholas, 1875)

How to construct a model harbor out of cardboard boxes.

How to Make Children's Toys, by Phillis Browne (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1877)

Cardboard Houses and Toys (Little Folks, 1878)

A Few Words About Skeleton Leaves (Little Folks, 1878)

How to Build a Doll's House (Little Folks, 1878)

How to Copy Coins and Medals by Electricity (Little Folks, 1878)

How to Make a Doll's Carpet (Little Folks, 1878)

How to Make Toy Balloons (Little Folks, 1878)

Some Electrical Experiments (Little Folks, 1878)

How to Dress Dolls, by Dora Hope (Girl's Own Paper, 1880)

How to Make a Paper Box (Girl's Own Paper, 1881)

Woollen Nursery Ball (Girl's Own Paper, 1881)

How to Make Puppets and Puppet Shows, by Daniel C. Beard (St. Nicholas, 1882A)

What Can Be Made with a Handkerchief, by Daniel C. Beard (St. Nicholas, 1882B)

How to make a variety of hand puppets and other items from a handkerchief.

Christmas and Birthday Cards: How to Paint and Decorate Them (Little Folks, 1883)

Occupations for Children, by Dora Hope (Girl's Own Paper, 1883)

A variety of easy and inexpensive craft projects to keep one's younger siblings entertained.

Some New Ways of Dressing Dolls (Little Folks, 1883)

[Clipping Books] Home Employment (for young people) (Ingalls' Home Magazine, 1888)

How to Amuse Children (Girl's Own Paper, 1888)

How to make a sailor doll, a model building, a model house, and a marbles game.

My Doll's Drawing Room, and How I Furnished It (Girl's Own Paper, 1894)

A wicker chair made from a sailor's hat, a writing desk of matchbooks, and a host of things one can do with cardboard and wire and beads...

Rag-Doll-Making, by Blanche C. Saward (Girl's Own Paper, 1894)

Wrinkles from the Laundry (Girl's Own Paper, 1896)

Some unusual craft ideas inspired by... the laundry room!

A New Life for an Old Ball, by Susan Shearman (Girl's Own Paper, 1898)

A charming, easy craft project.

• See also Games & Entertainments