Handmade toys

Growing up like most kids in the world,we didn`t have very many store bought toys(those bright coloured plastic ones!)So how did we keep ourselves entertained? In Africa and many other parts of the world, kids have always made their own toys, many made from common day to day items found around their homes and neighborhoods.Items commonly used are soda bottle caps, beans, wires(telephone wires and coat hangers), cans,clay and nothing was wasted.
I had one or two store bought toys but my friends and I always tried to make our own using left over fabric and knitting our own sweaters for them.The boys had a few store bought cars but you`d see the pleasure in their eyes as they got clay and made their own trucks and cars as every boy dreams of one day owning their truck.Cereal boxes were a treasure!!These would make great cars!The level of creativity was very high and many have grown up to do great things because they had to be creative.Check these Harley Davidson bikes made to extreme detail in wire-www.africancrafts.com/wireworkharleyd3 .
I remember making jewelery made of soft stone with my best friend.We would rub them on the ground until we got the desired effects then drill a hole gently for the threads then paint them very colorfully.Made great chokers!!We did have store bought jewelry but again the satisfaction was in making your own to match your outfits.
My son has quite a few toys but he is happiest when we cut cardboard and glue things together.Lately we have been using white soft Sculpey clay to sculpt characters from his story books.Usually the results are quite hilarious and entertaining in themselves.We will choose the best ones, bake and paint them.I want to see how he grows with this.By the way its very therapeutic!!Try it.Please tell me of any memorable handmade toys.