Toy Workshop

The origin of toys is prehistoric; dolls representing infants, animals, and soldiers, as well as representations of tools used by adults are readily found at archaeological sites. Toys excavated from the Indus valley civilization (3000-1500 BCE) include small carts, whistles shaped like birds, and toy monkeys which could slide down a string. The origin of the word "toy" is unknown, but it is believed that it was first used in the 14th century. Most young mammals have been observed to play with whatever they can find, turning such things as pinecones, rocks, and food into toys.