Is It All Fun & Games?
This exhibit is created by the Minnesota Historic Northwest, allowing organizations to share the history of toys and playtime across America and showcase our toy collections. Each participating MN Historic Northwest organization has a set of informational posters, but each location features different, unique childhood items and displays from their collection.
Toy /toi/
Noun: an object for a child to play with, typically a model or miniature replica of something. A device regarded as providing amusement
Play /plā/
Verb: engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose.
Noun; activity engaged in for enjoyment and recreation, especially by children.
Children have played with toys as early as the 5th century. Balls, kites, dolls, and yo-yos are assumed to be the oldest items specifically designed as toys.
Materials such as wood, clay, paper, and plastic are used to design toys. Although with imagination, a simple stick found outside can become a horse or a pirate sword. Modern toys include interactive digital entertainment and smart toys. Playing with toys is a vital part of growing up and learning. Coordination and other manual skills are developed by manipulating toys that require the use of hands and body. In addition, adults can use toys to form and strengthen social bonds, teach, help in therapy, and remember and reinforce lessons from their youth.
Where can you find more exhibits?
Beltrami County Historical Society 130 Minnesota Avenue SW, Bemidji, MN 56601
Clearwater County Historical Society 264 1st St W, Bagley, MN 56621
East Polk Heritage Center 910 Hilligoss Blvd SE, Fosston, MN 56542
Goodridge Area Historical Museum 12261 300th Ave NE, Goodridge, MN 56725
Kittson County Historical Society 332 Main St, Lake Bronson, MN 56734
Lake of the Woods County Historical Society 119 8th Ave SE, Baudette, MN 56623
Mahnomen County Historical Society 106 N. Main St, Mahnomen, MN 56557
Marshall County Historical Society 808 East Johnson, Warren, MN 56762
Norman County Historical Society Praire Vig, 701 W. Thorpe Ave Ada, MN 56510
North Beltrami Heritage Center 126 Clark Ave N, Kelliher, MN 56650
Pennington County Historical Society 825 Oakland Park Rd, Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Polk County Historical Society 719 E Robert St, Crookston, MN 56716
Roseau County Historical Society 121 Center St, STE 101 Roseau, MN 56751
Warroad Heritage Center 202 Main Ave NE, Warroad, MN 56763