Toys and Toymaking

The American West is a land of vast plains, towering mountains, and legendary frontiers. This episode traces its history—from Indigenous nations to the arrival of settlers, the Gold Rush, and the cowboy era. Explore the opportunities, challenges, and conflicts that defined the fr ... Show More

In ancient Egypt, the chariot was a powerful weapon of war and a symbol of prestige. This episode explores how Egyptian chariot warriors fought, trained, and helped expand Egypt’s power. Learn about their weapons, tactics, and the craftsmanship behind the chariots that sped acros ... Show More

Madam C.J. Walker started with almost nothing—but she had determination, creativity, and a smart plan. In this episode, kids will discover how she turned a homemade hair product into a booming business by working hard, saving her money, and investing in herself and others. She be ... Show More

Jen, Ginny, Nat, & Corrie take a tour through the colossal of history toys, asking the age-old question, why do we love a little guy? Outline: 1 since the dawn of time, ppl have wanted other ppl to check out the little guy they made. 2 imitative and instructive 3 the earliest toy ... Show More

As moms, we are always trying to find ways to better our children's lives, and we all know children learn through play. So we think that if kids learn through play, and my job as a mom is to help my child learn, grow, and develop, then I will give them all the toys I can hel ... Show More

For many of us, toy guns were part of our childhood, but how are we to think about them today? In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe look at some of the current thinking on the use of toy weapons in childhood play. Learn more about your ad-choices at https:// ... Show More

Hidden in bedside tables or proudly displayed on mantelpieces, wherever you keep them (if you do), sex toys have come a long way since the first phallic-shaped object was found around 30,000 years ago. But before they were arriving through our post boxes in unmarked, tracked pack ... Show More

While it's a taboo subject in the modern day, it turns out people have been improvising ways to pleasure themselves since, well, the dawn of history. In this week's two-part takeover episode, Ben and Noel join Eli and Diana Banks, real-life spouses and creators of the hit podcast ... Show More

It's a serious topic this time...In this episode Masha and Rory discuss toys! What words should you use when describing something like a toy? What do toys teach children? Do modern parents spend too much on toys for their kids? InnOvative or innovAtive? In addition to that, Rory ... Show More

Do you love Play-Doh? Chuck and Josh certainly love to talk about it, from its interesting history as a wall cleaner, to its more scientific chemical properties. It's everything you ever wanted to know about the pliable children's toy. Learn more about your ad-choices at https:// ... Show More

It's every kid's dream - a job playing with toys that pays in toys. It's a real thing and has been around for a long time. Then there's the other side of the testing process, companies who ensure that toys are safe. It takes both of these testing techniques to successfully bring ... Show More

On this episode of Our American Stories, the "Nostalgia Awakens" is a Star Wars action figure exhibit from enthusiast and museum curator Jarrod Roll. He's here to share the story of how Star Wars toys revolutionized movie merchandising, licensing, and even how children play. Supp ... Show More