What would kids do today without television and the internet?

Barbara Tatom, director of the Pioneer Museum of Alabama, said kids would probably do what kids did back in the yesteryear. They would create their own toys with things that ol’ Mother Nature provides.

In yesteryear, children could, with a little imagination, make all kinds of toys that could keep them entertained by themselves or have fun or chasing chickens around the yard or climbing a tree or  …

But, if kids today were introduced to the “play toys” of yesterday, they might find that made up games and toys just might be fun.

The Pioneer Museum of Alabama has a big selection of “toys” that can be played and enjoyed alone or with a friend.

“I think these toys that we have at the Pioneer Museum of Alabama are more fun than they might think,” Tatom said. “And they might generate ideas for other games and doing things that can be played and enjoyed by themselves.”

But for starters, Tatom invites and encourages moms and dads to visit the Pioneer Museum of Alabama gift shop with their kids Thursday through Saturday for idea for summer entertainment.

“Yo-yoing can be very challenging and lots of fun even by yourself,” Tatom said. “And the museum has pickup sticks, Spinning tops. Balsa wood airplanes and finger tops.”

For those who want to be really challenged, try Newton’s Mini kendrama tops, finger tops and, for the do-it-yourselfers, try making bows and arrows, pea shooters, frog house, doodling a bug and hunting crickets or turning a summersault.

Those are just a few summer suggestions that can be found at the Pioneer Museum of Alabama or in the backyard.

For more learning fun, visit the Pioneer Museum of Alabama.