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Split-Willow Twig Deer Toy
An all Natural Toy to Help Connect Children with Nature
Hand-Crafted by Chris Morasky

      Some of the earliest sights, sounds, smells, and textures we encounter in life become deeply imprinted in our psyche. Sadly, many children today are deprived of natural stimuli, constantly surrounded by plastic and other artificial materials. Many kids rarely encounter anything more real than lawn grass. Yet, natural objects, such as pine cones, stones, or driftwood, can be hugely captivating for small children. Our split-willow twig deer provide children with a unique, all natural toy that can really stimulate the imagination.

      For thousands of years Native Americans from the southwest made split-willow twig deer very similar to the toy deer shown here. The deer are made from a single willow that is split down the middle from the tip almost to the base. For the inspired do-it-yourselfer, please see the instructions included in the book Participating in Nature: Wilderness Survival and Primitive Living Skills.