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Playing it old school


This exhibit, as seen above, has been on the road all summer, visiting festivals across the country as part of  the commemoration of the War of 1812.  The exhibit, curated by Parks Canada, is composed of toys that kids were playing with in 1812 and it instantly captivated my kids.  The people working at the exhibit told us that it has been wildly popular with adults and kids everywhere it goes.  This does not surprise me whatsoever.  Even with a bouncy castle and ice cream and a variety of other things centimetres away, this table sent out a siren song to my kids.  My daughter, especially, could not get enough.  Upon reflection, these toys, Jacob's ladder and the ball and cup and kaleidoscope are likely so popular because they demand something of the person playing with them.  You can "get better" at playing them. 

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