Make A Native American: Ring and Pin Game
Native American: Ring and Pin Game Craft
Rules of ring and Pin
As you can see in the photo above, the ring and stick game is pretty simple. This was a game commonly played by children and women.
The object is move the stick so that ring is tossed into the air. Then the player must catch the ring by getting pin or stick through the hole as it lands. This is easier said then done.
The game can be more or less difficult based on the size of the hole in the ring.
We will show you how to make the Ring and Pin. If you are looking for more Native American games, check out our stick catching game. Want even more games, try your hand at ancient Roman Tic-Tac-Toe.
Why we Play Games
Native American tribes played a variety of games in the past. They played games for the same reason we do, to have fun and learn new skills.
When you examine a culture’s games and stories you can tell a lot about what the people valued and how they viewed the world. Many cultures use games as a means of teaching children how to do things or how to behave in society. Some games focus on cooperation, some games are about competition.
For example. think of our common children’s game, “Simon Says.” This game is all about teaching children to pay attention and focus on listening skills. Hide and Seek, another children’s game, teaches problem solving skills as the seeker must use reasoning and detection and the process of elimination to locate the hiders.
Games were no different for early Native Americans. One important skill was hand-eye coordination. This is a skill children still practice today.
The picture below illustrates an Inuit game that used animal bones instead of sticks and leather. Other hand eye coordination games included the cup and ball game played by the Europeans.
Supplies:
- Leather/paper
- Stick/straw
- String
- Exacto Knife
- Scissors
Steps:
- First, you must cut out a circle of leather or paper.
- Second, draw a circle on your circle of leather and cut it out using the exacto knife and scissors. Be sure to have a parent help with this.
- Third, make a slit in your circle so it may be tied to the string.
- Last, tie the string to the circle by putting it through the slit, and tie it to either a stick of straw to complete the craft.
- Now enjoy your Mythology Crafts creation.