Tips to Make the Holidays Special – An Interview With the Toymaker

You’ll probably remember that I was gushing the other day about the cool paper toy Thanksgiving printables from the Toymaker, also known as Marilyn Scott-Waters. Well, she graciously agreed to take time out from the holiday season to share some tips about making the holidays special for kids with old fashioned, simple fun, as well as some hints for kids who want to create their own paper toys.

1. What inspired you to start making paper toy patterns?

I’ve always liked to make things out of paper, ever since I was a kid. I started making paper toys as a way to let off steam after doing “serious” design work. The thing I like about paper is that it’s so simple. You don’t need any special equipment or supplies just scissors, paper, glue and a little imagination.

2. I noticed you have a book out. Can you tell me about it?

I have three books out right now, The Toymaker:Paper Toys That You Can Make Yourself, The Search For Vile Things, published by Scholastic and another popup book that I did the paper engineering for called Scratch and Sniff Fruit.

The Search for Vile Things is about an eccentric Victorian family that tours the world looking for “Vile Things” They find all kinds of creepy animals, foods and customs. It was really fun to draw. I had to research all kinds of strange creatures like flying tree snakes and Komodo dragons. It’s written by Jane Hammerslough, who is a very funny and talented author.

3. How can people use the paper toys on your site or in your books to make the holidays special?

I think one of the best things that you can do with children is to sit down with them and have fun makings things. Kids don’t really want stuff, they want you and your attention. If you spend even a half hour coloring and making something together that is much better than a trip to some over decorated mall. There are also quite a few toys that can be turned into gifts. If anyone wants to send me a Chocolate Truck filled with chocolate caramels then feel free.

4. Many parents are growing tired of the commercialization of the holidays. Do you have any tips to help them recapture the old fashioned fun of Christmas before it became a money making machine?

Kids get excited about Christmas because everything is new. A couple of years ago when it came time to decorate the tree, my husband and I were slogging through it and then we looked over at our son getting excited about each ornament. For him it was a magical experience. So it’s not about having the perfectly decorated house or expensive presents, it’s about living in the moment and being grateful for what you have..

Another things that was really fun for us was using the Christmas “Thank You For Being Nice” cards. I had to do some last minute shopping with the boy on Christmas Eve. Taking an eight-year-old to a crowded mall is not normally my idea of fun, but I printed up a couple dozen of these little thank you cards. Every time someone did something nice, held open a door, brought our food, wrapped our purchases, we gave them a thank you note. It transformed the whole event from a miserable chore to a great memory.

5. Do you have any hints for kids who want to make paper toys?

Don’t be afraid to try something new and experiment.  Be creative! And remember, your designs don’t have to be perfect, you just have to have fun. I like to make a plain white version of a new toy to see if all the pieces fit together right, then I make the color version. Another trick is to score the paper, that is lightly scratch a line into the paper where you want to fold it. I use the edge of a metal ruler but a nail file, paper clip or dried up ballpoint pen all work great as well.

6. Many teachers look for fun activities they can incorporate into class lessons near the holidays. Do you have any tips for them?

There are lots of black and white toys that students can color with their own designs. There are polyhedrons that can be used in math lessons. There are all kinds of bags and boxes that could be filled with handmade gifts. If the students had access to a printer perhaps they could do a paper toy gift exchange where everyone made a toy to give to a classmate.

photos courtesy of the Toymaker

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