Chinese folk toys are a combination of artistic appreciation and enjoyment attached to quite a long history. As a unique Chinese art form, Chinese folk toys are hidden with numerous meanings that show the people's wish for a happy and contented life. They are closely connected with the traditional Chinese culture and people’s daily life since they are a special expression of Chinese fundamental ideas, desires, and concerns. At first, the folk toys were just for children to play with. Later on, they gradually developed into a

The history of Chinese folk toys started from the Yangshao Culture of the Neolithic Period. Experts have found pottery and stone balls in the Banpo Village of Xi’an. In the Han Dynasty, the use of folk toys gradually extended. All kinds of pottery animals, houses, and servants were also used as funeral objects. During the Tang and Song Dynasties, Chinese folk toys of various quality appeared. Among them were

sculptures of flour, porcelain and wood, toys made of silk and paper as well as colored drawings of the most popular ones. What’s more, it was also during this period that toys became the symbols of traditional festivals.

Chinese folk toys experienced continuous development in the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. They were more delicate and were involved in positive events. Folk toys reached their high peak in the Qing Dynasty. The materials, shapes and themes of the folk toys became more abundant.

How to classify the Chinese folk toys?

Festival Toys

Some folk toys are specially used for traditional festivals. These toys are mostly flowery and customary. In the Spring Festival, firecrackers and fireworks are used as warm greetings for the Chinese New Year. Lanterns in different shapes are for the Lantern Festival. In the Pure Brightness, kites will be flown in the sky. During the Dragon Boat Festival, people will take sachets with them. Old people often take peach-shaped sachets because peach is regarded as a symbol of longevity in China. For children, their sachets are of lovely patterns.Chinese folk toys can also

usually be found at weddings, birthdays and religious celebrations. For example, the paper-cuts for weddings; paper-made objects for funerals; cloth tigers for little children and clay and pottery statues of Buddha at religious ceremonies

Euphonious Toys
Sounds can also be added into the folk toys. They increase the amusement and make the folk toys more popular among children. One of the main euphonious toys is whistles made of clay, porcelain, and bamboo. They can help the parents encourage their children to fall asleep. Along with some other traditional Chinese folk musical instruments such as bells,

little gongs and shaking-drums, bird-shaped whistles belong to the most popular and common toys.Another popular musical toy is the bamboo flute. Bamboo can be found everywhere in southern China and musical toys made of bamboo tubes, along with those made of reed pipes, are quite popular. The beautifully sounding bamboo flute can be played horizontally or vertically. As a traditional musical instrument, the bamboo flute is loved by both adults and children.

Moving Toys

One famous moving folk toy is the clay “roly-poly” figurines. Particularly the children find it interesting and attractive because these figurines never fall down; no matter they are heavily or lightly struck by children. Among movable toys, shadow puppets enjoy the longest history and best reputation. Made of colored cardboard, leather, or hardened sheets of plastic, they are used by

children and adults in a variety of puppet shows. With wires, strings, or sticks attached to them, the puppeteers can move various parts of their bodies

Educational Toys
As early as the Warring States Period, a game called “puzzle ring” existed. It is considered to be one of the most incomprehensible games in the human history. Even the mathematicians from the West paid great attention to this game. The task of this game is to separate the nine rings which are buckled together or to join separated nine rings together. It is really complicated.Chinese people regard

the educational folk toys as a good method to develop children’s wisdom (Qi Qiaoban) might be the best choice. Composed of 7 pieces in a certain shape, this toy requires players’ brain exertion to join those pieces into a given pattern without any gaps.

Practical Toys

Chinese folk toys are not only for play, but also for practical use. They serve as part of finery, bedding and foodstuff. Children are fond of animal-shaped pillows or hats. For the foodstuff, the plasticity of flour makes people’s imagination true. At present, some people are still good at modeling and steaming flour figures.Sugar-moulded toys are children's favorites. Melted

sugar is poured into moulds made of wooden or metal. Then, they are carved into various patterns. The most common motifs are animals such as chickens, fish, pigs, horses, lions and tigers. Candy figurines are also made without moulds. In city parks, candy-making artists create various figures with a few quick strokes of a spatula. It is interesting to watch and eat. Meanwhile, these figurines represent the figures and designs important to Chinese culture.

At present, the Chinese folk toys are deeply affected by the development of modern toy industry in China. However, this traditional art form still plays a major role in contemporary Chinese culture. As China continues to grow and develop, traditional Chinese folk toys will always be flourishing.