No Batteries Required: the Popular Mexican Toy

Traditional toys combine fun and learning, reflecting their cultural importance.

The spinning top with rope (2019-04-26) by Gerardo Mejía PedreroMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico

Culture and fun

Traditional toys were made to spin, roll, jump, amuse us and teach us about everyday life. Some are made of wood, others of clay, cardboard, plant fibers, metal, 100% recycled materials, hence their cultural value.

Cat eyes (2019-05-09) by Santiago Sánchez DíazMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico

The charm of tradition

There's no greater pleasure than seeing the triumph of the spinning top spin, knocking your opponent's marbles out, dominating the ball or keeping your kite in the air after struggling to get it high enough to soar in the sky.

The crash (2019-05-10) by Miguel Ángel Pérez GarcíaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico

Toys that embody childhood

Some toys are an important factor in children's fun; others are inseparable companions that help us understand the adult world such as little carts, which are the very first vehicle in every childhood.

Valentina and her friends (2019-05-02) by Laura Alejandra Jalil ÁlvarezMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico

Heroes and dolls

Dolls are the children of our young ones, and they can do their make up, their hair or play lunch with them; meanwhile, mini soccer players, boxers and wrestlers are inseparable childhood companions who were once the superheroes of our time.

Let's play marbles (2019-04-20) by Emiliano Gutiérrez GonzálezMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico

Handmade, durable and collectable

Handmade toys don't need any batteries and don't decompose easily. They can be played with alone, or with friends and, best of all, they are made using 100% biodegradable materials: wood, clay, paper, fabric, glass, metal, palm and other plant fibers.

Without batteries other ways to play (2019-05-10) by Miguel Ángel Pérez GarcíaMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico

The magic of craftsmanship

Thanks to the ingenuity and patience of artisans, these materials are transformed into yo-yos, balls, spinning tops, slingshots, pinwheels, kites, clay pots, wooden boxes, dolls, hobby horses, whistles, finger traps, carousels, magic boxes, rattles, etc.

These toys are true artistic pieces and part of the magical universe that never ceases to surprise us. And although they may only seem to be resigned to our memories or about to disappear, we can still find various examples of handmade toys at fairs, markets and toy stores.

Acrobat, Juan Carlos Franco Toriz, 2019-04-10, From the collection of: Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
,
A lot of fight, Luis Noel Chávez Pérez, 2019-05-03, From the collection of: Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
,
Standing Still, Nicole Valenzuela Mejía, 2019-04-13, From the collection of: Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
Show lessRead more

Toy textures (2019-04-26) by Karina Alejandra Soto HernándezMinistry of Culture of the Government of Mexico

Mexican toys, a living legacy

Traditional Mexican toys refuse to die, and seek to continue bringing the joy of fun and discovering something new, continuing to teach us the values ingrained in the generations that came before us.

Credits: Story

This story was made possible thanks to support and collaboration from the General Directorate of Popular, Indigenous and Urban Cultures.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
Explore more
Related theme
Mexican Sports: More Than a Game
Explore Mexico's sporting history, culture, and communities
View theme
Home
Discover
Play
Nearby
Favorites