History@Home: Make Clay Marbles

Episode 6: Toys of The Past Part 3

Make Clay Marbles:

The use of Marbles in playing games has been around since the time of the Egyptians. Marbles have been found in many native american and colonial america archaeology sites. Marbles began to be mass produced in America in the early 1860’s. Marbles can be made from many different materials including clay, marble, stone, plastic, and glass. 

Clay Marble Instructions:

Materials

Baking Clay – Multiple colors

Baking Pan

Wax paper

Instructions

  1. Roll each clay color into a snake shape. 
  2. Twist two – three clay snake shape colors together. Smooth the snake out so that colors look blended.
  3. Pinch off a piece of the clay snake and roll into a ball.
  4. Continue step 3 until you have made as many marbles as you want.
  5. Follow instructions on the back of the baking clay to preheat the oven and for cook time.
  6. Place wax paper on a flat cookie/baking sheet. 
  7. Place marbles on the wax paper and put them in the oven.
  8. Let cool for 10 – 15 minutes before playing with them.

How to play Marbles:

  1. Draw a big circle on the ground or make a circle of string on a floor.
  2. Pick your shooter marble. It is usually bigger than the rest.
  3. You and your friend put some of your marbles in the circle
  4. Take turns knuckling down and shooting marbles out of the ring.
  5. Your turn is over when you don’t knock any marbles out.
  6. You keep the marbles you knock out of the ring.
  7. Play until the ring is empty.
  8. Keep your marbles in a bag or can and collect more than any of your friends.

How to Play Marbles Video

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