{"title":"Games of Skill - Traditional Play","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(116, 35, 22);\"\u003eShaped by tradition and experience, these toys and games reward skill developed through practice, and offer a direct connection to how people in early America spent their leisure time. Simple, traditional toys such as these were widely known and shared in early America, passed from one generation to the next over centuries of play, and remain just as popular today.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"bilbo-catcher-bilboquet","title":"Bilbo-Catcher (Bilboquet) – Traditional Wooden Cup and Ball Toy","description":"\u003cp data-end=\"615\" data-start=\"211\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBilbo-Catcher (Bilboquet) – Traditional Wooden Cup and Ball Toy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"615\" data-start=\"211\"\u003eThe bilbo-catcher, also known as a bilboquet, was part of the “curious” assortment of toys sold by early American merchants and remained a favorite well into the late 19th century. A classic toy of the cup-and-ball family, the game challenges the player to toss the ball and catch it—either on the tip of the spindle or in a cup—developing coordination, timing, and skill.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"803\" data-start=\"617\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNew Model:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"634\" data-start=\"631\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWe have returned to our original design, allowing the ball to be spiked on one side or caught in a cup on the other, offering two styles of play in a single toy.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1136\" data-start=\"805\"\u003eOur bilbo-catcher features a solid wood spindle (5\" long), turned exclusively for us in the USA, with a wooden ball attached by string. Each piece is carefully assembled and packaged in a window box printed with history and instructions, making it ideal for educational programs, and traditional play.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\" height=\"23\" width=\"44\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0607\/0766\/8168\/files\/triangle_480x480.png?v=1643661764\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003et intended for children under 8 years of age.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cowings Mill: Retail Outlet of Cooperman HistoryLives","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49183563383074,"sku":"","price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0905\/9919\/4914\/files\/Bilboquet-bilbo-catcher-traditional-cup-ball-toy2.jpg?v=1776364337"},{"product_id":"game-of-jacks","title":"Game of Jacks in Leather or Cotton Pouch","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"206\" data-end=\"596\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTraditional Game of Jacks, Cast in Lead-Free Pewter, Cotton or Leather Pouch\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"206\" data-end=\"596\"\u003eThe Game of Jacks is a classic early American skill game with roots in much earlier times. Before the advent of rubber balls, players used small animal bones or stones, tossing one piece—the “jack”—into the air while quickly completing a sequence of moves before catching it again. Simple in concept yet challenging to master, the game builds coordination, timing, and dexterity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"598\" data-end=\"932\"\u003eOur Game of Jacks set is handcrafted in Vermont and includes 10 large jacks cast in lead-free pewter. To reflect both historic and modern play styles, the set also includes a wood ball (for traditional, non-bouncing play) and a rubber bouncy ball for contemporary gameplay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"934\" data-end=\"951\"\u003eSet Includes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"952\" data-end=\"1146\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1ndqhrh\" data-start=\"952\" data-end=\"985\"\u003e10 lead-free pewter jacks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"qdmvlz\" data-start=\"986\" data-end=\"1027\"\u003e1 wood ball (historic-style play)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1x0pacm\" data-start=\"1028\" data-end=\"1056\"\u003e1 rubber bouncy ball\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"13loqnh\" data-start=\"1057\" data-end=\"1093\"\u003eHistory and instruction card\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"12vt45p\" data-start=\"1094\" data-end=\"1146\"\u003eChoice of leather or cotton drawstring pouch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1148\" data-end=\"1318\"\u003eIdeal for families and educational programs, this set brings a timeless game into the present with both authenticity and versatility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg height=\"23\" width=\"44\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0607\/0766\/8168\/files\/triangle_480x480.png?v=1643661764\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWARNING  CHOKING HAZARD  Toy contains small parts and small balls. Not for children under 3. Recommended for adults and children aged 8 years and above.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cowings Mill: Retail Outlet of Cooperman HistoryLives","offers":[{"title":"Leather Pouch","offer_id":50481590796578,"sku":null,"price":22.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Cotton Pouch","offer_id":50481590829346,"sku":null,"price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0905\/9919\/4914\/files\/game-of-jacks-pewter-set-leather-pouch.jpg?v=1775056087"},{"product_id":"peg-top-traditional-spinning-turnip-top-toy","title":"Wooden Peg Top with String – Traditional Spinning Top Toy","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"191\" data-end=\"453\"\u003eSpinning tops have fascinated both children and adults since antiquity, appearing in cultures around the world for centuries. In early America, tops were a popular everyday toy—and they remain a timeless favorite for hands-on play and skill building.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"455\" data-end=\"676\"\u003eThe peg top is the classic turnip-shaped spinning top, set in motion by wrapping and pulling a string. It spins smoothly on a rounded metal tip (spindle), rewarding practice with longer, more controlled spins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"678\" data-end=\"872\"\u003eOur wooden peg top with string is packaged in a poly bag with a history and instruction card.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0607\/0766\/8168\/files\/triangle_480x480.png?v=1643661764\" width=\"44\" height=\"23\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot for children under 3. Recommended for adults and children aged 8 years and above.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cowings Mill: Retail Outlet of Cooperman HistoryLives","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51542905880866,"sku":null,"price":9.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0905\/9919\/4914\/files\/casey_top_crop.jpg?v=1776364759"}],"url":"https:\/\/cowingsmill.com\/collections\/games-of-skill-tradtional-cup-ball-bilbocatcher-and-pewter-jacke.oembed","provider":"Cowings Mill: Retail Outlet of Cooperman HistoryLives","version":"1.0","type":"link"}