Bolos for Lenape Boys

Imagine you are a Lenape boy learning how to hunt wild turkey. What would you use? A bolo you made yourself, of course!

1. Native American boys needed a keen eye and a steady hand to hunt food for their families. Learning to throw a bolo (two stones tied together) was how Lenape boys who lived along the Delaware River practiced these skills. What an accomplishment it was to twirl your bolo overhead, let it sail, and wrap around a bird’s legs! Imagine the thrill of capturing your first wild turkey! With your friends, make bolos similar to the ones that Lenape boys used.

2. Using white Crayola Model Magic® compound, form two oval "stones" about as long as your pinkie finger. With the side of a craft stick or your finger, make a groove down the center of each stone. This is where you will tie your string. Air-dry your stones for 24 hours.

3. Color your stones with Crayola Washable Multicultural Markers. Air-dry the color.

4. Cut one string about twice as long as your arm. Securely tie each end to one of your stones. Ask for help if you need it.

5. Are you ready for the hunt? Why not sculpt a wild turkey to display with your bolo?

Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.

Crayola Modeling Materials including Crayola Model Magic®, and Model Magic Fusion™, Crayola Air-Dry Clay, and Crayola Dough—

• Keep away from open flames. Do not use to make candleholders, hot plates, trivets, or other similar objects that will be used or placed near fire and other heat sources.
• Do not put in an oven, microwave, or kiln.
• Do not make into vessels/containers that will hold unpackaged food.
• The use of modeling material to make items that look like food is discouraged for children younger than age 5 to avoid their confusion with real food.
• Unless sealed with a water-resistant glaze, do not make projects exposed to or immersed in water, such as boats or outdoor bird feeders. They would disintegrate when exposed to moisture.
• Crayola Dough—contains gluten (wheat flour) as an ingredient.
• Crayola Air-Dry Clay, Crayola Model Magic and Model Magic Fusion are gluten-free. However, they are produced on the same machinery as Crayola Dough which does contain gluten. Although the machines are cleaned prior to the start of each production run, there is a slight possibility that trace amounts of gluten from Crayola Dough may be present in the other modeling compound products. For information regarding specific ingredients or allergic concerns, please call our Consumer Affairs department at 1-800-272-9652 weekdays between 9 AM and 4 PM Eastern Standard Time.

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.

String-Like Materials—Includes string, raffia, lacing, yarn, ribbon, and other similar material. Children 3 years and younger should not be given any string-like material that is longer than 12 inches. Close adult supervision is essential whenever children use string-like material. When crafts are to be worn around the necks of children 8 years and younger, attach the ends of the “string-like material” with clear adhesive tape, which allows easy release of the bond if the craft becomes entangled or caught on equipment. For children older than 8 years, the ends of the “string-like material” may be tied and knotted.

Wood—By its nature, wood is rough and may contain splinters or sharp points

Groovy CD Case

Calypso Dancers

Inuit Snow Goggles

Crafts

crayola supplies

• Multicultural Markers
• Model Magic®
• Pointed Tip Scissors

household supplies

• string
• craft sticks

"My troop made these at our campout. We didn’t get any wild turkeys but we had a lot of fun throwing at twigs."
Cynthia H., scout leader.

"We made these at a summer family get together. The kids roped tree limbs and picnic table legs!"
Sonya W., mother of boys ages 8 and 10.

Lenape boys were not allowed to hunt larger game until they mastered the bolo. The next hunting skill they learned was how to shoot a bow and arrow. This skill allowed them to hunt deer, an animal that was used for clothing as well as food.