Summary

Alternative Name(s): Buzzer

Button spinner, made at the Children's Museum's 'You're IT!' exhibition held in Melbourne in 1989.

Throughout the world, and particularly in developing countries, children play with toys and other playthings which have been homemade, by themselves or adults, for their amusement. They are often made from easily obtained materials like pieces of wood, wire or cloth, or recycled packaging materials. This button spinner is an example of a simple home-made plaything made from materials found around the home. It is entertaining and demonstrates imaginative use of materials.

The Australian Children's Folklore Collection (ACFC) is unique in Australia, documenting contemporary children's folklore across Australia and in other countries reaching back to the 1870s. The Collection has a strong component of research material relating to Victoria.

Physical Description

Large brown button with a flanged edge, slightly convex shape and two holes in the centre. A piece of lightweight off-white string is threaded through the button and then tied to form a loop. When an end of the looped string is held in each hand, the button is suspended in the centre. The button spinner is operated by rotating the string in a circle until it twists and then gently moving the hands in and out. The button spins and moves up and down on the string.

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