Toys & games

A goal is something that you aim for or work towards - a goal is the end point of something. You might have a goal to save $1000 by the end of the year, or to lose 5 pounds.

In many sports, a goal is a place you try and get a ball into.

A hobby horse is a kind of toy. It is a stick with a horse's head on one end.

A hula hoop is a large ring, usually made of brightly colored plastic. You put it around your waist and swing your hips around so the hoop swirls around you and doesn't fall to the ground.

Juggling is the art of throwing some objects through the air from one hand to another, in a loop. You can juggle with balls, small bean bags, rings, skittles, burning brands, knives or even chainsaws.
Juggling is most often seen done at circuses or by street performers.
The lady in the picture is juggling with three balls, the more skilled you are the more objects you can juggle at once.

extension A kaleidoscope is a tube that has mirrors inside that shows bright, changing patterns. There are loose shapes inside the end that move around when you shake it or turn the end, and make new patterns.

The word comes from Greek words meaning "beautiful form to look at". Scottish scientist David Brewster invented the kaleidoscope in 1816. It is used as a toy, but its patterns have also inspired artists and designers.

A kite is something light that you can fly, and you keep it from getting away from you by holding onto it by a length of string. You launch a kite on a windy day by running with it until it starts to lift up, and then letting it go.

Lego is a system of building blocks that come all sorts of shapes, sizes and colors. Lego can be used to make almost anything. While it is a children's toy, many adults enjoy playing with it too, or making full-size sculptures out of it.

extension A maze is a type of puzzle where you have to find your way from one point to another point through a path that can be hard to work out. Mazes are usually drawn on paper and you find your way through by drawing a line through it with a pencil. The maze in the picture has been grown out of hedges.

A pawn in chess is the smallest game piece. There are more pawns than any other type of piece, and they can move one square at a time, or two as their first move.

A piñata is a brightly decorated container, usually made from papier-mâché, cardboard or clay. It is filled with candy or small sweet fruit and nuts, and is hung up for celebrations like Easter or birthdays.
Children hit the piñata with sticks to try and break it so the candy falls out. Often they do this wearing blindfolds.