Rather than pursue the topic of age grouping to the point where it might assume pseudo-scientific proportions, it is proposed in this chapter to apply the term "middle-aged" to children of primary and grammar school ages. This arbitrary decision is based upon the assumption that teenagers must be referred to as young men and women.

Commencing with the more advanced patterns of accomplishment which accompany increased dexterity after the pre-school period, the desirable tools of play for children six years old and upward are those which stimulate creative building, color matching, and muscular control. As the years pass, girls will strive to emulate successful housewives and mothers, while boys will act out the dramas involving historic and present day heroes.

The reader who leafs through the appendix of toys and games, classified according to suggested age groups and sexes, may notice that several of the items which follow might have been very properly included in the preceding pages devoted to the pre-schooler. The fact that such a condition will exist whenever strict compartmentation is thus attempted, has been further complicated by the presentation of progressive projects in order to needle the home builder's imagination, as well as to simplify later descriptions.

Be that as it may, it may come as a surprise to veteran homecrafters to learn that many of the pastimes produced for "aging" children will fail to wear out their initial enthusiastic welcome, remaining as high-ranking favorites almost as long as their construction or appearance lasts. Hence the repetitious advice to build strongly and finish carefully, so that the fun-producing magic will not fade too quickly.