Tao Wing (Thai Running Coconut-Shell Turtle) — Half a Coconut Shell on a Cotton-Reel Wheel Held by Rubber Bands, a 50 cm Pull String; Pull, Release and it Runs

"Pull the string on top of the shell and let go, and the shell turtle runs forward; or spin the cotton-reel wheel by hand and let go; or pull it along." (Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, CC BY 4.0)

Husk a mature, dry coconut with no water inside, scrape out the flesh and split it lengthwise in half. Use the half with 1 eye for the turtle. Clean it, drill a hole in the middle, and cut 2 notches on each side of the shell for the rubber bands.

Shave a scrap of wood into a round axle fixed through a cotton reel as the wheel, smaller than the shell, with both ends notched slightly so a rubber band can hold it. Shave wood into a head and tail for the turtle and decorate the shell as you like.

Fit the wheel to the shell with rubber bands. Tie a string about 50 cm long to the wheel and wind it round the wheel toward the head. Pass the other end out through the hole in the top of the shell and tie it to a small stick to pull.

Drawing of coconut-shell running toys (Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, CC BY 4.0).

Pull the string on top of the shell and let go, and the turtle runs forward; or spin the cotton-reel wheel by hand and let go; or pull it along.

The running turtle is a toy from natural materials; the half shell with 2 eyes can make a rabbit or mouse instead. Take care with the knife when splitting and shaving. Source: Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, Traditional Objects of Everyday Use database, "เต่าวิ่ง" (CC BY 4.0 licence). **Limits** The source gives no size for the cotton reel or rubber bands, and there is no listing for coconut shells or cotton reels, so they are named in the text.