Question

At the start of "Rip Van Winkle," why is Rip popular with the children of the village?

Answer 1

B. He teaches them to fly kites and shoot marbles.

Rip Van Winkle is popular with the children of the village at the beginning of the story because he plays with them in an almost peer-like fashion.  Rip Van Winkle, indeed, teaches the children to fly kites and shoot marbles in addition to making toys for them and telling them stories.