Colonial Games
In Colonial times, kids had to work hard and contribute to their families with time consuming daily chores. Not only would they go to school, but Colonial kids also had to carry wood, tend to animals, sew or help with the cooking and many more daily household chores. Even though they didn’t have lots of time to play, Colonial children found time for fun. They made daily activities into games and had modest colonial toys.
Chores filled a lot of time for kids in Colonial times but many kids would turn daily responsibilities into games or competitions. Tasks like carrying wood could be turned into play by allowing kids to compete against each other in speed and strength. Families in Colonial times were also very large so kids always had companions for play. Many times they would even play without toys by singing or saying favorite rhymes. Racing and tag were old favorites of the time and sometimes kids would even create new games.
Games that Colonial kids played included modern favorites like tag, racing, and leap frog. Jump rope and hopscotch were fun games that only required simple props to play. Kids would also swim or sled depending on the weather. As you can see, all of these games and activities stood the test of time and are still favorites today.
When kids did play games or have toys, they were usually not just for fun and enjoyment. Colonial toys and games often had an educational purpose as well. Games like tag, racing, swimming or playing with a ball would develop physical skills like running and throwing. This prepared them for labor in their adult life. Other toys and games like peg games, and blocks developed more intellectual skills like problem solving.
Colonial toys were made at home by kids or their parents from things found around the house. Dolls that Colonial girls played with could be made of anything from old clothes to wood. Extra wood could make spinning tops, archery sets, or jacks.
When kids did have toys to play with they were very simple compared to today’s toys. Hoops were a favorite plaything. Kids would make games out of rolling or tossing them. Arching sets improved hunting skills. Dolls, Balls, and kites are other common toys that kept kids entertained and stood the test of time.
Colonial kids would play with different styles of spinning tops which could be made from leftover pieces of wood found around the house. Jacob’s Ladder was another Colonial toy that you may be familiar with. It was made from wood and was a fun illusion for kids.
Dice was a great toy for solitary games of chance or more complicated group games. Marbles could be the base for a number of games in Colonial times. And jacks and peg games used logic or strategy and could be played with in groups or by oneself.
I’m sure you recognize more than a few of these Colonial toys. Not only have the games and activities survived but simple toys like dice, marbles, jacks, and blocks are still common and popular today. Though they are simplistic they’re still fun and challenging for kids today!
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