Colonial Games – Sewing Machines Los Angeles

In Colonial times, kids had many more responsibilities and fewer resources for play than kids today. Colonial toys were very plain compared to children’s toys today. Colonial kids’ had to assist with household chores like carrying wood or water, caring for livestock, and sewing and cooking. There was much less time for play in Colonial times but kids still found time for fun and games.

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.

Some of the most common games and activities for Colonial kids were tag, relay racing, leap frog, and “London Bridge is Falling Down”. Swimming and sledding were seasonal favorites and all of these activities are still popular today. Jump rope and hopscotch were other common games that stood the test of time.

When kids did have toys to play with, they were often meant for more than just play. Toys and games of the time had educational value too. Tag, swimming, and ball games developed physical abilities like speed and strength. These prepared children for physical work as adults. Less physical games like blocks and peg games improved problem solving and analytical skills.

Toys in Colonial times were often homemade by kids or their parents. Dolls could be made of anything from hay to scraps of cloth. And extra wood could make archery sets, spinning tops, peg games, and ball and cup toys.

If kids did have toys to play with they were usually very simple and practical. Hoops were very popular to play with. Kids would either run and roll hoops or toss and catch them. Arching toys taught kids to aim and developed their hunting skills for when they were older. Colonial boys often played with a ball or would fly a kite. Girls would sew or play with dolls.

Another classic Colonial toy was the ball and cup toy. It is a small cup with a handle and a ball attached by a string. The purpose of the game is to catch the ball in the cup. This toy develops hand eye coordination. Spinning tops were another simple, classic toy from Colonial times. Tops are easily made from leftover wood found around the house. They were entertaining to play with and there are many different designs of tops that kids used to make. Jacob’s Ladder is another Colonial toy that is still around today. This toy was made from pieces of wood rather than cards and is a fun illusion for kids.

Dice was another simple prop in child’s play and in Colonial times, dice games could be as simple as repetitive rolls or become more complicated as kids added more rules. Marbles were another old favorite that could be the foundation of any number of Colonial games. Jacks and wooden peg games were great logic and strategy games that could be played with alone or in groups.

I’m sure you recognize more than a few of these Colonial toys. Many of these historical toys and games have survived the years and are still popular in modern times. Colonial games like tag and racing are still common today as well as simplistic playthings like marbles, hoops, blocks, and kites.