Barbara K. Smith
Colonial Games and Pastimes
The student will recognize:
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1. colonial children had much less play time.
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2. games were often created while work was being done.
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3. many games were the same for adults and children.
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4. if game pieces were needed they were either found in nature or made by the players.
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5. games were often played when the completion of a major task was celebrated.
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6. girls learned to sew and do other needlecrafts at a very early age; if they enjoyed it, it might become a favored activity.
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7. boys learned to use a pen knife at a very early age; if they enjoyed it, it might become a favored activity.
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8. some games and/or rhymes were used as tools for teaching.
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9. dolls were very simple, made of fabric or wood.
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10. children enjoyed many crafts, using natural findings.
Methods of Instruction
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- Show students a large variety of items children used to play games. (wood hoops, sticks, wood balls, tops, pegs, string, rope, stones, beans, cobs, etc.)
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- Brainstorm ideas of games that could be played using these items.
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- Explain some of the games: the game of graces, hoop and stick- races, over hurdles, and around obstacles, top competitions, pick up sticks, tug of war.
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- Display a variety of crafts colonial children enjoyed making from natural findings: Corn husk dolls and wreaths, wheat weaving, home made paper books for drawing, paper fans.
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- Practice some word or arithmetic games: spelling bees, multiplication tables; sometimes a prize was awarded and it was passed on to the new winner every day.
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- Recite some educational rhymes.
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- Set up stations for small groups of children to play games or make simple crafts.
Demonstration – Checkers and Board (include student helpers)
Weave a checker board using 12 strips of dark paper and 12 strips of light paper. Secure on a sheet of brown craft paper or grocery bag. Cut 12 slices of yellow corn cob and 12 slices of Indian corn cob for the checkers.
Project – From Craft Stations
Paper book: made with two sheets newsprint paper, brown paper cover, folded in half and stitched with heavy thread.
Wheat weaving: made with 8 to 12 straws, which are moistened, folded and tied into a simple geometric ornament.
Take Home Packet
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- Directions for a variety of games.
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- Directions to make various game pieces.
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- Directions for a few simple crafts.
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- Related vocabulary words – to be defined.
