Toys in Colonial America

Children often had more responsibilities in Colonial America than they do today, but there was still time for some play. Children from wealthier families had more toys bought for them, but most of them also improvised and made toys for themselves. For example, Indian children made cornhusk dolls, and settlers learned to do the same. In poorer families, all of the toys were usually made at home.

Some of the toys and recreation prepared children for tasks they would need later. This was especially true for older children, but a child learned skills much earlier than we would expect today. Sewing is a good example of this. Girls often began learning to sew around age five, and boys engaged in some form of target practice, which would help them become able hunters.

Early toys included such items as jump ropes, rag dolls, clay marbles, quoits (ring toss), hoops, nine pins, whirligigs, tops, jig doll, cup and ball, and draughts (similar to checkers). Older boys might play with cards or dice, but parents often frowned on this, and gambling was illegal in most of the colonies. Toys might have been more limited in colonial times, but children found ways to have fun.

    

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