Calonial games

Luckily, as homeschoolers, we have the ability to show kids how fascinating history really is. Instead of relying on textbooks, let middle schoolers look at primary sources, play colonial games, build projects, eat appropriate food, and dress-up in period attire. This page contains affiliate links. Colonial America Map Activities. Shut the Box Game Add some old-world charm - and fun - to your next gathering. A traditional game of counting, addition, and probability, Shut-the-Box dates as far back as the 12th century when this game was enjoyed by Norman fishermen after a long day at sea.

Roll the Pieces of Eight Ahoy, matey! Your little pirates will want a few of these reproduction coins to run through their fingers when dressing up as a pirate. Makes a fun educational tool for the classroom too. Numbers Dice Games Similar to games played in the 18th century, this fun numbers dice game reinforces spelling, counting and math skills.

Simulated ivory dice come with instructions for several ways to play. Features Used to Educate and Entertain Set of 8 1" Quoits is what we know today as ring toss or horseshoes. For this activity, you need rings made of rope, iron, leather, or even tree branches and a stake hob.

Decide how far players should stand across from the stake to throw and draw a line there. Players take turns tossing their rings toward the stake, attempting to get them around it.

If the ring completely encircles the stake, you receive 2 points. If the ring leans against the stake, you receive 1 point. This simple toy was made with a button or small piece of wood and string. We have made our own on several occasions and I am always surprised how much fun the kids have with these toys.

Your children can decorate the whirligigs with markers or color pencils to make it their own. This toy is one of the activities included in our Discover the 13 Colonies Study Guide. As you can see, kids in the 13 Colonies found ways to have a lot of fun. They were specifically looking for a place where they could practice their religion without government interference Warner In the s, Holland established colonies in what is now Albany, New York, and Manhattan Island in order to trade with Native Americans and other colonists Warner Over the years, other groups arrived from different countries including France, Portugal, and Sweden.

These people were explorers, exiles, and settlers Warner 16, New colonies were formed, and towns and cities grew as more people came. By the time the American Revolution began in , England's small colonies had turned into thirteen large ones with over two million people living there Warner In the early days of the colonies, life was hard, and the colonists spent most of their time working hard to ensure their survival.

Entertainment was a low priority. Later, as the colonies grew and life became easier, the colonists found more time to enjoy themselves Lizon 9.

As far as games go, there were some classics which could be found throughout the colonies, but some games which were welcome in certain colonies weren't welcome in others. For example, the Puritans of New England had laws against gambling games. They also generally didn't tolerate games that were considered to be irreverent, like the card game called Matrimony, which they believed made a mockery of marriage Daniels However, gambling games were popular with men living in Virginia and were played openly both in private homes and public taverns Carson