Hobbies And Interests
Recognizable Games
Some games played by children in the Middle Ages are still played today in a very similar form. "Blindman's Bluff," in which one child is blindfolded and attempts to catch the others in a group, is one such example, and was also known as "Hoodman's Blind." Another is "Hide and Seek," in which an individual must count to a predetermined number before searching for his fellow players within a location. The other players must find suitable places to hide and attempt to remain undetected for as long as possible. Both games are suitable for kids ages 5 and up.
Archaic Games
Some Middle Ages kids' games are no longer commonly played in the 21st century. Many medieval children played at stone throwing, which literally involved flinging small stones at a target, usually located on the ground; the most accurate shot won the game. "Queek" was played on a checkered cloth, spread across a table or flat ground. Kids took it in turns to chuck pebbles at the board; before each throw, the player guessed which of the two board colors the pebble would land on. Players received a point for each correct guess. These games were suited towards kids ages 5 and up.
Online Action Games
These games are played through a user's web browser, and are typically available for free; each is based on a facet of the Middle Ages topic. For instance, "Medieval Jousting" places players in the role of a knight in shining armor taking part in a jousting tournament. The player must use skillful timing to select the right speed for the joust and aim her weapon to defeat her opponent. The game is suitable for kids of ages 8 and up. In "Black Knight," a simple side-scrolling game for kids of age 8 and up, the player controls a henchman of a local lord, and collects taxes. The player uses the keyboard to control her knight and can bash objects with a club to pick up gold coins.
Online Educational Games
Some online games have been created to educate kids about the Middle Ages. The "Heraldry Game" takes the form of an Internet-based quest that places players in the role of a teenager growing up in a medieval nobleman's house. The player follows the written story on screen, learning about heraldry and how to recognize different types of heraldic designs. At multiple points during the game, the player will be asked to put this knowledge to the test by correctly answering a multiple-choice question on heraldry to proceed. The game is best suited for kids ages 8 and above.