Home >> Games & Cards >> Kids Games

Games That Colonial Children Played

Colonial children spent their time inventing things to do and came up with their own games. Colonial children were required to work to help keep the home running by having daily chores. In their free time, common household items, such as buttons and string were often used to make toys. Money was not spent purchasing items, so they had to be creative and use what they had.

Whirlygig
- A whirlygig was a toy held between both hands, similar to a yo-yo. A whirlygig is made using a piece of cardboard that is cut in a circle with two holes in the middle or by using a large two-hole button. String two pieces of string into the holes so there will be one string in each hole. The ends are then tied together. The button or cardboard is twirled in a circle until it is tangled and then pulled. The whirlygig spins in a circle. The string is worked by pulling and then relaxing, which moves the button or cardboard in and out like a yo-yo.
Gliffes and Riddles
- Gliffes were tongue-twisters children would take turns saying. According to Plimoth Plantation, one popular tongue twister for children from the 1600s was "Dick drunk drink in a dish; where's the dish Dick drunk drink in?" The children also made up and asked each other riddles. Word games were popular because they could be played anywhere and without anything but an imagination.
Blindman's Bluff
- Blindman's Bluff was played with a simple blindfold or cloth to place over the eyes. If you were "it" then you wear the blindfold and stand in a circle The other children hold hands and spin in a circle around you. You clap three times to make the children stop. Then you point your finger at someone and they had to stand in a circle while you feel their face to try and tell who they are. If you guess correctly then that person becomes it and is blindfolded. If you guess incorrectly then you must chase them blindfolded until you can touch them on their head, clothing or feet.
Common Games
- Many games that the colonial children played are still popular today. They would jump rope and play hopscotch. Many children would play outdoor sports, running games like tag and snap the whip were popular.

Kids Games