Play throughout the ages, BANDltd.Bristol Association for Neighbourhood Daycare

Play throughout the ages

1900’s:

In a stark contrast to today, in the early 1900’s children were expected to entertain themselves. There was no money for expensive toys, and the adults were too busy to set anything up. Children expected nothing else and enjoyed themselves.

Games played included: conkers, ‘please we’ve come to learn the trade’, hide and seek, knocking down ginger, jacks, marbles, pie crust coming, cowboys and indians, swinging on lamp post crossbars, bicycle riding, leapfrog, football, & other ball games.

Brownies, Cubs, Scouts and Guides were also big institutions during this period – almost a rite of passage into adulthood for most.

1940’s:

Hobbies and games in the 1940’s used to be simple and involve lots of imagination. A good job too with the war years still a close memory and most families not having a penny to spare. In the early 40’s toys were getting more advanced, but they all had sort of a war slant to them. Guns and military type toys were in every little boy’s hands. Girls were playing house, pretending to be mummy, feeding and clothing their little baby dolls.

1950’s:

In the 1950’s children were often out playing games in the streets outside their houses. Children also played different types of games, with more simple toys – they had footballs, hula hoops, skipping ropes and cards.

Boys and girls played street games together, such as run outs, hopscotch and British bulldog. In the playground schoolgirls practiced handstands and cartwheels, while the boys played conkers.

50’s and 60’s:

The 50’s and 60’s are when you start to see a shift into the modern day as today’s children would (just about) be able to recognise. Technology had started to come along and children were becoming wise to the alternative play options available.

Other Links:
https://www.bl.uk/playtimes
http://www.vam.ac.uk/moc/exhibitions/modern-british-childhood/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/0/ww1/25183931

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