Children played a number of different games from 1875 to 1945. Despite the change in recess games over time, the purpose of the games never changed, and that was to always have fun.
In the 1870's, games that were played at recess tended to involve open spaces like fields that could be found close by. Due to the lack of development in most areas, it was easier to find a large open field than a dedicated building or play equipment.
In the 1940's, a lot of games revolved around the local playground or gymnasium. In the 1940's, play equipment was easier to come by at schools so there was a shift from games that were played in fields to dedicated areas such as the playgrounds or gymnasiums.
This photo was taken from Kellscraft.com
Examples of 1870's Games |
Shinny: This game is similar to Field Hockey in how it is played. The game involves two teams trying to hit a ball into the opponents base "Home/Goal" . A major difference between this and hockey is the fact that in Shinny you have a person who has the position as mounter. His job is to, at the start when the ball comes into play, hit the ball as hard as he can towards the opponents goal. Which ever team scores a goal then the next time the ball comes into play, that teams mounter get a chance to hit the ball. You win by gaining more goals than the opposing team. |
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This photo was taken from Hockeyhaiku.com |
Americans and English: This game is like Tug of War. Two captains are picked and they choose teams. Both teams form on either side of a line drawn on the ground . The point of the game is for one team to pull the complete other team over the line. However, no rope was used. The teams had to pull on parts of the body in order to get the opponent across the line. |
Examples of 1940's Games |
Baste The Bear: This game could be played in a gymnasium or a field depending on the weather condition outside. The game used two positions: one person was the bear, and one person was the bears keeper. The two players would both hold a rope to connect themselves to each other. The rest of the players would form a ring around the bear and his keeper. The point of the game was for the bear's keeper to tag the bear without getting tagged by the keeper. If a person in the ring won he would then become the bear, the bear would become the keeper and the game would go on. |
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Here are children enjoying the carousel in a field near the schoolhouse. Another common peice of playground equipment that the schoolhouse had was a swing set. |
Games Played in the 1870's and 1940's |
Baseball was a field game played that is still popular to this day. Children could play the game in various places such as an open field or an empty lot. Children also played games meant to enhance their education. Academic games utilized by teachers include arithmetic and word games. These games helped children learn vocabulary skills as well as math skills. Click here to see a video of children playing baseball in the 1930s. |
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Text and photos courtesy of the Johnson County Historical Society unless otherwise note