Although Colonial children were kept busy with chores and school, occasionally there would be enough time for games. A favorite pastime was hoops. Hoops were used to make barrels and wagon wheels and were made of metal or wood. When they wore out, they were given to the children as toys. Children would race their hoops by tapping them with a stick. This was a favorite activity of our students.

    

Colonial children also enjoyed playing quoits. Quoits were rope or metal rings. These were tossed at a stake in the ground (kind of like our game of horseshoes.)

DuFief's fourth graders also tried their hand at games commonly played by children and their parents at taverns. Some were harder than they looked!

Although not a part of this field trip experience, colonial children also enjoyed dancing. It was one of the most important social pastimes of the 18th century. Dances were performed by all social classes. When a dance master came to town, all other lessons and chores were forsaken so that everyone could learn the latest dance styles.At 8 years of age, children were sent to dance masters. They learned to dance together until the age of 10 or 11. After that, boys and girls were separated unless at a supervised party or gathering.