What? No Batteries? Toy Program

Objective: Students will compare and contrast the toys of the mid nineteenth century with toys of the modern age.

Pre Activity

Activity 1

Have the student bring in their favorite small toy. Allow each student to present the toy to the class, show how it works, what material is it made of, and why they chose this toy as their favorite.

Activity 2

Suggested Reading

If You Lived 100 Years Ago, written by Ann McGovern

If You Lived at the Time of the Civil War by Kay Moore

Post Activity

Activity 1 (Onsite Tour Only)

Many toys of the mid nineteenth century were made from wood, fabric or recycled items. Have students invent their own toy. They can only use raw materials, such as paper, wood, cloth, string. Have them present their toy to the class and have a contest for the best toy invention. Allow the students time to play with the other children’s invention.

Activity 2

Have students write in their journal the different toys they saw in the program. What was their favorite toy seen. Why? Have them discuss or write in their journal if they like toys from the past or present better and why.

Activity 3

Have the students choose one game to play from the list. These are games the children of the mid 1800s may have played.

Discuss the games and if the students still play any of the games today.

Choices of games:

Dodge ball

Red light/green light

Tic-tac-toe

Simon says

Guess what I am

Kick the can

Doggy, doggy, where is your bone/

Sharks and minnows

Leap frog