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Teaching Resources for Your Classroom

Colonial Williamsburg offers a variety of quality instructional materials to help you teach students about eighteenth-century children's games and life in early America, including the following:

Aesop's Fables Playing CardsAESOP'S FABLES PLAYING CARDS

Eighteenth-century playing cards feature Aesop's Fables. Based on a deck printed by I. Kirk ca 1759. $7.00. To purchase call
1-800-688-6473 or use the order form in the Teaching Resources Catalog.



 

Bilbo CatcherBILBO CATCHER

A popular eighteenth-century children's toy, the bilbo catcher (ball and stick) was a skill game from Bilboa, Spain. $8.00. To purchase call
1-800-688-6473 or use the order form in the Teaching Resources Catalog.


 

Clay MarblesCLAY MARBLES

The leather bag contains eleven (10 regular and one shooter) eighteenth-century-style clay marbles. $9.00. To purchase, call
1-800-688-6473 or use the order form in the Teaching Resources Catalog.




 

The Royal and Most Pleasant Game of Goose & DiceTHE ROYAL AND MOST PLEASANT GAME OF GOOSE & DICE

A popular colonial board game. Players follow simple rules to move around the board with a toss of the dice (included). Heavyweight paper, 17 1/2" x 23" $8.00. To purchase call
1-800-688-6473 or use the order form in the Teaching Resources Catalog.





 

The New Game of Human Life & DiceTHE NEW GAME OF HUMAN LIFE & DICE

Another popular colonial board game. Players move around the board and through the stages of life—infancy to old age (dice included). Paper, 17 1/2" x 23 1/2" $9.50. To purchase call 1-800-688-6473 or use the order form in the Teaching Resources Catalog.




 

I. Hardy Playing CardsI. HARDY PLAYING CARDS

Eighteenth-century playing cards were printed on heavy paper and imported to the colonies from England. Based on a deck printed by I. Hardy ca 1765. $7.00. To purchase, call 1-800-688-6473 or use the order form in the Teaching Resources Catalog.



 

Jaw HarpJAW HARP

The jaw harp has been played since the Middle Ages. This form was especially popular in Scotland where dancers stepped a jig to its lively, twanging note. The harp is capable of producing only a single note, but players can vary the instrument's tone by changing the shape of their mouths. Instructions and leather carrying case included. $10.00. To purchase, call 1-800-688-6473 or use the order form in the Teaching Resources Catalog.


 

Slate and PencilSLATE AND PENCIL

In the eighteenth century, a roughly hewn writing slate was an essential piece of equipment for any young student. $6.00. To purchase, call
1-800-688-6473 or use the order form in the Teaching Resources Catalog.




 

Wooden TopWOODEN TOP

This turned maple top is adapted from an eighteenth-century example found by archaeologists during excavations of Colonel Joh Custis's well in Williamsburg. $6.00. To purchase, call 1-800-688-6473 or use the order form in the Teaching Resources Catalog.