Serena Buono

Introduction | Literature Review | Data Analysis | Conclusion | Sources

Introduction

Understanding how kids passed their time can relay much information on what was deemed acceptable for children to do. It represents what their parents expected of them, whether it was to play board games, a specific type of game, or not play at all. For example, a popular modern game is Apples to Apples, which has cards naming a multitude of celebrities, famous events, or childish humor jokes. These childish humor jokes could include “potty humor” or random nouns that are perceived to be funny such as a monkey and banana. These games were ultimately created by adults, dictating the way children can engage with fun and free time. Looking at which board games were popular and what kind of games were being created helps us learn about the important values being instilled into children from a different time period. 

This research will delve into popular board games and their connection to societal values and patterns from 1900-1939. Some examples will be drawn from pre-1900 to illustrate the development of games, leading to their place in society later on.