In a world without television or video games, a child's question of "what shall we do?" had to be met with a considerably more hands-on approach. Interactive games in Victorian days meant... actually interacting with other children! Here are some of the ways Victorian parents (and nannies) met the challenge of keeping the children entertained.

Juvenile Department: Tableaux and Fireside Games (monthly) (Godey's, 1863)

Games [for Children] (Godey's, 1873)

John Spooner's Great Human Menagerie, by Joel Stacy (St. Nicholas, 1875)

This is basically an explanation of how to create a "menagerie" of children using some rather clever costumes.

Children's Pleasures, by Phillis Browne(Cassell's Family Magazine, 1876)

How to keep the young ones entertained (along with tips on what to avoid).

What To Do on Holiday Afternoons (Girl's Own Paper, 1880)

Indoor word games - rhyming, guessing, etc. - to play on a holiday afternoon.

The Magic Pen, by E.S. Brooks (St. Nicholas, 1882A)

A parlor "operetta" for children to perform.

The Games and Amusements of the Month - (Little Folks, 1883)

July - Lawn tennis, cricket, rowing and sailing, and seaside sports.

August - Rowing, canoeing, quoits, lawn tennis; ring-the-bell; collecting leaves, seaweeds and seashells.

September - La Crosse; baseball; tricycle-riding.

October - Football; hockey; rhyming/counting games; frog-pond; will o' the wisp

November - Indoor games, including stamp collecting, guessing games, "lion-hunting," and the Sixteen Puzzle.

December - Skating, sliding, curling, snowballing, and some indoor games.

An Account of Some New Winter Games (Little Folks, 1883)

Some indoor games for children.

Upon a Rainy Day (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1888)

Tips for entertaining children indoors.

The Street-Games of Children, by Frances H. Low (The Strand, 1891)

Tipcat, Bucks and Gobs, Hard Buttons, Poor Jenny, Bobby Bingo... these are just a few of the entertainments enjoyed by the children of Victorian London!

Outdoor Games from Over the Sea (Girl's Own Paper, 1892)

A 6-part series with a host of fascinating details about variations on counting games, tag, game songs and such from around the world.

Village Children's Games (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1893)

Drop the Handkerchief, Milk-Cans, and Cat and Mouse...

A Story and a Game, by Ada Chester Bond (Ladies Home Journal, 1896)

How to set up a small board game for children.

Lady Blunderpin's Family Coach, by M.K. Jessop (St. Nicholas, 1900A)

A sort of "musical chairs" rhyming game for children.

See also

• Toys

• Children's Parties

• Christmas Games & Entertainments

• Victorian Recreations & Pastimes