Ask students to name the different games they play at home or in the school yard during recess. Ask students to speculate what they think children played in the 1840's. Read through the games and discuss. Students can try playing some of the parlor games in class.
Groups can try solving the puzzles or try to create their own.
Ask students to compare and contrast the games of the past with those of today. Students can try to design their own games to play at recess or at parties. They may want to design a game that is centered around the City of Cleveland Bicentennial.