The History of Toys and Games would be useful for classes on World History, American History, American Culture, Gender History, the History of Science and Technology and Psychology. It is appropriate for middle school and high school. Discuss how each culture has its own distinct types of toys. Compare different toys from different regions. Discuss how toys are both stimulants for imagination and the product of the imagination.
Toys can tell much about their society.
We all know that toys provide entertainment and delight for children, but they also serve other purposes. Girls' toys and boys' toys can be very different and gender specific. Discuss how a society's accepted gender roles are evident in the ways in which toys are assigned to girls or boys. Archeologists have found dolls among the oldest ruins and artifacts. Extended Activities Create a simple toy and explain how your toy can be used and what benefit it would be to a growing child.