[trmpetplaya]

I was thinking today - Guns and trucks are a relatively recent invention (especially trucks) and yet they are considered the quintessential "boy toys." So what DID little boys play with before guns and trucks? Sticks and stones is my best guess

love and peace.

 

[laohaire]

Toy soldiers (with swords)!

It seems that was the popular choice between middle ages (and possibly earlier) up to 1900 or so.

 

[Kidzaplenty]

My boys favorites are sticks, rocks, dirt, and bugs! I am sure they have been around for a VERY long time.

 

[Ann-Marita]

Balls, marbles, jacks, architectural blocks, bikes, skates. I'm sure I'll have more ideas later, but these popped into my head.

 

[Kidzaplenty]

The picture that keeps coming into my head is a little boy with a stick and a dog. I am sure that was a big thing before "toys".

 

[maya44]

Before guns and trucks...why guns and trucks... Yep its true..just not in that form!

Historically it WAS weapons (including toy knight with swords) which are of course what 'guns' are. In other words, boys were ALWAYS playing with weapons.

And I think it is the same with trucks which are a mode of transportation, I believe early boy toys often involved modes of transport: horses, boats etc...

The bottom line it that there is NO real change in this (just a change in what the weapon or mode of transport is!).

 

[flapjack]

Trucks= pooh sticks. Floating a leaf down a river.
My boys haven't completed a trip out of the house since the age of 10 months without coming home with a stick in one hand, a stone in a pocket and muddy knees.

 

[Sagesgirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by maya44 Before guns and trucks...why guns and trucks... Yep its true..just not in that form! Historically it WAS weapons (including toy knight with swords) which are of course what 'guns' are. In other words, boys were ALWAYS playing with weapons. And I think it is the same with trucks which are a mode of transportation, I believe early boy toys often involved modes of transport: horses, boats etc... The bottom line it that there is NO real change in this (just a change in what the weapon or mode of transport is!).

Gotta agree with that.

 

[Mama Poot]

sticks, stones, bow and arrow? slingshot? this is interesting!

 

[Avonlea]

Dirt. Water. Rocks. Wood of some form.

I know though that weapons and mini-transport toys have been part and parcel to childrens play since the get go.

I don't like gun play, but I also understand that my childrens pre-historic ancestors played at killing things and that was just par for the course for them.

So, although i don't allow gun/shooting play, I also don't get too super upset and call stuff ''sexist' too fast or get very surprised when a piece of bark and a mud puddle equal a pirate ship at sea and small pebbles become cannon balls .

 

[darkpear]

Toy swords (or sticks) and wooden horses