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Introduction
The Victorian era (1837-1901) was a time of remarkable change in Britain, driven by industrialization, social reforms, and innovations in science and technology. For children, it was a period where toys and games evolved rapidly, reflecting the newfound prosperity of the growing middle class and the cultural values of the time.
The toys of this era offer fascinating insights into the lives of Victorian children and the world around them. From simple homemade dolls to elaborate mechanical marvels, toys played a crucial role in shaping childhood, providing both education and entertainment.
Facts about Victorian toys
Most Victorian toys were made from natural materials like wood, metal, and fabric, allowing many to be passed down through generations.
For the outdoors, toys like kites, footballs and skipping ropes promoted physical play, while traditional games like Marbles encouraged social interaction. Indoors, educational toys, such as building blocks and puzzles were the norm.
Some Victorian toys and games were gender neutral and encouraged learning through play, while others promoted clearly defined gender roles. For boys, toy soldiers and trains reflected the military and industrial values of the time while, for girls, dolls, doll houses and tea sets prepared young females for motherhood and domestic life.
Today, some original Victorian toys are collectables, with items like tin toys and dolls fetching high prices at auctions, but many others are still popular today and affordable to buy. In this article, we’ll explore the most popular toys of the Victorian era that have survived the test of time and have remained popular over the centuries.
What toys were popular in victorian times?
Toys in Victorian times ranged from simple homemade playthings for working-class children to elaborate and beautifully designed toys for wealthier families. Many of these items also aimed to teach children about societal roles and often reflected the values of the time, while emphasizing creativity, craftsmanship and learning through play.
Below is a list of Victorian-era toys that you can still buy today.
1. Cup and Ball
The cup-and-ball is a traditional Victorian toy that challenged players’ hand-eye coordination. It helped to improve concentration and fine motor skills, making it both a fun and challenging game.
The cup-and-ball remains a beloved classic toy today, enjoyed by people of all ages.
- 1. Design: It consists of a wooden cup attached to a handle, with a small ball connected by a string. The goal is to swing the ball into the air and catch it in the cup.
- 2. How to Play: Players hold the handle and try to catch the ball in the cup by swinging the string. Advanced versions of the game involve different tricks, such as catching the ball on a spike on the other end of the handle.
- 3. Popularity: The simplicity and portability of the cup-and-ball made it a popular toy among Victorian children, providing endless entertainment and a test of skill.
- 4. Skills Developed: It helps improve hand-eye coordination, concentration, and fine motor skills, making it both a fun and challenging game.
2. Spinning Tops
A simple yet highly popular toy in Victorian times, spinning tops appealed to children from all social classes due to their ease of use and are still popular today.
Spinning tops were a favourite at fairs and marketplaces, where children could buy them as an affordable treat. Produced in various sizes, larger ones required a string to set them off, while smaller ones could be spun using just the fingers. Above, survivor Robert Douglas Spedden plays with, perhaps, the most famous spinning top in history on the upper deck of the RMS Titanic..
- 1. Design: Tops were usually made from wood or metal and came in various shapes and sizes. Some were hand-painted with colourful patterns that would create mesmerising effects as the top spun.
- 2. Operation: Children would spin the top by winding a string around it and pulling quickly, or by using their fingers to set it in motion.
- 3. Cultural Impact: The simplicity of the spinning top made it a universal toy, enjoyed by children in both rural and urban areas. It encouraged healthy outdoor play, as children often competed to see whose top could spin the longest.
3. The Yo-yo
The yo-yo is a classic toy with a long history, including significant popularity during the Victorian era. This simple yet captivating toy has entertained children and adults alike for generations. During the Victorian era, yo-yos were often made from wood or tin and were popular among children. They were simple yet versatile, with players inventing new tricks and techniques to showcase their skills.
The yo-yo remains a timeless toy, celebrated for its simplicity and the joy it brings to players of all skill levels.
- 1. Design: A yo-yo typically consists of two round disks (called “wings”) connected by an axle, with a string attached to the axle. Players hold the string, allowing the yo-yo to spin and move up and down.
- 2. How It Works: To use a yo-yo, the player “throws” it downward, allowing it to unwind from the string. As it reaches the end of the string, the weight of the yo-yo causes it to spin. The player can then pull the string to make the yo-yo return to their hand. Mastering the technique allows for various tricks and manoeuvres.
- 3. History: The yo-yo has ancient origins, with evidence of similar toys found in Greece and China dating back thousands of years. However, it gained significant popularity in the 19th century, particularly in the United States, where it became associated with playful tricks and competitions.
4. Pickup sticks
Many Victorian games were designed to test intellectual and fine motor skills. Pickup sticks, also known as “Jackstraws” or “Spillikins”, was one such popular game of skill and dexterity. The game consisted of a bundle of thin sticks, usually made of wood or bone, that were dropped into a pile. Players took turns attempting to carefully remove a stick from the heap without disturbing the others.
Each stick carried a different point value based on its colour or size, adding a strategic element to the game. Pickup sticks required a steady hand and concentration, making it a favourite pastime in Victorian parlours and a test of patience and precision.
- 1. Materials: Sticks were typically made from wood or bone.
- 2. Gameplay: Players drop a bundle of sticks into a pile and take turns removing one stick at a time without disturbing the others.
- 3. Scoring: Each stick could have different point values based on its colour or size, adding a strategic aspect to the game.
- 4. Skills Developed: Requires a steady hand, concentration, and patience.
- 5. Popularity: A favourite Victorian parlour game, often played among family and friends as a test of skill and dexterity.
5. Pull-Along Toys
Pull-Along Toys were a popular form of entertainment for young Victorian children, combining fun with simple physical activity. These toys often had wheels and could be dragged behind as the child walked or ran, offering endless amusement. Pull-along trains were a particular favourite in an age of steam locomotion.
Pull-along toys remain a timeless classic today, loved for their vintage charm and ability to engage young children in active, imaginative play.
- 1.Design: Pull-along toys usually featured animals like horses, ducks, or dogs, or even small carriages or carts. They often had moving parts that would add an element of fun, such as flapping wings or wagging tails, activated as the wheels turned.
- 2. Mechanism: The child would pull the toy using a string or cord attached to the front. As the toy moved, wheels would turn and any attached mechanisms would animate, creating a charming movement.
- 3. Popularity: These toys were especially popular among toddlers, encouraging walking and coordination. The design could range from very simple, with just a few wheels and a body, to more elaborate, with detailed carvings and paintwork.
- 4. Materials: Victorian pull-along toys were primarily made of wood, but some included tin parts or wheels to add durability and movement.
6. Kaleidoscopes
Victorian kaleidoscopes were captivating optical toys that delighted children and adults alike. Invented in 1816, these optical toys quickly became popular during the Victorian era for their mesmerising patterns and vibrant colours. A typical kaleidoscope consisted of a tube lined with mirrors, with colourful beads or glass pieces at the end.
When the tube was rotated, the reflections of the beads created intricate, ever-changing symmetrical designs. Kaleidoscopes introduced Victorian children to concepts of light, reflection and geometry, offering endless visual entertainment. These toys reflected the Victorian fascination with science and discovery, while also inspiring creative designs in art, fashion, and textiles.
- 1. Design: A typical kaleidoscope consisted of a tube with mirrors inside and colourful beads or glass pieces at the end. When the tube was turned, the mirrors reflected the pieces in intricate, ever-changing patterns.
- 2. Educational Value: Kaleidoscopes introduced children to concepts of geometry, symmetry, and light refraction. They also provided endless visual entertainment, encouraging creativity and imagination.
- 3. Cultural Fascination: The kaleidoscope reflected the Victorian fascination with science and invention, as well as the era’s love for decorative arts and patterns.
7. Jigsaw Puzzles
Jigsaw puzzles gained popularity during the Victorian era, reflecting the period’s growing emphasis on education and intellectual development.
Puzzles reflected the Victorian preoccupation with intellectual play and often provided a cure for the boredom of long winter evenings.
- 1. Origins: Jigsaw puzzles were originally created in the 18th century as educational tools to teach geography. By the Victorian era, they had evolved into a popular pastime for both children and adults.
- 2. Educational Role: Many Victorian puzzles depicted maps, historical scenes, or biblical stories, combining entertainment with moral and educational lessons. Puzzles helped children develop problem-solving skills and patience.
- 3. Materials: Early jigsaw puzzles were made from wood, with pictures pasted onto the surface and cut into pieces. Later, cardboard puzzles became more common, making them more affordable.
8. Toy Soldiers
For Victorian boys, toy soldiers were a favourite pastime. These miniature representations of soldiers were not just toys but were also seen as a way to instil patriotism, discipline, and an understanding of military life.
Wooden or metal soldiers were both common during both the Victorian and Edwardian periods but, by the mid 20th century, the use of lead in toy soldiers was increasingly seen as a cause of lead poisoning in children. After WWI and WWII sparked renewed interest in toy soldiers, American toy companies began to export cheap, mass produced plastic soldiers to children across the western world.
- 1. Materials: Early toy soldiers were made from wood or lead. By the late 19th century, lead toy soldiers had become the norm, often hand-painted with intricate details to represent different regiments, both British and foreign.
- 2. Sets and Themes: Toy soldiers were often sold in sets, allowing children to reenact famous battles or create their own. Some sets were based on historical events, such as the Battle of Waterloo, while others were more generic depictions of soldiers in action.
- 3. Influence of the British Empire: Britain’s expansion during the Victorian era fueled the popularity of military toys, as children could recreate battles from far-off lands.
9. Noah’s Ark
A staple of Victorian nurseries, Noah’s Ark sets were not only toys but also teaching tools, combining religious education with imaginative play. Noah’s Ark sets provided a way for children to engage with religious teachings while enjoying the creative possibilities of play.
- 1. Design: A typical Noah’s Ark set consisted of a wooden ark and pairs of animals. The animals were often carved from wood and painted in bright colours, while the ark itself could range from a simple box-like structure to a more elaborate model.
- 2. Religious Significance: As religion played a central role in Victorian life, Noah’s Ark sets were used to teach children biblical stories, particularly the story of Noah and the flood. These toys were considered morally appropriate for Sunday play, as they conveyed religious themes.
- 3. Variety: The most basic sets included only the ark and a few animals, while more expensive versions featured a large collection of animals, along with Noah and his family. Some sets were so elaborate that they became display pieces rather than toys.
10. Zoetropes
A zoetrope is an early animation device that creates the illusion of motion through a sequence of images. It was popular in the Victorian era as a form of entertainment and is one of the earliest examples of motion picture technology.
Zoetropes helped pave the way for the development of cinema by introducing the concept of sequential images creating movement, and it remains a fascinating example of early optical illusions.
- 1. Design: A typical zoetrope consists of a cylindrical drum with slits around the sides. Inside the drum is a strip of images or drawings, each one slightly different from the next.
- 2. How It Works: When the drum is spun and the viewer looks through the slits, the images inside appear to blend together, creating a moving picture. This effect is due to the phenomenon called “persistence of vision,” where the brain perceives a rapid sequence of images as continuous motion.
- 3. Usage: Popular with both children and adults, the zoetrope was often used to depict simple scenes like a galloping horse or a dancer, captivating viewers with its magical, flickering animations.
11. Dolls
Dolls were among the most cherished toys of the Victorian era, particularly for girls. They were often seen as a tool for teaching young girls about domestic roles, motherhood, and etiquette.
Victorian-style dolls, especially porcelain dolls, are still widely available. These dolls often come dressed in Victorian-era clothing, featuring lace, bonnets, and frills. Some modern collectible dolls even use traditional crafting techniques to replicate the look and feel of 19th-century dolls.
- 1. Materials: Early Victorian dolls were often made from wood, cloth, or leather. The heads of many of these dolls were porcelain, giving them a delicate and elegant appearance. By the late 19th century, bisque dolls (unglazed porcelain) became immensely popular, especially those with glass eyes and real hair.
- 2. Clothing: Dolls were typically dressed in detailed miniature versions of contemporary clothing. These outfits mirrored the latest fashion trends, complete with tiny accessories such as hats, shoes, and even jewellery.
- 3. Role in Education: For many Victorian girls, dolls were not just toys but a way to develop maternal skills and hone practical skills like sewing and mending clothes.
12. Rocking Horses
Today, traditional wooden rocking horses are often expensive and made by artisan craftsmen. However, parents who just want their child to experience the joy and magic of riding a rocking horse can still buy cheaper factory produced horses at a fraction of the price of a handcrafted wooden one.
A symbol of both fun and status, the rocking horse became a quintessential Victorian toy, widely popular with both boys and girls. Often, rocking horses became treasured family heirlooms to be passed down through generations.
- 1. Design: Typically made of wood, rocking horses were hand-carved and painted, often with leather saddles, real horsehair for the mane and tail, and realistic eyes. The larger and more elaborately designed the rocking horse, the more prestigious it was considered.
- 2. Developmental Role: Rocking horses were believed to help children develop balance and coordination. They also allowed children to imagine they were riding real horses, a pastime associated with wealth and status in Victorian society.
- 3. Evolution: The late Victorian era saw the advent of safer designs with fixed platforms rather than curved rockers, reducing the risk of the horse tipping over during play.
13. Tea Sets
Toy tea sets were a popular choice for young girls, reflecting the Victorian emphasis on domesticity and proper social etiquette. These miniature tea sets allowed children to mimic the adults in their lives, hosting their own tea parties for dolls, siblings, or friends.
Tea sets helped girls understand the importance of social interaction, decorum, and hosting, which were all key aspects of Victorian womanhood. Tea sets remain popular to the present day, though these are mostly mass produced plastic tea sets rather than the expensive porcelain that most Victorian tea sets would be made from.
- 1. Materials: Early tea sets were typically made from wood, tin, or porcelain. The most elaborate sets were crafted from fine china and were often passed down as family heirlooms.
- 2. Role-Playing: Tea sets encouraged imaginative play, where children could act out the rituals of social interaction, practising manners, and developing a sense of hospitality. For girls, these toys reinforced the Victorian ideals of femininity and domestic responsibilities.
- 3. Cultural Reflection: The tea party was a significant cultural ritual in Victorian society, symbolising social status and refinement. By giving children toy tea sets, parents were preparing them for their roles in adult society.
14. Doll Houses
Doll houses were a beloved toy during the Victorian era, captivating children and serving as miniature representations of domestic life. Doll houses became increasingly popular in the late 19th century, with many being passed down through the generations as heirlooms.
Today, dollhouses continue to be cherished by collectors and children alike, often produced in both traditional and modern designs, and they remain a symbol of imaginative play and craftsmanship.
- 1. Design: Victorian dollhouses were often elaborate, multi-story structures with detailed architectural features such as porches, balconies, and intricate facades. Many were made from wood and painted in bright colours, while some were even crafted to resemble real Victorian homes.
- 3. Furnishings: These dollhouses typically came with an array of miniature furniture and accessories, including tables, chairs, beds, and kitchen items. The furnishings were often made from wood, fabric, or metal, reflecting the styles of the time. Some houses even had tiny dolls or figurines representing family members.
- 3. Imaginative Play: Dollhouses encouraged imaginative role-playing, allowing children to create stories and scenarios based on domestic life. This type of play was considered not only entertaining but also educational, as it helped children learn about social roles, responsibilities, and household management.
Conclusion
Victorian toys were more than just playthings. They were reflections of the time’s societal values, educational goals, and cultural fascinations. Whether it was through dolls that taught domestic skills, Noah’s Ark sets that reinforced religious teachings or kaleidoscopes that sparked creativity, Victorian toys shaped childhood in meaningful ways, proding provided both entertainment and education.