PR-2237IRE Ancient Rome

Roman Life – Entertainment
Children’s Games
Children played a variety of games but artwork and mosaics often show them playing with pets,
especially dogs and birds.
Apart from in Pompeii and Rome, children’s toys have been found in various parts of the Empire
and some, like rag dolls, have been well preserved in the dry soils of hot regions like Egypt. Shopkeepers
today would not be able to sell some of the toys found in excavations as they were made from lead, a poisonous
metal. Small, unearthed models of chariots tell us that Roman children were as interested as their parents in
chariot races.
Hoops were made of slender branches that would bend without breaking and had ties to hold their shapes. Other
hoops were made of iron or bronze.
Archaeologists have found the ancient remains of see-saws, rocking horses and dolls’ houses in excavations in
Rome. These toys were usually only provided for children of wealthy families, but it appears that Roman children,
rich and poor, played games like hide and seek, blindman’s buff and leapfrog, for they are portrayed in Roman
art. These games, of course, required no expensive equipment.
Riding a small carriage drawn by a dog, sheep or goat was a favourite children’s pastime. Much smaller versions
drawn by model horses, birds or other wild or domestic animals were popular toys.
Children played draughts or built things with building bricks rather than the wooden or plastic blocks used by
children today.
One of the biggest festivals of the year was the Saturnalia in late December, believed to be the origin of our
Christmas celebrations. During this time schools, were closed and children were even allowed to play gambling
games.
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