I have been leading colonial games this summer at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.  The previous two seasons we worked at Cumberland Gap, I would do textiles three days a week.  I like doing textiles, but three days in a row up in the textile room would get a little boring.  The park staff here are terrific about encouraging the volunteers to do whatever they can be enthusiastic about.  I already knew lots of games from other parks where we worked and Cumberland Gap already had most of what I would need.

I put together a games bag that can be grabbed by anyone at the park.  I put in marbles, checkers, and jacks.  Wake Up Giants (also called Shut the Box) went in the bag along with a bowling game.  There are wooden tops to spin and half a dozen ball in cup games.  The park bought buttons and string for the whirligig or button buzzer game last year.  There were still plenty for this season.

The last game to go into the bag was Graces.  I had to procur the parts for this game because the park didn’t have any.  I ordered the hoops from Amazon and Tom made the sticks from dowels.  The park had the ribbons that I needed to finish them off.

Over the course of the summer, I taught April, Rosie, and Annie how to lead colonial games.  April led them regularly during the six weeks she was here, along with her assistant Wyatt.  Wyatt played jacks and marbles most of the time.  Rosie used the games bag when she went to Davey Crockett Day in Morristown.  Annie invited people to play games during Folk Fest.  The games bag is a great option for people who want to help out with living history but don’t have the knowledge for textiles or blacksmithing.  The games are easy to learn and fun to play for the leader and the guests.

I have really enjoyed leading the games on Sunday afternoons.  The two favorite games are whirligig and Graces.  I can get kids or adults to play either of the games with me.  Graces is especially fun when we are outside in the yard.  Tossing the hoops is easy to learn but difficult to master.  Catching the hoop makes people laugh as they try to snare the slow-moving hoop in the air.  I often have six to eight adults all enjoying themselves and laughing as they try to toss and catch the hoops.

I refer to whirligigs as the original fidget spinners.  A lot of the adults, especially the ones over 50, played with the string and button like this when they were children.  It is harder for children to get the hang of it.  I like having the buttons out because I can let people keep them.  I had one sullen, teenage girl who refused to have anything to do with any of the games her family was enjoying.  Until I got out the whirligigs.  She scooped one up, caught on immediately, and was still laughing and playing with it 45 minutes later in the Visitors Center.

I’ve really enjoyed taking a break from textiles on Sundays and playing colonial games.  I like standing outside the Visitors Center and asking people if they want to play with me.  They usually say yes!