Figure 1.--Here we see Mexican school girls in 1921 playing circle/ring games. This one is 'Nina nacio en francia', meaning Girl born in France. We are not sure about the rules, but notice the little girl with ringlets and hair bow in the middle, presumably one of the older girls' baby sister. She will be eventualy be lifted up.

We notice children playing a variety of different circle or ring games. These games date back to the medieval era and were probably played earlier. They were normally played outdoors, but might be played indoors on special occassions or with younger children. They were probably most comn in vvillage communities, v\but also palayed in cities when people moved into cities with industrialization. although a little space was needed. Of course some residential streets were safe for play, especially before the appearance of cars in the early-20th century. But in Europe, cars were much less common than in America. Thus only a very small group could play on the sidewalk. Thus they they became more common at schools or children parties. We see these games in both Europe and the Americas, but suspect they are played to some extent around the world. Circle games are played while standing or sometimes sitting in a circle. These games do not need a lot of preparation or much in the way of materials. As a result any group of children anywhere can play them And they are useful for teachers, camp directors, and any adult working with groups of children. The games acm be played by both small and larger grtoups. Some can be played with only four children, but most require at least six or so children. They mostly appeal to girls because the goal is to have fun rather than compete. There are many differet circle games with a range of different tweeks. Most consist of passing some object to another player. Others include a process of elimination, especially circle tag games. Perhaps the most fanous is "ring around the rosy". Can't say I have ever played it. Perhaps our readers will know more. A good example is an American group playing the game in the parlor during Christmas at the turn-of-the-20th-century. We do not know much about them at this time. A good example is the children playing a ring game at a North Dakota school in 1913. We are not sure what the game was. It looks like a game I do rember playing in which one child is "it" and chases another child inside and outside the circle. I forget the name now. Often the same basic game had various names in different countries.

Chronology

We notice children playing a variety of different circle or ring games. These games date back to the medieval era and were probably played earlier. A lot of our images come from the early-20 thcentury with the invention of the Kodak Brownie and the snap shot. We do not see as many examples after World War II. Although they are still often played in pre-schools and perhaps with early primary grades.

Play Areas

They were normally played outdoors, but might be played indoors on special occassions or with younger children. They were once played primarily in villages where there was lots of room. As more people began moving to the cities with industrialization, the children brought their cames with them. A little space was needed for ring games. Thus only a very small group could play on the narrow sidewalks in many cities. Citiy residents were built right up to the sidewalk meaning there was a very narrow play area. Of course some residential streets were safe for play, especially before the appearance of cars in the early-20th century. But in Europe, cars were much less common than in America. And as cars becmame common the games became more common at schools or children parties, especially whn there are outdoor areas avaialble. . Any group of children anywhere can play ring games as long as space is available. And they are useful for teachers, camp directors, and any adult working with groups of children.

Countries

We see these games in both Europe and the Americas, but suspect they are played to some extent around the world. So far the examples we have found are from Europe and the Americas. This is especially true for America, Germamy, and Britain. These of course are the countries for which there is the largest photographic record so our archive is affected by the greater availability of images.

Arrangement

Circle games are played while standing or sometimes sitting in a circle. These games do not need a lot of preparation or much in the way of materials. The games can be played by both small and larger groups. Some can be played with only four children, but most require at least six or so children.

Gender and Age

They mostly appeal to girls because the goal is to have fun rather than compete. The appeal is mostly with younger girls up to the early-teens. Yomger boys also enjoy them, mostly pre school boys and the first primary years. This varied a bit at small one room schools. Often there were not enough boys to play sports and the teachers would enpurage the boys to play games with the girls at recess. Other wise there would be no organized play at all.

Individual Games

Here are many differet circle games with a range of different tweeks. Most consist of passing some object to another player. Others include a process of elimination, especially circle tag games. Perhaps the most fanous is 'ring around the rosy'. Can't say I have ever played it. Perhaps our readers will know more. A good example is an American group playing the game in the parlor during Christmas at the turn-of-the-20th-century. We do not know much about them at this time. A good example is the children playing a ring game at a North Dakota school in 1913. We are not sure what the game was. It looks like a game I do rember playing in which one child is 'it' and chases another child inside and outside the circle. I forget the name now. The Mexican girls here are plying 'Niña nacio en Francia' (figure 1). Often the same basic game had various names in different countries.

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Created: 10:28 AM 6/25/2019
Last updated: 10:28 AM 6/25/2019