Figure 1.-- America declared war on Germany and entered World War I in 1917. Here we see American boys in 1918 during World War I playing war. We are guessing that they did not have toy guns. The boys have armed themselves with dirt clods. They have dug a trench like the World War I Western Front. They are preparing to repulse an eneny attack. Notice how almost alll of the boys have caps.

War games were very popular after World War II. This was probably the case eight after World War I as well. The American public, however, quickly soured on the War. Soon after the War ended, it began to be seen as a huge mistake. There was no talk about the 'dearest generation'. That would have been seen as the Civil War generation. And the movies soon began focusing on cowboys and gangsters. They soon dominated the movies and the imaginations of children. World War II was very different. Victory was seen as a great national achievement, although the PC crowd is now actively trying to change that narrative. There was no doubt in my mind about who was right. I had all sorts of war gear, including a helmet, belt webbing, a canteen, and back pack as well as toy guns. I remembered being well armed. My trusty six-shooters were my favorite, but I also had a toy Army '45 for playing war. Our parents indulged us. It was seen as harmless fun. There was not a wiff of the modern PC woke culture at the time. It was just another form of cowboys and Indians. And as far as I can tell playing war into the 1960s continued to be popular. Of course toy guns were an important part of playing war. I think that in the Vietnam era that anti-war moms began to put the kabash on war games and toy guns. Playing war was also discouraged by more intrusive parenting. I recall during the summer being turned loose after breakfast, showing up for lunch, and then disappearing until dinner. Our parents took a minimal interest in our play activities as long as we didn't get into any trouble. In fact I think my mom liked getting me out of the house and out of her way. While boys do not play war like they used to, we note that paint ball has become popular with older boys and teens. I know that I woul have loved that as a kid. A related game at camp was capture the flag.

Chronology

We ae not sure about plaing war in the 19th century. here were some iprtant wars: the 1812 War, the Mexican War,the Civil War, the Indin Wars, and the Spanish-American War. We do not know to wht extent boyslayed war during or after those wars. Agsctor here was demographics. Boys in rural areas were less likely toplay war as you need a groupof boys, not ncesasarily a large group, but at least a smllgroup. Amnnd the irbn population was very small in he early-19th century. A mahrity of Amrricandsdid not lkive in ujrban ares until the20h century. War games were very popular after World War II. This was probably the case eight after World War I as well. The American public, however, quickly soured on the War. Soon after the Wold War I ended, it began to be seen as a huge mistake. There was no talk about the 'dearest generation'. That would have been seen as the Civil War generation. And the movies soon began focusing on cowboys and gangsters. They soon dominated the movies and the imaginations of children. World War II was very different. Victory was seen as a great national achievement, although the woke PC crowd is now actively trying to change that narrative. There was no doubt in my mind about who was right. While healthy outdoor play has declineds, war games have been largely morphed into computer games which have become much morerealisti but involved no exercse ns outdoor activity.

War Gear

I am not sure how well armed American boys were in the 19th and early-20 century. Of couse the Depression impacted toys kidshad to play with (1930s). And during World War II, metal for toys became unavailable (1941-45). After the War this changed dramatically and all kinds of toy guns became widely available. My brother and I had all sorts of war gear in the late-1940s and early-50s. I inherited all hiswar gear as he got older. My gear included a helmet, belt webbing, a canteen, and back pack as well as toy guns. I remembered being well armed. My trusty six-shooters were my favorite, but I also had a toy Army '45 for playing war. Our parents indulged us. It was seen as harmless fun. There was not a wiff of the modern PC woke culture at the time. It was just another form of cowboys and Indians. And as far as I can tell playing war into the 1960s continued to be popular. Of course toy guns were an important part of playing war. I think that in the Vietnam era that anti-war moms began to put the kabash on war games and toy guns.

Parenting

Playing war was also discouraged by more intrusive parenting. I recall during the summer being turned loose after breakfast, showing up for lunch, and then disappearing until dinner. Our parents took a minimal interest in our play activities as long as we didn't get into their hair or any trouble. In fact I think my mom liked getting me out of the house and out of her way.

Paint Ball

While boys do not play war like they used to, we note that paint ball has become popular with older boys and teens. I know that I woul have loved that as a kid.

Summer Camp

A related game at summer camp was capture the flag, basically awar came. It was also called a wide game.

Created: 4:47 AM 6/18/2020
Last updated: 2:07 PM 2/18/2025