Ancient history

What can you learn about ancient Egyptian toys and games?

Toys and games were vital for children and adult leisure in ancient Egypt. From dolls and model boats to senet and mehen, these artefacts provide significant insights into their daily social interactions. While some games mirrored adult life activities, others involved sheer joy.

Dolls were made from wood, cloth, clay, or ivory. There were fashion dolls with movable accessories and jointed parts that allowed movement for boys and girls with wigs, make-up, and clothes in miniature.

Model boats served a dual purpose - leisure and funerary offerings since the Egyptians cherished sea travel. Models ranged from reed water vessels to warships equipped with crews and rigging.

Other items for child's play included miniature versions of household goods or real-life scenes, from farms to marketplaces. A notable game was mehen resembling snakes and ladders to promote luck. Board games like senet featured moving pieces across squares following prescribed rules and were associated with the afterlife's spiritual journey. Ball games involved throwing, catching, and juggling.

Overall, games reflected Egyptians' skills across social strata, highlighting cultural and societal aspects that enriched their civilization despite being more than four thousand years in the past.