G is for games
In 1693, English philosopher John Locke wrote about the value of educational games in teaching children. Eager publishers obliged, and parents soon had a wealth of amusing games at their disposal to help teach everything from grammar to geography.
The Osborne Collection includes a wide variety of educational games from the 18th century to the present, proving that though fashions in children’s games may change, learning through play is here to stay!
Grandmother’s alphabet
1818
Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books
Published in London by E. Wallis, a specialist in educational games, these disk-shaped alphabet cards were carefully coloured by hand.
ABC and picture toy blocks
1890–1910
Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books
These bright animal blocks are intended for very young children, providing practice in motor skills while teaching the alphabet.
Sherlock Holmes Card Game
Parker Bros. 1904
Pack of cards with rules of play in box
Arthur Conan Doyle Collection
Collect Burglar, Robbers, and Thief cards, or turn up a Sherlock Holmes card and make a sweep. The game is afoot!
Explore more!
There are many more games to be found in our Special Collections. You might be interested to learn that the Merril Collection includes role-playing games based on science fiction or fantasy themes or novels.
Video
In this video, Lorna Toolis discusses the significance of role-playing games in the Merril Collection.