As Christmas approaches, I always remember the anticipation I felt waiting for the Sears Christmas Catalog to arrive. It promised a world of colorful, brand-new toys—and hours spent flipping its pages fed my childhood imagination. That memory made me wonder: what toys did children in 1880s Texas look forward to each year, long before glossy catalogs and department store windows?
Childhood in 1880s Texas: More Chores Than Play
Our modern idea of childhood as a time reserved for school, play, and daydreams didn’t truly emerge until after World War II. For families on the Texas frontier, children were expected to pitch in with work as soon as they could walk—gathering eggs, carrying water, helping in the fields, and tending younger siblings. Playtime happened after chores and, for many, toys were handmade or passed down, not bought from a store.
Toys of the Frontier: Creativity Over Consumerism
In the 1880s, most children’s toys reflected the world around them, their families’ skills, and what was possible with limited means.
Cornhusk Dolls: Girls often made dolls from twisted cornhusks, scraps of cloth, and bits of yarn. These simple toys were cherished and sometimes dressed up for holidays or special occasions.
Whittled Wooden Toys: Boys and fathers used pocketknives to whittle toy animals, spinning tops, or toy guns from leftover wood scraps. Creativity and resourcefulness were prized.
Rag Balls and Homemade Games: Fabric scraps became balls for tossing, and children played games like tag, marbles, or hopscotch drawn in dirt near the house.
Hoops and Sticks: Children raced with metal or wooden hoops and sticks, seeing who could keep their hoop rolling the longest.
Paper Dolls & Scrapbooks: When paper or catalogs were available, kids made paper dolls, decorated scrapbooks, or folded origami animals.
Musical Instruments: Simple flutes, harmonicas, or a homemade washboard let children entertain themselves—and sometimes their exhausted parents!
Store-Bought Treasures
Store-bought toys were rare, precious things—brought home after a long trip to town or given as special gifts for Christmas or birthdays. Families might splurge on a china doll, a kite, a harmonica, or a set of jacks. These items were treasured and taken care of for years.
The Spirit of Play
Even in homes with few resources, Texas frontier kids found ways to play—outside, using what was at hand. Their games and toys weren’t just for entertainment; they taught resourcefulness, cooperation, and creativity. I like to think of those cornhusk dolls or whittled animals as more than toys—they were the seeds of stories and traditions passed down through generations.
As you enjoy the flurry of holiday shopping and the abundance of choices in catalogs and online stores, remember the simple joy of play with what you have. Sometimes, the best toys are the ones you create together.
Happy holidays to you and your family!
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