Toys and Games of the 1930s

With the Great Depression commencing on October 29, 1929, the 1930s were plagued with economic hardship. The United States, once a land of opportunity had become a land of misfortune. In order to stay entertained children were forced to be creative in the way they spent their time without spending money. Some would spend quality time with their family and hear their elders reminisce about their own youth. Others would engage in checkers, charades, play with dolls and trains, or marbles and jacks. While outside, jumping rope, playing tag, hopscotch, and sledding in the winter would dominate their time.

With money on the mind, one of the best selling board games of all time was invented in the 1930s: Monopoly! Having a goal of greediness, players can go from rags to riches by investing in properties then renting their space in order drive others into bankruptcy. Towards the path of domination you can wind up in jail, control the railroads or even win a beauty contest! Fun for many ages, this game can take less than an hour or multiple days, depending on how committed you are to monopolizing others.

If you still remember when you draw a “4” card you must move your pawn back four spaces or a “7” means you can split your move between two pawns, Sorry! must have been a integral part of your childhood. Adopted by Parker Brothers in 1934, Sorry! is a game of strategy that is still played by children today.

A game which is also played today, but became exceedingly popular during the ‘30s is miniature golf. Golf, originally standing for Gentlemen Only Ladies Forbidden, meant ladies had to find a new way to compete on the greens. The first miniputt was developed in the holy land of golf in St. Andrews, Scotland in 1867. A course, 1/10 the scale, women were able to swing a club while still being the time period’s version of ladylike. Although, miniputt did not become popular until a suitable artificial green was invented, which occurred during the 1920s, skyrocketing the creation of miniputt courses in the ’30s!

A multi-purpose invention, the View Master 3-D Viewer became a memorable toy of the ‘30s as well as an aid to soldiers training for World War II. Views have included sceneries such as Mecca and the Grand Canyon and popular movies such as E.T. and Jurassic Park. Movies also had their influence in dolls, such as Madame Alexander’s Scarlett O’Hara doll. The first ever movie character made into a doll was based on the southern belle character from the classic film, Gone with the Wind.

With the conclusion of the 1930s the Second World War began, lifting the United States out of an economic depression. Games such as Scrabble and Parchesi, and toys like the Red Ryder BB Gun, which were invented in the ‘30s, then were able to flourish as people grew more financially sturdy, creating more quality family memories.