Ancient Egyptian Games and Toys

Ancient Egyptians enjoyed a wide range of games and toys, including board games, dolls, and toy animals. Here are a few examples: 1. Senet: This is one of the oldest board games in the world and  played by many ancient Egyptian pharaohs. The game played with a board, dice, and pieces. The objective is to move your pieces across the board and into the afterlife. 2. Mehen: This is another board game that was popular in ancient Egypt. The game played on a circular board, and players move their pieces around a spiral path.

The objective is to reach the center of the board and become the king of the game. 3. Dolls: Ancient Egyptian children played with dolls made from materials such as clay, mud, wood, and even human hair. These dolls were often placed in tombs to accompany the deceased on their journey into the afterlife. 4. Toy animals: Ancient Egyptian children also played with toy animals made from materials such as wood, leather, and ivory.

These toys were often placed in tombs as well. As they were famous to provide the deceased with companionship in the afterlife. 5. Balls: Just like children today, ancient Egyptian children enjoyed playing with balls. These balls were  from materials such as papyrus, leather, and even animal bladders. Some balls were for sports. While others were for simple throwing and catching games.

A few more examples of Ancient Egyptian games and toys that were popular during that era

1. Hounds and Jackals: This board game is famous to have originated during the Middle Kingdom period (2040-1782 BCE). It  played on a board that has a series of holes arranged in a spiral pattern, with players rolling sticks and moving their game pieces along the track. 2. Speckled Hen: This is a game that was likely played by both adults and children, and was once considered to be one of the more intellectual pastimes of ancient Egypt.

In fact, it involves using small stones to move pieces around on a board, with the goal of capturing the opponent’s pieces and claiming their territory. 3. Toy chariots: These miniature chariots were often crafted from wood or clay and decorated with paint and other embellishments. Young children would play with them as toys, while some wealthy individuals may have included them in larger model dioramas.