Dipping candles was something that all of them seemed to enjoy. I didn't have the authentic ingredients of tallow, beeswax or bayberry but they still got the idea of how it was done pretty well. (I used old yucky candles and crayons that I had melted down for the wax. ) The kids each got to dip one set of candles. While we were dipping we talked about other jobs that they would have had to do in that time. Some of the different jobs were: Blacksmith (he also served as the dentist), Whitesmith (tin repair), Town Watchman, Town Crier, Church Watchman, Silversmith, Cooper, Cabinet maker, Schoolmaster, Tanner, Post Rider, Cobbler, Hatter and Carpenter.
We also talked about some of their play. They might have had kites, yo-yos, hoops, marbles or poppets (dolls) to play with. They also played things like leap frog races. We tried that out and guessed that may have been just a boys activity as it is rather difficult in skirts.
They also played Jack straws which is like pick-up-sticks except you use straight straws or twigs or something like that. Mara found some stems from ferns which worked quite well.
We had a very fun morning and hopefully the kids will remember what it was like to work and play in Colonial times!
