Victorian children played Nine Men’s Morris using drawn boards on tables, floors, or even streets. The game involved strategic placement, blocking, and capturing of pieces. Outdoor versions used stones, chalk, or bottle tops. It taught children foresight, problem-solving, and patience. Players often modified rules to suit local preferences or space. Variations encouraged negotiation, alliances, and strategic deception. Teachers sometimes recommended such games for quiet indoor amusement during rainy days. Nine Men’s Morris demonstrated Victorian interest in structured mental recreation.
The game developed strategic thinking, planning, and problem-solving.
It shows how traditional games were adapted by children for social and cognitive development.
Did you know some Victorian children played Nine Men’s Morris on the classroom floor using chalk-drawn boards?
[British Library, britishlibrary.uk]