Imagine a house filled with children playing games, but with no electronic background music or control pads in their hands. Yes, kids and parents did have fun before video games.
Last weekend at Kline Creek Farm in Winfield, families viewed many of the games played a hundred years ago during “The Games and Songs We Played,” a program held at the 1890s living history farm.
Several hundred visitors toured the farmhouse operated by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, the Weinstein family of Hanover Park among them.
“This is a great place to come with the children,” said Emery Weinstein, father of Liz, 10, and Shai, 7. “It’s perfect for their ages because there’s lots to see and do.”
“It was a quiet life,” said Betty Jeppsen of Northwoods, a volunteer who described the games and musical instruments from those pre-electricity days.
“All the power they had on the farm was horse power and elbow grease,” she said.
Games common to 1890s households included checkers, dominoes, pinball — minus the lights — and a variety of educational and string games.
Music in the pre-CD era was self-made.
“You had to sing if you wanted music,” Jeppsen said, “or wait until the Thursday night band concert in town.”
Youthful visitors were divided in their opinions on which they prefer: modern high-tech games or the simple board games of yesterday.
“I like the older games,” said Justin Williams, 10, of Plainfield. “They last longer than video games.”
Younger sisters Brittany and Morgan, 8, disagreed.
“The newer games are more creative,” said Morgan, her twin nodding in agreement.
