Quicklinks
National Organization - SCA
Kingdom of the Middle (Midrealm)
Region of Pentamere
Barony of Northwoods
Canton of Weldlake
SCA demo
Medieval Games
Here are a few suggestions of games to start with that do not use paper or parchment. Remember, paper or parchment was expensive in Medieval times so would not have been given to kids. If you know of any additional period games you would like to share, please email me so I can add them to these.
Hide and Seek
Hide and Seek were played the same as today. Using whatever hiding places are available and the restrictions or limits agreed on by the players, play this ancient child's game.
Tag
Tag is another game played the same. Tapestry's, murals, and other drawings and pictures show kids chasing each other in what appears to be tag. Set up the game your favorite way, or ask the kids for their favorite version.
Queek
This game is played by using a large, checkered cloth and spread on a hard, smooth surface, or on a chessboard, then the children would toss pebbles on the board, calling out in advance whether the pebble would land on a light color or dark color board. Can also be used as a cloth on the ground so parents do not get upset about the chessboard.
Bowls
Pictures show both adults and children playing this game. The bowls playing field is a bowling green, a smooth lawn where competitors roll balls for points. The rules are to roll grapefruit-size balls toward a target ball that is slightly smaller than a tennis ball. Points are gained for how close players can place their balls to the target ball without actually striking the target ball. Players are also able to use their ball to knock out an opponent’s ball if it is close to the target ball.
Tug of War
This was a traditional game played in medieval times by adults, kids and mixed teams of both. All you need to play this game is two teams and a length of stout rope (and an admiring audience helps!) Competitors should wear gloves while they play this game.
Traditionally the game was played with a hazard such as a wall, a hedge, a mud puddle, or s stream. On the signal each team starts to try and pull the other team off balance and across or into the hazard. The winner is the team who either pulls the other team into the hazard or if the other team gives up due to exhaustion.
Marbles
Marbles are played the same as today, with some additional games. One version has a series of arches for you to get the marbles through. The medieval marbles were clay, but modern marbles can be substituted. Draw your circle and have fun!
Ring Toss
Using rope rings tossed at stakes, ring toss was played by the Ladies as well as the children. Set two stakes at 10 paces, them toss rope rings at the two stakes. Can be played by two players or teams of 2 players. Single players must walk from stake to stake, teams have one player at each stake Number of rings tossed per round is determined by the number of rings and teams. It is recommended you indicate by 'favors' or colored scraps of material the players or teams rings.
Each ring that catches a stake gets three points. Any leaning against the stake or touching it gets two points. Otherwise, the closest ring gets 1 point for that person or team. Rounds are as many as agreed on prior to beginning the game.
