Toys, Games,
Pets
in Ancient Rome
Children had pets and played with toys.
There are mosaics and paintings that show children of Rome playing various games. There are even some writings that describe children at play. The writings of Horace talks about children riding hobbyhorses, building play houses and even making little carts and hitching mice up to them to pull them around.
Roman children played with balls and kites and made hoops with pieces of metal on them so that when they rolled they chimed like bells. Mostly though, boys played war type games. They practiced with wooden swords and played conquer Troy. Children would also make small figures and play with them. Girls played with dolls. Poorer children made rag dolls while the richer children had dolls of clay or wax some even had joints to bend and pose.
Dogs were a favorite pet of Romans. Birds, including pigeons ducks and geese, were also pets. Late in the empire period, cats became common and might have been pets.
Explore Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome for Kids
Quick Comparison: Ancient Greeks vs. Ancient Romans
Geography, Natural Resources, Maps
Three Periods in Roman History
Daily Life
Gods, Goddesses, Myths, Religion
Expansion
Roman Letters Home, Inscriptions
Entertainment
Art and Architecture
Roman Architecture, the Great Builders
People
Roman Emperors - Augustus, Trajan, Diocletian, Constantine, Valens
Achievements and Inventions
How the planets got their names
Achievements, Contributions - Concrete, Aquaducts, and more
Interactive Games
Play Free Interactive Online Games about Ancient Rome
Interactive Quiz Questions with Answers about Ancient Rome by Topic
Ancient Rome Five Themes of Geography
Early Ancient Rome - The Founding and Kingdom
Ancient Rome - The Roman Republic
Ancient Rome - The Roman Empire
Ancient Roman Religion, Festivals, Holidays
Ancient Rome - Rights of Slaves, Children, and Women
Ancient Roman Art, Architecture, Inventions, Achievements
Ancient Rome for Teachers
Ancient Rome Lesson Plans & Units
Ancient Rome Activities and Projects
Ancient Rome Free Use PowerPoints
Investigate Real Life Artifacts in the Museum of the Ancients