Entertainment

Hunting

Board Games

Sports

Storytelling

Festivals

What Did Kids Do?

The Egyptians huntedfor food, but they also hunted for entertainment. Sometimes, dangeroous animals were brought in to an enclosed area, and

rich or important people hunted them for sport. Many people would also come to spectate these events. Hunters used many weapons, the selection including spears, arrows, and throwing sticks.

The Egyptians also played board games for fun. Two of the most popluar games were Mehen and Senet. Senet is thought to be over 5,000 years old. Senet was so popular, that many pharaohs were buried with Senet boards so they would have something to entertain them in the afterlife. Allthe rules are unclear, but Mehen was thought to be played on a round board with pieces shaped like coiled snakes.

The Egyptians also played physical activities and sports. Many of the games were meant to prepare young men for battle. Wrestling was enjoyed by many people, including the rich and the poor. Chariot racing honed the skills of warriors and archers. Chariot racing also atracted spectators.

Most Egyptians did not know how to read or write. They did not have any theater either until the Greeks conquered them. This meant most Egyptians did not get to hear or experience stories much. "Storytellers could keep an audience captivated for hours with popular tales about Egyptian gods, love, war heroes, and adventures." Says Ducksters Ancient Egyptian History. Stories were passed down to generation after generation.

Egyptians celebrated many festivals throughout the year. Mostwere to honor various gods. The festivals involved sacrifices, and celebrations. Also, there would be many parades marching statues of gods through the streets.

In Ancient Egypt, kids were considered adults at a very young age. As kids however, they played many board games, and had fun swimming in the Nile River. Rattles, toy Lions, balls, and spinning tops have been found that kids probably played with as well.

Egyptian spinning tops.

Queen Nefertiti playing Senet.

Egyptian stick fighting and wrestling.

Art on payprus showing an Egyptian using a bow and arrow to hunt an animal.

The few Egyptians that could fluenty read and write pieces like this, often entertained audiences for hours telling stories.

This art shows a parade during the Festival of The Valley.