Game of Graces

In the Game of Graces, opponents send light wooden hoops whirling towards each other to be caught on the tips of slender wands. Judging by children's books and store advertisements, this exciting outdoor game was enormously popular from the early 1800's throughout the 19th century, and it remains so in various forms today.

We bend our hoops here at our Vermont shop in the traditional way, steaming green lumber from local trees to form bent wood parts for our musical instruments as well as our toys and games. Our Game of Graces includes 2 10" diameter solid bent wood hoops; our 4 wands are 18" long solid birch. Also included are 8 lengths of colored ribbons - in early forms of the game, young women would elegantly play by wrapping the hoops in ribbons with trailing ends, which served to slow the hoops' travel as well as cushion contact with the fingers. All is packaged in a zipper poly bag with a history and instruction poster.

MUSEUM STORE CLIENTS: Click here for the listing at our HistoryLives to-the-trade web store. There is also a link there to apply for a whilesale account if you don't already have one with us.

Not for children under 3. Recommended for adults and children aged 8 years and above.