The colonists, who settled in the New World beginning in the early 1600s, had hard lives. The lives of colonial children were also difficult. They had to follow strict rules and do a lot of work around the home. Even babies had a job to do!

What was life like in the 1700s America?

At first, life was hard and rough in the North American colonies. However, by the early 18th century people in the American colonies lived in houses as comfortable as those in Europe. Wealthy people had finely carved furniture, wallpaper, china, silver, and crystal and chairs were common.

What was home life like in Colonial times?

Colonial families often had several children and sometimes had aunts, uncles and grandparents living together. Colonist’s time was mainly spent doing work. The females both young and old did household chores, including cooking, cleaning, milking cows and mending clothes.

What was daily life like for the colonists?

Much of colonial life was hard work, even preparing food. But colonists found ways to mix work with play. They also enjoyed sports and games. For most of the 1700s, the colonists were content to be ruled by English laws.

What did colonial teens do for fun?

They learned to farm, hunt, cook, and sew from their families. Even though colonial kids worked hard, they still found time for outdoor fun, like swimming, fishing, and flying kites.

What did colonists do on Sundays?

Sunday was a strict observance of the Sabbath. For many settlers, it was a laborious task to attend church services. The colonists would travel on foot or horse for miles, sometimes on a path only eight feet wide which was not designed for a wagon.

What did they eat in colonial times?

During the 1700s, meals typically included pork, beef, lamb, fish, shellfish, chicken, corn, beans and vegetables, fruits, and numerous baked goods. Corn, pork, and beef were staples in most lower and middle class households.

What did colonists bring to America?

They brought supplies. In the holds of their ships, the early settlers brought axes, shovels, hammers, nails, other tools, pigs, cows, sheep, goats, seed from English plants, and as many personal belongings as they could afford. They were reasonably well equipped to start a new life in the wilderness.

Did colonial kids have homework?

Kids in the New England and Middle Colonies especially spent a great deal of time in church or in prayer. Kids went to school. They often had homework, sometimes lots of it. Yet, they still found time to play.

What did kids play in Colonial times?

When the children weren’t making up games to play, they played many games that are still played today. Colonial children jumped rope, played tennis, swinging, scotch-hopper (modern day hopscotch), and played on a see-saw. The children even played leap frog, tag, hide-and-seek, sack and relay races.

What did colonists eat?

Bread was always the settlers’ main food stuff. Breakfast might consist of bread with butter or cheese. In the middle of the day, as part of their main meal, settlers might enjoy smoked or salted meat, or perhaps a bowl of stew, with their bread. The evening meal was likely porridge—with bread, of course.

What was a typical day like in colonial America?

On a typical day in American Colonial life, the man of the house worked outside while his wife performed household duties. Children either did chores or received an education. Daily life varied based on the area, the time of the year and the family.

What was the daily life like on a colonial farm?

Interesting Facts about Daily Life on the Farm in Colonial Times The typical farming family lived in a one or two room house with dirt floors. Horses were an important means of transportation. The only day of the week that the colonial farmer did not work was Sunday. Farmers usually had large families of at least six or seven children.

What was life like in the 1700s in America?

By the 1700s, small cities and towns were established. The colonists slowly developed their own customs and lifestyles. Eventually they began to feel that this new land was now their true home. Life in colonial America centered on the family. Most of the following took place at home in the very earliest years of the settlements: work play schooling

Where did the average colonist live in the colonies?

The average colonist most likely centered their life around the city of Boston, as the port was the largest in the area and contained the largest number of merchant vessels throughout the colonies. As a result, these colonists had trades useful to the import and export of goods in addition to other local trades.