Roots and Handmade Tales

Picture a time when children found entertainment with tin cans instead of screens.

Children swinging sticks at a tin can standing on a cobble stone pavement.

My grandmother, born in 1925, told of a few games she played when she was young. Being a young child during the Great Depression, when toys were scarce but joy flourished, it is no surprise that one of the games she mentioned playing was a game with sticks and tin cans.

She described the game in her autobiography: “Each player had a stick to hit the can. Teams worked together, some aiming to hit the can into the center hole and others trying to keep it out. Everyone stood in a circle.”

Though she added that she didn’t prefer to play because “someone was always missing the can and hitting your leg or hitting the can into you,” her story still inspired me to recreate the game with my kids. My grandmother called it a “wild, noisy game,” so I knew I should let my kids try. The result? Endless fun and laughter.

National Tin Can Day

Coincidentally, January 19th is National Tin Can Day. This makes it the perfect time to celebrate the resourcefulness and creativity of past generations who transformed simple tin cans into hours of entertainment. My family enjoys celebrating random national holidays, and this one ties beautifully with my grandmother’s story about the stick and tin can game from her childhood. Whether you’re honoring the ingenuity of the Great Depression or just looking for an excuse to play a timeless game, this day offers a wonderful reminder to appreciate the simple joys in life.

This article shares the game’s rules, fascinating history, and why it deserves a spot among your favorite simple family games.

The Story of the Game

During the Great Depression, families relied on creativity to turn everyday items into entertainment. Children transformed tin cans and sticks into thrilling games encouraging teamwork and strategy.

In this Great Depression game, teams worked to either score by hitting the can into the center hole or defend their side by keeping it out. The game’s simplicity allowed everyone to join, while the competitive aspect kept excitement high.

Inspired by my grandmother’s story, I introduced the game to my kids. Watching them strategize, cheer, and laugh together reminded me of the joy that comes from simple family games that prioritize connection over competition.

How to Play the Tin Can Game

Materials Needed:

A tin can (repurpose one from your recycling bin).
Sticks for each player (use sturdy branches or wooden dowels).
Optional: Chalk, string, or rope to outline the circle and center hole.

Setup:

Form Teams: Split the players into two groups—offense aims to hit the can into the center, and defense works to block it.

Prepare the Sticks: Debark with whittling knives. Be sure to teach your children safe knife-handling techniques and practices. Sand down rough edges and let the kids paint or decorate the sticks for a personal touch. My kids chose to whittle their sticks a bit to make them unique. (And let’s face it, they love to get their knives out for whittling.) If you aren’t up for giving much preparation to your sticks, you can use them as you find them.

Mark the Circle: Use chalk or string to draw a large circle with a smaller hole at the center.

Hands whittling a stick with a pocket knife.

Rules of the Game:

Players position themselves evenly around the circle, each holding a stick.
Offensive players hit the tin can toward the center hole.
Defensive players block the can and push it away from the hole.
Teams earn points when the can lands in the center or when defenders successfully protect it for a set time. The time can be set to accommodate the age and skill level of the players.

My family had a blast playing with sticks and tin cans—it was such a hit that the kids couldn’t wait to dive in again right after breakfast the next morning!

Why Play This Game Today?

This stick-and-can game offers more than just fun. Here’s why it deserves a place in your family’s repertoire of simple family games:

1. Build a Connection to the Past
Recreating this game connects your family to the resourcefulness of earlier generations. Sharing the story of my grandmother’s childhood prompted meaningful discussions with my kids about resilience and joy during challenging times.

2. Create Fun Without Screens
This game offers a refreshing alternative to screen-based activities. It gets kids outdoors, moving, and working as a team.

3. Teach Valuable Lessons
The game highlights the power of resourcefulness by turning ordinary objects into a source of joy. It teaches children that creativity, not expense, creates the best memories.

A Brief History of Great Depression Games

Children across cultures and time periods have invented games using simple materials. The Great Depression era popularized playing games with sticks and tin cans as a practical way to entertain large groups with minimal resources.

Stickball, a street version of baseball, captivated urban communities in the early 20th century.
In rural areas, kids used tin cans as targets or crafted them into makeshift toys.
Stick-based games date back to ancient Egypt, proving that the joy of simple family games is truly timeless.

This stick and tin can game(and other Great Depression Games) reflects a universal truth: the best games often emerge from the simplest ideas.

Make This Game a Family Tradition

You can easily turn this activity into a cherished tradition with a little planning:

Host a Retro Game Day: Dedicate a weekend afternoon to play this game and other vintage and Great Depression games and activities.
Organize a Neighborhood Tournament: Invite friends and neighbors to participate and enjoy friendly competition.
Combine Crafting and Playing: Let each family member design their stick before the game. Repeat this yearly and watch the collection grow.

Encourage your kids to document their experiences through photos or journals. These keepsakes will carry the tradition into future generations.

Engage With Us

Now it’s your turn to relive history and make new memories! With some sticks, tin cans, and your loved ones, you can enjoy this game for an afternoon of laughter and connection. Have you ever played a game passed down through generations? Share your story or post your photos with the hashtag #RootsAndHandmadeTales. Let’s keep these traditions alive!

Tracing family roots and stories is at the heart of understanding what family history truly means.

Open laptop on a table with two hands on the keyboard. The screen shows a family tree from a family history.

What is Family History?

Family history is the exploration and preservation of your ancestry, uncovering the stories, roots, and connections that define your family’s legacy. It’s about tracing family roots and the lives of those who came before you to understand your identity better and create a foundation for future generations.

We all have a story. In fact, we all come from a living library of family stories. Each story has characters with names, personalities, and unique journeys that intertwine to create a rich tapestry of experiences. These roots run deep, shaping who we are, connecting us to our past, and guiding us toward our future. The characters in these stories are our relatives—our ancestors.

Family history is discovering more about those relatives—the ones who lived before us and are part of our own stories. It’s about following the threads of our roots, preserving their tales, and honoring their legacy.

At its core, family history is the study and documentation of your ancestry and the lives of your relatives across generations. It involves tracing family roots, building family trees, and understanding how historical events, traditions, and choices have shaped your family’s story. This process often includes researching birth, marriage, and death records, preserving oral histories, and uncovering cultural heritage and values passed down through generations. In essence, family history connects us to the past, explains the present, and creates a foundation for future generations, instilling a sense of identity and belonging.

Why Does Family History Matter?

Family history matters because it connects us to something bigger than ourselves. It allows us to understand where we come from, providing context for who we are today. It bridges generational gaps, helping us build stronger relationships with those who came before us and those who will follow.

This process isn’t just about uncovering facts; it’s about uncovering meaning. It’s about hearing the stories of perseverance, faith, and love that shaped our ancestors’ lives. These stories don’t just tell us about the past; they teach us lessons for the present and future.

What Counts as a Family History?

Family history encompasses more than just dates and charts; it’s the heartbeat of your family’s legacy. It includes everything that connects us to our roots—personal stories, traditions, photographs, heirlooms, recipes, and even the values passed down through generations. It’s the moments of laughter captured in a shared memory, the lessons embedded in a grandparent’s tale, or the handwritten letters that carry whispers of the past.

We believe family history is found in the everyday moments and cherished keepsakes that tell your family’s unique story. Whether it’s a journal entry, a family recipe, or the story of how your parents met, every piece contributes to the rich narrative of who you are and where you come from. By preserving these elements, you ensure that your family’s roots remain strong and meaningful for generations to come.

Paper with typed genealogical records and dates.

From Boring to Meaningful

Like many, I thought family history was for people older than me. I also believed others had already completed my family history, so I didn’t need to participate. Honestly, I didn’t know how to start family history, and the idea of doing it seemed overwhelming and, dare I say, boring.

I was under the false impression that family history was all about endless documentation, tracing family roots, and creating family trees. While those elements play a part, I’ve learned that family history is much more than that. It’s powerful, personal, and, most importantly, unfinished. Each generation adds new chapters, and each person’s contribution matters.

In doing Family History, I often look back at my life and see how I have enjoyed connecting with my ancestors. Family is something that has always been important to me. I haven’t always been good at keeping a personal journal, but I have always loved writing personal stories. Shortly after Dave and I were married, I asked him to help me write a story for our kids about how he and I met. I wanted it to be like a fairytale that they would enjoy reading. It would have little tales of our marriage and family life. By the time Dave and I were both old, we’d have a set of treasured, hand-written books to pass to our posterity. We created a wonderful ‘first chapter’ that captured the tale of our meeting and getting engaged. It would be a great story if we continued to write it (remember I said I haven’t always been good at keeping a journal!). Maybe sometime I will share with you the first chapter of this book. And maybe someday I will fill its pages with tales of some of my favorite memories.

I have learned that family history can be so much fun! Writing stories creatively (like a fairytale), learning new skills that help me connect with my ancestors, and exploring interactive tools like family trees and timelines. The more I learn about my roots, the more I want to dig deeper to learn more.

‘His’ Story is Our Story

One of my favorite ways to view family history is as “His-story.” This perspective changes everything. When I focus on “His-story,” I see family history as a reflection of the stories God has written for us. It becomes a journey of discovering how God has worked in and through our ancestors, revealing a greater narrative of faith, grace, and purpose.

Through this lens, family history highlights the values, struggles, and triumphs that have shaped our legacy. It allows us to recognize God’s hand in guiding and blessing our families over generations. Seeing family history this way is deeply humbling and profoundly inspiring. It transforms genealogy into something far more meaningful—a reflection of faith and identity intertwined with God’s plan.

How Can I Check My Family History?

Exploring your family history starts with curiosity and a willingness to uncover the stories waiting to be told. Begin by talking to your relatives—ask about their memories, traditions, and the people who shaped their lives. Dive into old photo albums, letters, or keepsakes that may reveal your roots. From there, tools like online genealogy platforms, historical records, and DNA testing can help you piece together your family tree. I encourage you to embrace this journey with an open heart. Every discovery, no matter how small, adds depth to the story of where you come from and helps preserve your family’s legacy for future generations.

Preserve Your Legacy

Family history is more than names and dates; it’s about stories, connections, and identity. It’s a way of honoring those who came before us while building a foundation for those who will come after us.

So, what’s your story? What legacy do you want to leave? Start exploring today, and let the tapestry of your family’s history inspire you and others.

Tin Cans and Sticks: Games from the Great Depression Era