Just as children have had a place in history, so too do children have a place in re-enactment events.
When it comes to playing dress up, kids aren't the only ones who like to get into the act. Adults enjoy playing dress up as much as younger children. Because of this, there are a number of games and activities that children and adults of all ages can enjoy together while in costume.
Tea Party
While the traditional teddy bear tea party is a game where young girls may dress up and invite family members to have dinner with their favorite stuffed animals, some tea rooms, restaurants and other event spaces have taken this a step further by offering tea party services. These events give young children and their mothers and grandmothers makeovers that may include hair, makeup and nails before allowing them to try on fancy dresses, tiaras and feather boas in preparation for a fully catered tea party with finger sandwiches and cakes. You may cater a party such as this, or contact a local tea room to see if such services are offered.
Interactive History
You may be familiar with Civil War re-enactment groups, but did you know that there are many groups dedicated to researching and re-enacting almost every period of history? These groups study periods from the Bronze Age up until the present day for fun. Their focus may be military history, handcrafts, oral history or a combination of historical specialties. Their research may be mixed with competitions such as war games or science fairs. Additionally, these groups often present their body of knowledge in educational demonstrations for schools, public libraries, social groups or educational groups such as the Boy Scouts. Because many of these historians are parents, it is not uncommon that they include their children in recreation. Often, children who participate in interactive history focus on the role of children in history. This is one way that children absorb history and connect with the past. Local interactive history groups frequently maintain a web presence or are known through local colleges or libraries. Contacting such as group is a good way to get started in re-enactment.
Live Action Role Play
Live action role play, or LARP involves objective and story-based games in which each member assumes a role of one of the story's characters and acts out that character for the length of the game. Often, to get into the role and create a sense of realism, the player may employ props and costumes. Some groups who meet regularly include families. When this is the case, the children often form the core of the playing group, or may be included in a game along with their parents or older siblings. The child may choose to play a child-aged character or a fully grown character. To conduct your own LARP, you can find rule books and source material at your local book store. These books generally contain guidelines for setting up and running your own LARP.
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