Introduction

Childhood and play in early America, 1600-1800

The attempt to domesticate childhood and play, 1800-1850

The stuff of childhood, 1850-1900

The invasion of children's play culture, 1900-1950

The golden age of unstructured play, 1900-1950

The commercialization and co-optation of children's play, 1950 to the present

Children's play goes underground, 1950 to the present

Conclusion.