For many of us, a love for the past didn’t start with a textbook—it started with a doll, a Jack Russell Terrier, or a digital trek across the Oregon Trail. These iconic toys and series did more than just entertain; they invited us to step into the shoes of those who came before us and experience history firsthand. Let’s explore some of the classic books, shows, and games that sparked a lifelong interest in history.
American Girls
When American Girl debuted in 1986, it did more than just sell dolls—it invited children to step back in time. Kids connected with its relatable characters, like the spirited Felicity Merriman of the 1770s or the resilient Addy Walker of the 1860s. And for many, American Girls was a portal into the world of historical fashion. Each doll featured period-specific attire, with descriptions included in each American Girl book. Many fashion historians can thank American Girls for igniting their love for all things linen, cotton, and lace.
Red Cross gives back to Marines and their families by SSgt Benjamin McDonald. Image from Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. Public Domain.
The Oregon Trail
This video game was first created in 1974 with one goal: to teach 8th graders about 19th-century life on the Oregon Trail. With the click of a button, kids quickly learned about the grim reality of the Western frontier. Whether they were hunting bison, fording a river, or mourning another fatal case of dysentery, the game made history feel urgent and interactive. It sparked a fascination with the grit and survival of the pioneers—and taught us all that history was far from pretty.
Magic Tree House
When Mary Pope Osborne first sent Jack and Annie into the woods of Frog Creek in 1992, she gave every child a ticket to the past. The Magic Tree House series transformed history into high-stakes missions, from dodging dinosaurs to escaping volcanic eruptions in Pompeii. These books proved that history wasn’t just a list of dates in a textbook—it was an adventure waiting to be unlocked with the turn of a page.
Wishbone
For many kids in the late '90s, the greatest literary guide was a witty Jack Russell Terrier with a big imagination. The TV series Wishbone introduced young viewers to the classics of world literature and history, from the Odyssey to the works of William Shakespeare. Who could forget the image of Wishbone wearing a 19th-century cravat while teaching us about Jane Austen? For many kids, Wishbone inspired a life-long love for literature and history (and also made them beg their parents for a pet Jack Russell Terrier).
Dear America
Written as fictional diaries, these books allowed us to peek into the private thoughts of girls living through some of history’s darkest eras. First printed in 1996, the original series had a total of 36 books. Whether navigating the Salem Witch Trials or the hardships of the Great Depression, readers didn't just study facts; they began to understand how children felt and persevered during these times. Even today, the Dear America series continues to spark a lifelong fascination with the human stories buried within US history.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
This book series created a surge of young experts who could name every Greek god and goddess before they reached high school. First published in 2005, the adventures of 12-year-old Percy Jackson wove the legends of the past into the modern world. The series' author, Rick Riordan, helped make ancient mythology feel like it was happening in our own backyards and showed millions of kids that the stories of the gods were exciting, messy, and funny. Today, many young people have Percy Jackson to thank for their love of ancient history.
Rick Riordan at the Texas Book Festival in November 2007.
Image by Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Are there any books or games we missed? We’d love to hear from you! Send us a note letting us know how you discovered your love for history. Looking for more ways to make the past come alive for young explorers? Take a look at our latest issue of our kids' magazine!
