WWII Toys and Games Teach Wartime Sacrifice

Lubbock museum exhibit explores how families used creative methods to help children understand their role in supporting the war effort.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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During World War II, the U.S. government implemented widespread rationing programs that affected daily life in ways that seem foreign today. To help children understand the sacrifices being made, families turned to toys and games that conveyed the importance of supporting the war effort. The Silent Wings Museum in Lubbock, Texas, has assembled an exhibit showcasing these creative methods, from wooden toys to playing cards with silhouettes of allied and enemy aircraft.

Why it matters

The rationing and restrictions of WWII touched every aspect of American life, from food and fuel to materials like paint and cotton. While adults understood the necessity of these sacrifices, it was up to parents and families to teach children about the war effort and the importance of doing their part. This exhibit provides a window into how families used toys, games, and other creative means to engage kids and help them grasp the gravity of the situation.

The details

The exhibit features a variety of WWII-era toys and games that were designed to educate children about the war effort. This includes a game called "Winnit" that is similar to Yahtzee but with a focus on rationing, as well as playing cards that featured silhouettes of allied and enemy aircraft instead of traditional designs. The museum also showcases handmade wooden toys created by families, as well as a special stuffed animal sent home by a student glider pilot at the nearby South Plains Army Flying School to stay connected with a loved one.

  • The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor launched the U.S. into WWII in late 1941.
  • Rationing programs began in January 1942, affecting everything from tires and gasoline to food and clothing.
  • The U.S. rationing programs lasted until 1947, helping the Allies rebuild Europe and Asia.

The players

Silent Wings Museum

A museum in Lubbock, Texas that focuses on the history of glider pilots during WWII and how families supported the war effort on the home front.

Sharon McCullar

The curator at the Silent Wings Museum who assembled the exhibit on WWII toys and games.

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What they’re saying

“It seems like something foreign to us, to have to pay attention to the bag your commodity comes in — your seed, flour, sugar — is going to feed being able to make clothing because that's not something you can just go down and purchase ten yards of something.”

— Sharon McCullar, Curator, Silent Wings Museum (kcbd.com)

“A student glider pilot bought this at the PX and sent it home to somebody and made a connection with them even from far away. That little kid didn't know exactly what SPAFS meant, but 'Uncle Joe sent this home to me, and I know that he's still thinking about me, so I'll keep thinking about him.'”

— Sharon McCullar, Curator, Silent Wings Museum (kcbd.com)

What’s next

The Silent Wings Museum's featured exhibit on WWII toys and games will be open to the public through the end of April 2026.

The takeaway

This exhibit provides a unique look at how American families during WWII used creativity and ingenuity to help children understand the sacrifices being made on the home front. By incorporating educational toys and games, parents were able to engage kids and foster a sense of shared responsibility in supporting the war effort, laying the foundation for the nation's determination and resilience.