The Game of Goose was a game of morality in that the penalties accompanied such features as the alehouse and the prison. In the late 19th century, games publishers began using the spiral race track format for games to teach morals. The first of these was The game of human life in 1790 and The new game of emulation published by 1804.

The next wave of games published however was directed more particularly at children: The new game of Virtue Rewarded and Vice Punished for the amusement of the youth of both sexes by Thomas Newton was published by William Darton in 1810. Newton was also responsible for The Mansion of Bliss. Both were handsome games with the spiral track enhanced with attractive illustrations in medallions which represented the good and bad in human nature. Both games remained popular for some time.

These games were designed to teach morals; the rights and wrongs of behaviour. To reinforce this, the games were played with teetotums, rather than dice which were associated with gambling. A teetotum was a small spinning top, with usually six edges (but this could vary from four to 12). Each edge bore a number or letter.

The game progresses from number 1. The House of Correction, through Hypocrisy, Avarice, Impertinence, Sloth, Malice and Envy, or through the virtues of Prudence, Faith, Friendship, Patience and Modesty to number 33 Virtue. Penalties include being returned to the House of Correction for Brutality, landing on Carelessness returns the player to Prudence, and Piety advances the player to Temperance.

• Whitehouse, Francis Reginald Beaman Table games of Georgian and Victorian days London: Peter Garnett, 1951
• Shefrin, Jill Ingenious contrivances: table games and puzzles for children Toronto: Friends of the Osborne & Lillian H. Smith Collections: Toronto Public Library, 1996
• Goodfellow, Caroline A collector's guide to games and puzzles London: Apple Press, c1991

• State Library of South Australia: Children's Literature Research Collection. Games
• Parents' Choice Foundation: A world of games
• Museum of Childhood: The Mansion of Bliss