An introduction to playing with things
Channel: British Library
Date: 2016-10-13

Toys and everyday found objects have swept through playgrounds for centuries, temporarily filling the pockets of children before losing their place to ever-newer trends. Over the years, the playground has borne witness to all kinds of crazes, including tops and hoops; jacks; fivestones; cigarette cards; skip balls; conkers; Spice Girl trading cards; Pokémon; yo-yos; pogs; Match Attax cards and Bakugan figures to name but a few. 

Such fads are central to children’s play, and these items often take hold in playgrounds for months at a time. As one girl put it, these crazes spread like ‘butter on toast.’ Not all items are one-hit-wonders, however, and many may be revived, such as marbles or trading cards in their various incarnations. Non-commercial, mundane objects are equally important to children’s play: thanks to the inexhaustible creativity of children’s minds, a heap of grass cuttings or a muddy puddle can capture the imagination just as much as a Barbie or warrior figure.

Introduction by Michael Rosen.

Explore more films along with articles and teaching resources on the British Library’s Playtimes website: http://www.bl.uk/playtimes