Pre-Boomers Knew How to Create Their Own Fun
I was born in 1936, so I don't remember much until after the war broke out, except for the warm comfortable feelings of being part of a loving home.
Looking back, I guess there were things I missed having due to the rationing and general scarcity of goods during WWII, but I never felt without and have fond memories of those times.
Those of us who came into this world between 1930 and 1945 -- before the time when television was the family babysitter and teacher or when kids had to be driven everywhere and remain under the watchful eye of their parents -- seemed to find a way to make our own fun, which is the best fun.
In Philadelphia, everyone played in front of their own house.
If we didn't go to the park or the playground the kids played stick ball and touch football as well as numerous other games in the street with telephone poles and street lights representing the boundaries.
We played stoop ball alone until someone came along and made it a game.
The girls played outside, too.
They jumped rope, sometimes double-dutch, played hopscotch and jacks.
Everyone roller-skated, the clamp on kind where you needed a key.
And, when the skates wore out, we attached the wheels to a 2X4 and put an old apple or orange create on the front to make a swell scooter.
If you were lucky enough to have one, rode your bock endless times around the block.
The guys also liked to shoot marbles in the dirt or play mumbly peg with a pen knife.
Most all the kids had pocket knife, with the little kids having smaller knives.
I don't remember anyone ever getting hurt, but my mother used to warn me to be careful not to put my eye out.
Every mother said that, I guess.
When the girls played dolls, the boys engaged in war games -- either against the kids across the street (using cap guns and homemade wooden rifles and snowballs in the winter) or with lead soldiers and tin trucks in the back garden.
There were always lots of kids to help make whatever we did a little more fun and a lot more competitive.
Rainy days where a bit more challenging.
Kids tended to play in their own homes.
As an only child in a home full of adults, I either went to a friend's house to play cards and board games or upstairs to my room to entertain myself.
I had Tinker Toys, Lincoln Logs, and an Erector Set to keep me busy building things.
Or I could read, draw or practice doing tricks with my yo-yo.
There was always something to do that did not require, going somewhere, adult supervision, or spending money.
I'll always remember those wonderful times and hope they were good for you, too.
Now, I try to teach my grandchildren that it doesn't take a scheduled play-date, or something new, or something expensive to have fun.
Whether they're alone or with friends, all it takes is a little imagination.
Looking back, I guess there were things I missed having due to the rationing and general scarcity of goods during WWII, but I never felt without and have fond memories of those times.
Those of us who came into this world between 1930 and 1945 -- before the time when television was the family babysitter and teacher or when kids had to be driven everywhere and remain under the watchful eye of their parents -- seemed to find a way to make our own fun, which is the best fun.
In Philadelphia, everyone played in front of their own house.
If we didn't go to the park or the playground the kids played stick ball and touch football as well as numerous other games in the street with telephone poles and street lights representing the boundaries.
We played stoop ball alone until someone came along and made it a game.
The girls played outside, too.
They jumped rope, sometimes double-dutch, played hopscotch and jacks.
Everyone roller-skated, the clamp on kind where you needed a key.
And, when the skates wore out, we attached the wheels to a 2X4 and put an old apple or orange create on the front to make a swell scooter.
If you were lucky enough to have one, rode your bock endless times around the block.
The guys also liked to shoot marbles in the dirt or play mumbly peg with a pen knife.
Most all the kids had pocket knife, with the little kids having smaller knives.
I don't remember anyone ever getting hurt, but my mother used to warn me to be careful not to put my eye out.
Every mother said that, I guess.
When the girls played dolls, the boys engaged in war games -- either against the kids across the street (using cap guns and homemade wooden rifles and snowballs in the winter) or with lead soldiers and tin trucks in the back garden.
There were always lots of kids to help make whatever we did a little more fun and a lot more competitive.
Rainy days where a bit more challenging.
Kids tended to play in their own homes.
As an only child in a home full of adults, I either went to a friend's house to play cards and board games or upstairs to my room to entertain myself.
I had Tinker Toys, Lincoln Logs, and an Erector Set to keep me busy building things.
Or I could read, draw or practice doing tricks with my yo-yo.
There was always something to do that did not require, going somewhere, adult supervision, or spending money.
I'll always remember those wonderful times and hope they were good for you, too.
Now, I try to teach my grandchildren that it doesn't take a scheduled play-date, or something new, or something expensive to have fun.
Whether they're alone or with friends, all it takes is a little imagination.
Source...