Childhood Games 1940-1960


Summer-time, the living was exciting
There was no TV’s or computers
For you had to entertain yourself
While playing with sisters or brothers.
You also played with the other kids
While playing lots of games in the street
And if you ever saw a car on the road
It was such a rarity to meet.
For the street was then your playground
Where many good times you then had
As many people travelled by bus or bike
Not many children seemed sad.


The marble season arrived after Easter
So kids carried around a bag of pleasure
Little balls of colour, either glass or ceramic
Yet a ball bearing was certainly a treasure
Stilts, well they caused endless amusement
For at least a few weeks of the year
You staggered down street, two foot higher
But if you tried dancing, a fall you would fear.
Roller skating came before skateboarding
But you needed a smooth surface
While many children liked hopscotch
So there were numbers squares all over the place.


Saturday morning was picture time
Many good adventure films on a small screen
Cowboys and Indians were always favourites
So many young lads with cap guns could be seen
Lads would also collect frog spawn and snails
And bring sticklebacks home in jam jars
No one bothered then about health and safety
It just wasn’t a problem in past years
Girls would chant rhymes while skipping
With one long rope several could skip together
Playing out in the street when you were young
Was fun as long as you got good weather.

Doreen E Hampshire

I wrote this poem following on from Karen's theme "REMEMBER HOW IT WAS" topic