Do you remember all the somethings you did when you were a child? I can remember loving my bike, going to the swings, playing cat's cradle but most other things I had forgotten all about until I stumbled across this fabulous vintage book in one of my favourite shops in Swanage a while back. This was published in 1969 but despite the many years that have passed by, it is still a goldmine of activities. Innocent, charming and not a computer game in sight.
The book is divided into months of the year and then again into activities to be done indoors and outdoors. Each month features a different bird, a pet, a flower. There are games to play, recipes, songs, things to make, do and sew, and so much more, all accompanied by Shirley Hughes's wonderful illustrations to boot.
But do you remember this one? I used to love making fortune tellers with old scraps of paper and was delighted to be reminded how to do them. And it seems the children are just as keen as I was, so we've been having a great time today.
Obviously I just had to make one of my own, although I've no doubt my fortunes were very different to what they would have been the last time I played!
And if you're interested in having a go too, I found the very same book on Amazon for a penny.
That's new pence by the way!
That book looks really interesting - ideal with the holidays now approaching.
ReplyDeleteAm lucky that my 2 are quite good at keeping themselves amused - if they ever look bored I can always find them housework to do ;)
What a great little book, I loved Shirley Hughes illustrations when I was a child especially 'Dogger'.
ReplyDeleteAnn x
What a great little book. When my 2 wer little, I taught them all the things that I had played when I was little. They had great fun, but the result was that we always had a garden bursting with other kids from the street over the school holidays - I ended up being an unpaid child minder!!! The thing they loved most was making dens out of old blankets and chairs etc. Hubby often said that our garden looked liked Soweto! xxx
ReplyDeleteWell 1969 was after my childhood - I was in my 20's by then!! But I do remember that paper folding fortune telling game and cat's cradles along with jacks, marbles and skipping games. I also remember Shirley Hughes illustrations from books my daughter used to enjoy - thanks for the trip down memory lane!
ReplyDeleteJane
Isn't it funny how these old crazes keep turning up through the years?I haven't seen jacks for years though and don't think marbles will ever make a real comeback do you?
ReplyDeleteCheers
Helen
What a fantastic book, that fortune teller really does bring back memories.
ReplyDeleteLovely lovely book..I love childhood games. I still use this fun little folding one with my students...they LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteHugs for a great new day. xoxo
wasnt life fab in the black and white days.....(pracically all my memories are in b & w or very faded colour how odd)all that freedom and fun in really simple stuff...great find
ReplyDeleteOh lordy, I remember those fortune tellers! Takes me back...I do think I recall the names of particular boys on the ones we made :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great book!
Love your wonderful heart sachets, just beautiful!
Ooooohhhh yes I remember all of those - even though I was born the seventies, though I think my favourite game of all was dutch skipping!
ReplyDeletetake care,
Nina xxx
JUST HAD TO COMMENT ON THE PRETTY LAVENDER HEARTS THAT YOU MADE!
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THE FABRICS ARE SO DIVINE!
THEY SURE MAKE BEAUTIFUL PRESENTS!
DEBBIE MOSS
Oh I love those sorts of books. So much fun to be had and the illustrations are just gorgeous. Loved the hearts in your last post by the way. Definitely coveting the fabrics you used! x
ReplyDeleteGosh what fun - I so remember making those paper fortune tellers. Sometimes we went into quite elaborate detail decorating them. Sad that all children do now is computers isn't it.
ReplyDeleteFantastic book - if anyone wants a book for their child which is similar but much easier to get hold of, the Dangerous Book For Boys is brilliant! I bought this for my son and it bought back a lot of memories! Love your blog xxx
ReplyDeleteIn all the 38 years I taught, folded fortune-tellers never went out of fashion. However, the 'fortunes' of the last few years were rather less innocent than the ones we used to write!!
ReplyDeleteI remeber that furtune teller of paper and we used to play with very fun!!
ReplyDeleteMy mum bought us that book when we were little and we loved it - what a lovely memory to bring back - thank you x
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