Technology has transformed the way children play, but many games of yesteryear can still be found in backyards and schools.
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A new exhibition exploring how toys have evolved was opened to the public in a community day on Saturday.
The opening of Albury LibraryMuseum’s Toy Stories: Toys and Games from the Past was joined by virtual reality, wooden toy making and a range of other activities.
Items on display include the pre-Lego Skyscraper Building Set of the 1950s, Hush-A-Bye dolls and tea sets of the same period, and Cyclops toys.
Learning and outreach co-ordinator Caryn Giblin said photos of children making wooden toys at Bonegilla were a talking point among families.
“They love the old skates … hopskotch, marbles, those are some of the ones that are still around today,” she said.
“The exhibition really hits the primary school curriculum about now and then, past and present.”
A monopoly-style game designed around Albury-Wodonga, produced by E-Systems Publication in 1985, drew attention as did a 100-year-old stereoscope viewer.
The LibraryMuseum received a grant to co-ordinate the exhibition and community day, running in conjunction with the NSW Seniors Festival.
Events officer Mandy Bland said while the weather had shifted some parts inside, offerings like virtual reality and metal-toy making had attracted families.
“We wanted to have a community event around the exhibition and have different toys and games out in QEII Square,” she said.
“It’s cross-generational, where grandparents can bring their families, and kids can come, to interact and reminisce.
Ms Giblin said part of the grant allowed a group of 12 Lavington Public School students to develop a book from their meetings with residents at UPA Lavington.
“The students went to UPA and talked with the residents about the old games they used to play, and they were photographed playing some of those games,” she said.
“A beautiful book has been made about it, which was launched on Friday and is now on display.”
Eleven-year-old George Harmer was among the authors of the book.
“I like the game Rounders,” he said.
Another young author’s work was featured at the community day on Saturday.
Wodonga’s Tessa Quinlan, 13, was there to tell families about her book Grandma Wins, which won a RedGum Book Club competition.
“It’s about all the different wants grandma gets Jack to eat his fruit and vegetables, and that’s how she wins,” she said.
