Stories of Childhood

Most people can remember a favourite toy and some grown ups have kept at least one for sentimental reasons. Did you have one special toy for most of your childhood? Or did it change every now and then as you grew up? The objects on display here are all part of Barnsley’s museum collections. Each one comes with a story to tell of precious bonds and playing with others, or of the occasional argument over who won the game.

Game of Life, c.1980

Box of "Game of Life" by MB Games. The cover shows a colorful board with paths and landmarks. Includes fake money and cards. Text highlights it as a game of skill and chance for ages 8 to adult.

Originally created in 1860, this game focuses on the player travelling through different stages of life, such as attending college, getting married or having children.

Argos Catalogue

Vintage 1974 Argos catalogue with a dark green cover. The text reads "buy it at Argos and pocket the difference." Price listed as 20p. Catalogue number 2 by Argos Distributors Ltd.

Do you remember using the Argos catalogue to create your Christmas wish list? We've found an online version of this catalogue

 

Minton Tiles, c.1880

  • A tile featuring an illustration of a child in a bonnet and dress, using a washboard and bucket. Steam rises from the washboard. The word "Monday" is printed above. The artwork is in monochrome orange.

Designed by Ellen Moughton for Minton entitled 'The Days of the Week' introduced in about 1880. They have transfer printed outlines which are filled in with colour all in shades of orange.

Wooden Yo-Yo, mid-20th century 

These toys first became fashionable in England in 1791 when a print of King George IV playing with a yo-yo was published.

Scrabble, 1970s

Denise from Darfield has kindly donated an impressive collection of classic family board games. Scrabble is still a favourite in many homes.The rules can be seen inside the lid.

Paddington Bear, 2022

This little bear came as an extra treat in a McDonald’s Happy Meal. The toy was left at the Town Hall in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II after she passed away.

Dana Bear, 1980s

 

Designed by Dana Kubick, famous illustrator and tin artist for Barnsley Canister Company. The bear also inspired Dana’s popular children’s book Midnight Teddies.

Lead Farm Animals, 1950s

A collection of lead farm animal toys which belonged to Elizabeth. She remembers playing with the animals on a farmyard made by her grandfather when she was a child. Elizabeth grew up in Grimethorpe, Barnsley in the late 1950s.  

Action Man Figure, 1990

Polly Pocket Horse and Stable, 2000s

Launched in 1989, the original Polly Pocket toys were plastic cases whichopened to form a dolls house or playset. Helena remembers dressing Polly in her horse-riding outfits.

Pixel Chix House, 2000

Helena played with this toy in her childhood home in Royston in the early 2000s. She remembers seeing TV adverts for Pixel Chix and asked for one for her birthday. You had to look after Pixel in her house and she could even go in her car to different places.

Landrover Toy, 2018

 

Donated in 2018, Alfie said that he had enough toys and wanted the Museum to have them. Thanks Alfie!

Woody figure, 1990s

Belonging to the Wood brothers, a beloved figure from Pixar’s Toy Story film.