Childhood inspires museum’s walk down memory lane

Games People Play is a collection of toys, games, cartoons and pictures curated by community groups – including Tockwith Primary School – to reflect the changing nature of childhood.

People from York have written poems, stories and descriptions for many of the exhibits, allowing their own childhood memories to come flooding back.

Among the items on display are pictures and porcelain figures of cricketers, satirical cartoons of politicians and photographs of children playing in the street from years gone by.

There is a cartoon from the First World War depicting Kaiser Wilhelm playing chess with the Grim Reaper and a charming sketch of a cat playing cricket by Louis Wain.

A deck of cards which formed part of a campaign by homeless charity Shelter and featured designs from Damien Hirst, Nick Park and Vivienne Westwood is also on display.

Museum Learning Manager Gaby Lees said: “This is a community effort which reflects how play and childhood has changed dramatically over the decades.”

The exhibition is in the Little Gallery and open 10am to 5pm daily until April 15.