Remember When...

[JenB]

Now advertised as a 'retro' toy, what about Slinky, the walking spring 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slinky

[Maggie.]

Each Christmas I got a Rupert The Bear Annual, wrapped up in brown paper with string of course because it was a long time ago and Christmas wrapping paper hadn't been invented. 

There was always a page instructing on how to make an origami model out of paper and I loved making these.  Some of them were fiendishly difficult so I would pester Mum & Dad to help me and it probably did nothing to make their Christmas Day easier.  I remember making a paper kettle, and the book told you that once you had made it you could put some water in it and hold it over a candle and the water would warm up without the paper igniting     

There was a paper bird with flapping wings as well - I still make those for the grandchildren.

[Treetotal]

Thanks for posting the link Maggie..I do remember it...can't find the penguin though but It may have been my older Sister's toy...it was definitely tin....I also have fond memories of the Christmas Annuals...Rupert, Dandy and Beano to name but a few!!!

I don't remember the old slinky Jen...but interesting as I didn't think it went back that far.

 I can picture what you describe GS...magical pop up books  ........ and also making origami items and paper planes.

Anyone remember "Poppet Beads"

Carol

[ann255]

I remember so many of those already mentioned. Here are a couple I don't think have yet.
Magnetic dogs.  A tiny metal corgi like dog on a magnate that mum would put on a metal tray and it would move around. (didnt know there was another one under it that mum was moving) I thought it was magic. (have them somewhere and if I find them will post a photo)
Spinning tops, still around to buy today.
I also remember one year I had a childs microscope. Really excited until I put a tiny pea maggot under it to look at. Terrified me and the microscope had to go back!
I also remember getting a china dolls tea set. Would spend hours with the teapot filled with water pouring out cups for dolls, mum, dad -everyone - over and over again.

[groom]

I remember my sister had a miniature garden which came with lots of plastic flowerbeds and flowers. Then there were all different sorts of fences to put round the gardens.

[Maggie.]

I just LOVED my Muffin the Mule puppet.  I do wish I still had him.

http://www.rootschat.com/links/0x0q/

[groom]

I had one of those and Sooty and Sweep glove puppets.

[Greensleeves]

My elder brother always got the Eagle annual for Christmas; I got Girl and our little brother got Swift.  As I got older I had Girls Crystal and School Friend annuals.  I still have a few of them.  Wish I had my brother's Eagle annuals, he had a full set.

And as mentioned, also Beano and Dandy, and Topper too.

[a-l]

Does anyone remember playing tag , statues ,blind mans buff ,pin the tail on the donkey, tiddlywinks or fanning balloons ?          great thread carol !