All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! Although early Matamata settler children were expected to help out on the farm and at home, they did manage to catch some down time. A far cry from plastic Lego bricks and Xbox, on wet days, when indoor activities were the order of the day, you would find them playing games such as snakes and ladders, draughts and card games. Generally only the rich could afford shop bought toys. Children often had hand made toys and games or made their own fun. Paper dolls, thaumatropes and puppet theatres were popular toys to make and play. Rhymes with actions and parlor games such as charades were enjoyed with your siblings. What were your favourite indoor games when you were growing up?
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Posted: 08 May 2026 06:00