The theme of this week’s pictorial trip back in time is child’s play.
The DC Thomson archives team have rummaged through the files and uncovered some cracking pictures of youngsters having fun around Dundee – from games of conkers to soft play and everything in between.
Find some time for a browse to see if you recognise any of the faces or places on show.
These images are courtesy of The Dundonian, which appears in the Evening Telegraph.
Some of these pictures have not been seen for years.
Do they awaken any memories for you?
Anyone for a game of conkers?
Conkers was once played by children in playgrounds across the city.
A basic idea of the game is to strike the opponent’s conker and try to break it.
Health and Safety rules probably ended all that sort of fun.
Christmas presents
There’s nothing more wonderful than seeing a child’s face light up with delight on Christmas morning when the parcels under the tree are ripped open.
Eighteen-month-old Craig Shearer from Baxter Park Terrace was playing with his presents on Christmas Day in 1971, which included a spinning top.
A cowboy gun and drum was also left under the tree.
Poultry in motion
These children welcomed some new additions to their classroom.
Three-day-old chicks were the big attraction when they visited the class at Bellfield Nursery School in Blackness Road in March 1979.
The Blackness school was the first purpose-built nursery in Dundee when it was founded by Jessie Porter in 1918.
Child’s Play
Child’s Play was a TV show where primary school-aged kids were asked to describe everyday words and the results were usually funny or cute.
This is Greg Machray and Cameron Duffy from Hillside Primary in December 1986.
The game was played in four rounds and filming took place at St Ninian’s Primary School for the ITV programme, which was presented by Michael Aspel.
Karate Kid
Karate kids were sweeping the leg in Dundee long before Daniel LaRusso gave Johnny Lawrence a big toe to the eyeball in 1984.
The city’s love for karate has grown over the past five decades, although four-year-old Richard Seivwright seems a bit bored with it all in October 1987.
He was taking part in a full contact workshop at the Menzieshill Community Centre.
Soft play area
Youngsters from Muirhead Playgroup were taking advantage of a new soft play area at Menzieshill Community Centre in Orleans Place in May 1990.
The Courier said the fully-equipped room was “filled with soft, bouncy toys, shapes and surfaces, designed to be the ultimate in safe play”.
It was described as the first of its kind for pre-school children in Dundee.
Sack race
Sport in school has always been part of the curriculum – enjoyed by some pupils and put up with by others.
The sack race at Monikie Primary’s sports day in 1990 looked to be a serious business with quite a few determined competitors there.
We wonder who won first prize?
Snowball fight
This photograph shows pupils from Gowriehill Primary School enjoying themselves when heavy snow swept north in January 1991.
It looks as if a snowball or two is heading towards the photographer.
Can you spot anyone you know?
Cartoon capers
A group of children enjoying a cartoon exhibition at McManus Galleries in July 1991.
Oor Wullie, Dennis The Menace, Desperate Dan and a host of other characters made the exhibition one of the city’s top art attractions.
Children from every school in the city were encouraged to paint pictures and winners received signed certificates from James McIntosh Patrick.
Bird watching at Craigiebarns
Youngsters at Craigiebarns Nursery School take a break after putting up bird boxes in their award-winning nature trail in May 1992.
The former grassed area resembled a typical woodland scene following work over three years which included tree planting and bulbs and shrubs being planted.
A bird hide also gave the opportunity to observe feathered friends and the nursery’s efforts were rewarded with a civic reception at Dundee City Chambers.
Bouncing into fun
Children take a break from the bouncy castle in April 1992.
The picture was taken at the Dick McTaggart Centre in Kirkton during the Easter holiday fortnight, although one person seems to be wearing trainers.
The iconic arch-shaped sports hall opened in 1983 and was the perfect way to celebrate the legacy of the 1956 Olympic boxing gold medallist.
Park Place Primary
Sports day fun at Park Place Primary School in June 1992.
The aim was to pass a Hula hoop through the team by climbing in and out of it.
A sporting scene for the ages, although it is difficult to take your eyes off the classic Scotland away shirt being sported by the boy on the right.
Footballing masterclass
More than 40 members of Dundee United FC’s young supporters’ club enjoyed a coaching session at the Gussie Park training pitches in October 1993.
Tannadice community officer Atholl Henderson said the coaching was designed to improve individual skills but the main emphasis was on having fun.
Did anyone in the picture make the grade?
Easter chicks
Smiling faces in Broughty Ferry in March 1994.
Easter chicks were visiting the children at Treetops Nursery.
They were Black Rock chickens, which are renowned for having a long laying life.
It’s the final image in our gallery of childhood images from days gone by.
Did you spot anyone you know?
Let us know.
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