John Lyle was a young boy growing up in the Stockbridge Colonies area during World War Two. Many of John’s family were employed in war-related work including his father who drove an ambulance. He remembers the differences to everyday life made by the threat of war such as  black-outs and missing railings. He had a fun childhood though, telling of a time when children often strayed around their neighbourhood playing games with friends. He described his playground to his granddaugher who drew a pictorial map of John’s favourite haunts and hide-outs. Find the map in John’s ‘Life in a box’ in Whose Town? and discover where the best tree for climbing was and where to go fishing in the Water of Leith.

And in an time of make do and mend, before smart phones and tablets were even dreamt of, children had to use their imagination and ingenuity to make their own toys. Here’s a selection of toys handmade by grandfather John replicating games he used to play as a boy.

Can you work out how he and his friends played with each of the objects? Some are easy, but here’s some clues to help you out:

Top left: Strung from house to house across the street this contraption allowed conversations to continue after home-time.
Top middle: Children from the colonies would decorate one of these and use them for lighting their bedroom during the blackout.
Top right: You’ll need the knack to create a kaleidoscope of colours.
Middle middle: Can you throw one stone up in the air, pick up another and catch the tossed stone before it lands?
Middle right: A weapon of attack and defence for wartime children.
Bottom left: Things could get serious if we’re playing for keeps.
Bottom middle: Filled with bits of bark and set fire, then swung around your head to make a whirring noise, this toy was not for the faint-hearted. (Don’t try this one at home!)