Pictures of Dundee children at play through the years

youngsters around a table at a charity garage sale — Children held a garage sale in aid of the Romanian Orphans Appeal in Dundee in August 1990. Image: DC Thomson.

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?

two boys play conkers while other boys look on in a Dundee street — A game of conkers in October 1947. Image: DC Thomson.

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

a toddler lying amid a pile of Christmas gifts and wrapping paper — Craig Shearer with his presents in 1971. Image: DC Thomson.

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

Bellfield Nursery children look at some chicks placed on a table. — Bellfield Nursery children with chicks. Image: DC Thomson.

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

Young boys sit on the floor at the full contact karate workshop. — Young boys at the full contact workshop. Image: DC Thomson.

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

children in the soft play room at the Dundee playgroup — Muirhead Playgroup in the soft play room with Linda Coutts. Image: DC Thomson.

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

children in a school playground throw snowballs towards the camera — Gowriehill pupils enjoying the snow. Image: DC Thomson.

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 Dundee — Children of all ages had a great time at the exhibition. Image: DC Thomson.

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 look through binoculars towards the camera — Looking for birds in May 1992. Image: DC Thomson.

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.