Old time play. What passtimes from your childhood will never be again?

[csziggy]

148. Oh yes - we had wild animals to play with

We caught our own turtles for pets - none of those poor painted turtles from the dime store. We had snakes - one year we found a nest of baby ring necked snakes and took home handfuls of them.

As a very young child before I went to kindergarten, I played with spotted skunks in the backyard. They were pretty gentle and never sprayed me. Mom had to be cautious about coming to bring me in because she didn't want to frighten them into spraying.

Our little town also had an Arts & Crafts program to help out parents who had to work but could not pay child care. We met in the shop classroom at the junior high and did all sorts of crafts - making plaster molds and painting them, metal work, limited carpentry, ceramics, braiding, leather work, etal. I think the main cost was to pay for materials. I was frustrated since they would let the boys use the power tools, but girls were not allowed, but I did make a book case/shelf, doing everything but cutting the wood to length - I still own that piece and am still proud I planned and made it myself.

I think you're right - kids today often have no opportunity to really get involved with life and be hands on. A lot of the things I learned and am still interested in began with childhood exposure - making things, watching wildlife, love of animals, and so much more. Watching videos can add to those interests, but without getting personally involved they just wouldn't give the same thrill of personal discovery and achievement.