I’ve written a few times on my blog about my nostalgia for the playgrounds of my childhood. Those 1970’s parks filled with hot metal slides, death defying merry go rounds and pinchy chain link. They made playing at the park just a bit edgier didn’t they?
This gift guide is for the folks who take their children to the foam and padding parks of today, but secretly wish they were back in the not-so-safe but oh-so-fun playgrounds of yesterday. A collection of photographs and art that take the recipient right back to their memories of squeaky swings, foursquare painted on asphalt and freedom.
Snapco’s shop is filled with a small number of prints, each flooded with color and retro memories. This particular print (above) is called “Recess Is Over”. A perfect gift for the childhood friend that would have been hanging for dear life to those slippery bars with you.
Adorn your gift with this charming Ring Around The Rosie card by StaceyWinters. Her subject is a playground game we all played, and she sets the scene with those retro figurines we all used.
Perhaps you are gifting someone with a playground nostalgia that goes even further back than yours? Someone who scoffs, “Sissies!” at your tales of protruding metal bolts. This is the print for them, a vintage photograph of a death defying double wooden slide fashioned from precariously nailed, leftover lumber scraps.
The next two pieces of giftable art recall recess crushes and how they made our hearts race a little faster. A knowing nod to when we counted down the minutes till the bell on the wall would ring, letting us play hopscotch with the object of our affection.
A beautiful pen and ink drawing by bluebicicletta.
And a limited edition lino cut print by Stephanie Mercado called, “Me Without You”.
Race you to the slides!
Lotta
Absolutely brilliant! I saw the photo of the merry-go-round, my heart skipped a beat and I thought, "Where is this long forgotten little park? I must got there now and spin myself silly!" The one in our park was not so colorfully painted, but I wish I had a photo of it just the same. I may need to buy both prints. Out in the way back corner of the property my parents owned was a giant ski jump of the same era (guessing 1920's/30's) as the wooden double slide. Proof that my grandparents' generation was crazier than mine can ever claim!
– Rach
I have an opportunity to get an old merry-go-round like the one pictured. It will probably need a need ball bearing plus maybe other things! I have no clue as to how to repair the thing, but the multi-color go round is definitely a walk back into my 50’s childhood and I’d like to try to restore this piece for my grandkids. Any suggestions? Thanks so much!