Boomers had inside games such as Meccano and Bayko building sets; Lionel and Hornby model trains; Game Emporiums, Cludo and Monopoly; the Hula-Hoop and wrist-breaking Klackers; Barbie dolls and Easy-Bake Ovens.

And boomers had outside games which tended to be louder, more dangerous and had the additional bonus of total lack of parental supervision. These games had simple props such as rope, matches, balls and an occasional knife. They had names like Bull Rush where a group of kids hurled themselves at a single child at the opposite end of the playing area; or Brandy where you simply had to throw a ball and hit the opposition as hard as possible, preferably leaving a red mark, or brand. Tears were inevitable and an occasional eye was blacked but it appears that most of us survived.