The small plastic toys that shot out of this Christmas's crackers reminded me of those wonderful miniature knick knacks we had as a kid. Here are a few I remember. Do you?
Magic Fish - these small plastic film fish would squirm and flip in your palm. Not sure of the science. I imagine its static.
Chain Mail Fish - an articulated metal fish usually at the end of a key chain. It was very floppy and golden.
Plastic Book Viewer: a small plastic book that you looked into to see something, which I can't remember. It could have been a picture or even a magnifying glass. Often the book was a Bible and again a key chain.
Metal Concertina Book - another key chain special, this was a small golden metal book, that when unhinged a concertina of paper pictures would flop out as a single many folded strip. Often pictures of Spain or Ilfracombe.
Desiccated Worm - this was a squished up paper worm ball that when placed in water would expand into a much bigger worm. A sort of joke for bathtime.
Restless Skeleton - my joint fave knick knack of all time, this was a small plastic magnetised Skeleton, which just would't lie down on its coffin. Also came as a restless pharaoh called King Tut. Typical of the treasures on offer mail order from the mighty Ellisdons of Liverpool.
Do you remember these and more mini toys?
Pictures welcome!
Is the magic fish the fortune telling fish, where the heat form your hand would make the plastic film move? They are still made.
ReplyDeleteThat's the one Andy, a fantastically simple thing. I loved all those little tricks and jokes like this as a kid.
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