The Association of Societies “Our Children” of Croatia is the largest and oldest organization for children in Croatia, which has been taking care of them for more than 70 years. Since its inception, the Association has initiated activities to promote quality toys, and in 1955, the “Center for Children’s Toys” was founded, which worked on the collection and classification of various types of toys, the formation of a museum collection, domestic and international exchanges and exhibitions, and published professional newsletters in which the authors wrote about the pedagogical, psychological and other influences and qualities of toys and their role in a child’s development.
The exhibition Time Machine of Children’s Games is a small part of the rich collection created and preserved by the Association (created in the period from the mid-1950s to the mid-1970s). These are toys collected from several sources: domestic and industrial production from about 30 countries around the world, toys from domestic peasant, urban, craft, industrial production, and toys from home crafts.
Among them are moving toys (a wooden riding horse, a stroller and a car, animals on wheels), because young children like to swing, push, and ride, and such toys are an inevitable part of their childhood. Board games (chess, mill) develop logical thinking, while constructive toys (wooden blocks, models, etc.) develop work habits, patience, and imagination. Dolls and toys of different animals help develop feelings in a child, such as: love, friendship, closeness, and helping. Traditional children’s toys are also on display, and as examples we cite the Prigorje village of Vidovec, Lepoglava, Laz, and Marija Bistrica in Hrvatsko Zagorje, and Ribnica in Slovenia. These toys are simple to make, made of natural materials – wood, clay, wicker, or shell. A special place is occupied by the doll and its development from rag to plastic with the advent of polyvinyl, produced in the “Biserka” factory. Unfortunately, with the closure of the Center (in the late 1970s), this unique cultural treasure awaits professional treatment and adequate space, and the exhibition is a ray of light in that effort.