A Tea Party in Time:
A Childhood Memory from the 1960s
Some family photos speak louder than words, and this one - capturing a children’s tea party in the mid-1960s - opens a window into a whole world of childhood play, imagination, and social learning.
This is a very special photo for me, as it shows myself , aged around five, and my childhood friend Barbara, seated together at our little tea table (both barefooted, as usual), sharing a moment that has stayed with me across the years.
The Scene
The photograph is simple yet deeply evocative. The serious expressions on our faces remind me that photos of that time were often staged, aiming for dignity rather than spontaneity. Yet behind those rather solemn faces is a world of play and imagination - a world that reflects how children learned, created, and grew in their everyday lives.
Childhood play for me was characterised by simple, imaginative games often played outdoors with readily available simple materials - chalk for hopscotch, a rope for skipping, boxes for creating cities in the dirt, a tennis ball for 'Brandy', old tins and a piece of string for 'phones', fallen tree branches to build 'cubbies'.
We had to be inventive with 'found' materials because we didn't own lots of toys, making do with what we had. We also had to create our own entertainment. In those days we didn't ask our parents "What can we do?" We knew the answer would be "Get outside and play!"
Tea Parties and Imaginative Play
In the 1960s, playing tea party was a common and beloved part of childhood, particularly for girls. It wasn’t just entertainment. These make-believe gatherings gave us a chance to practice social skills, explore different roles, and express ourselves. They mirrored the routines we saw in adults - serving food, welcoming guests, and creating community, albeit in miniature form.
The Deeper Role of Tea Parties in Childhood
A Cultural Snapshot
The modest setting of this photo - a small front porch with polished wooden floors - reflects the post-war domestic environment of most families in my neighbourhood. It was in such simple surroundings that children’s imagination flourished. By the 1960s, society increasingly celebrated childhood as a special stage of life. Families invested in toys and photographs, recording moments like this one as treasured memories.
Legacy and Family Reflection
Looking back, this tea party photograph is far more than a posed family picture. It represents the essence of mid-century childhood: serious faces in playful settings, simple toys carrying deep meaning, and small acts of imagination that shaped how children understood the world.
For my family, this photo is a reminder not only of the children themselves but also of the cultural values, traditions, and daily life that shaped our upbringing. It invites us to reflect on how play, across generations, continues to be a bridge of learning, joy, and connection.
Closing Thought
This photo of Barbara and me has always been one of my favourites. It reminds me not only of the simple games we played, but also of the innocence and creativity that shaped our early years. By sharing it here in my family tree blog, I hope to preserve both the image and the story for generations to come - so that others in the family can remember how even the simplest moments of childhood, play carried deep meaning and joy.
