In their half term, Redbridge children got to have fun like their 19th century counterparts by making their own Victorian toys.

Ilford Recorder: Mia Collison and Rob Dorney with their Victorian toysMia Collison and Rob Dorney with their Victorian toys (Image: Archant)

A busy Past Times session at Valentines Mansion in Emerson Road, Ilford, on Monday gave youngsters an opportunity to create cup and ball games, Jacob’s ladders, flick books and zoetropes.

Chloe Keegan, Maize Barmer, Mia Collison, Ammaar Ali Syed and Eliza Syed all showed off their creativity by proudly displaying their cup and ball games.

Many of the children also made small dolls and Laura Vainonaite and Florence Wainwright played a miniature version of skittles.

A Jacob’s ladder is a series of blocks of wood held together by strings or ribbons, which gives the appearance that the blocks are cascading down the strings when held.

It is actually believed to date back to ancient Egypt.

And after learning about how Victorian children played, the crafty kids all got to take their toys away for more play at home as well.