If you were a child in the late 1960’s and/or early 1970’s you would remember ‘Clackers’ … also known as a multitude of other names including:
Could you imagine toys with those sort of names in this day and age with our over the top politically correct, lets wrap everyone in cotton wool and bubble wrap culture?
Anyway, back then ‘Clackers’ or whatever you liked to call them were hugely popular. They were essentially two large marbles attached by a sturdy string with a ring in the center. You would put your finger in the ring allowing the marbles or balls to hang below. Here is where the fun starts. The idea was to get the two balls tapping (or clacking if you prefer) against each other by pulling up on the ring lightly. Once you go the hang of it, you could get them going faster and faster until they were smacking each other above and below your hand in a stunning arc, and making the delicious ‘clacking sound’ that I’m sure all parents just loved!!
Clackers were taken off the market in the United States when reports came out of children becoming injured while playing with them. Fairly heavy and fast-moving, and made of hard acrylic plastic, the balls would occasionally shatter upon striking each other. There were also reports of the string breaking and balls flying! They were officially banned in the US in 1985. Strangely, they were never banned here in Australia.
I first learnt about ‘Clackers’ when over visiting a friend’s house. She had some … and I became obsessed! I could not get enough of playing with them. Loved them – even though I would leave with bruises all over my hands and arms! Oh I wanted some of my own so badly, but I never did get any. I wonder why Mum and Dad never came to the party? Perhaps the noise of them might have had something to do with it or maybe they cleverly could see the dangers of the things!
Did you have some clackers when you were a kid or were you like me and envied your friends who had them?
Ciao for now,
Link up here at WOTM or with another of us in the Lovin’ Life Linky team:
Leanne of Deep Fried Fruit
Lyndall of Seize the Day Project
and Jo of And Anyways
NOTE: Kathy of 50 Shades of Age is away on holidays currently cruising the Mediterranean!
27 Comments
Wow taking me back. I had fhem and we called them ker-bangers (glad to see it got last spot on your extensive list). In America we had them with a stick attached for the holding and swinging (no ring). My sister and I both had them and played with them for ages.
So in NYC they were called ker-bangers and had a stick attached rather than a ring! That’s so interesting to know Deb. It wasn’t until I did a bit of research that I discovered they were known by so many different names. They were Click Clacks to me! 🙂
I was a child of the 1960’s and 70’s but I don’t remember clackers. They look like a lot of fun though Min 🙂 xox #TeamLovinLife
I think your parents would have been very, very grateful and happy that you didn’t know of Clackers Lyndall! lol 🙂
I remember seeing them when we came to the Easter Show in Sydney one year. I was never allowed to have them though. The name clacker reminds me of one of my favourite NT Times Headlines…actually no, I best not repeat that here! #TeamLovinLife
I wasn’t allowed to have them either Jo. The name clacker conjures up all sorts of things doesn’t it … which I won’t mention here! haha
I remember getting a set of clackers in my show bag at the Royal Easter Show many many many years ago! I loved them!
Ingrid
http://www.fabulousandfunlife.blogspot.com.au
Lucky you Ingrid – what an awesome show bag that one was! I loved those things. Not sure why – but I did! 🙂
I actually don’t remember them. We’re not too far apart age-wise so perhaps we in regional Qld were left behind on that fad? I remember marbles being a thing on and off over my childhood. And yo-yos. And playing elastics. Sigh… the good old days.
As I said to Lyndall – I’m sure your parents were very happy you didn’t know of Clackers! I was into marbles and yo-yo’s and elastics too, and do you remember knuckles? I was very into knuckles! Yep they were the good old days! Does every generation say that? 😉
I remember click clacks and I can still feel my knuckles hurt just thinking about them – them amount of times they’d whack into the back of my hands in the process of getting them into action was ridiculous. Not sure why they were so popular!
Leanne | cresting the hill
I only got to use them when I visited my friend’s place but when I used them they would bash into my hands all the time. By the end of the day I’d have come out in an interesting array of bruises. Still loved those things though. I’m not sure why either. but that’s the sad part about being an adult – we generally don’t get joy from the simple things that give us joy as children! 🙂
I had Click Clacks. My grandmother bought them for me at the Royal Melbourne Show in 1972. I was 8 and became obsessed by them. Two years ago when my marriage ended and I moved house they went missing. I hope that they turn up in one of my unpacked boxes one day. One ball was yellow, the other green. I still have the brown plastic interlink “Wriggly Snake” they got me that day and my yoyo’s LOL. Thanks for bring back some memories Min.
I hope you find your Click Clacks again Patrick! Good to see someone else called them Click Clacks too. I am amazed that you can recall the colour of yours. I remember those Wriggly Snakes – I loved those and yes I was yo-yo crazy – even knew a few tricks! I love all those lovely childhood memories! 🙂
I never had these, but I did have a lemon twist. Well, I should say my friend had a lemon twist and she allowed me to play with it when she was feeling generous!! Ha ha!
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I have no idea what a lemon twist is Jodie? Is it as fun as a Clacker? lol 😉
Oh I loved these but was never any good!
I could clack those things like a pro – give or take a few bruises here and there! 😉
Pretty sure I remember getting clackers in showbags from the Ekka – loved the sound they made but yes, I think they were a parent’s worst nightmare!
I never got a clacker. Pretty sure my parents made sure of that. I loved the sound they made too! Bahaha As an adult and parent myself now – I know exactly why my parents would not have wanted them in the house! lol
I have vague memories. Not sure that I ever owned one but I’m thinking my younger sister did.
Many of my memories are vague from back then but I sure did like those Click Clacks that I never owned! lol
I still have my clackers on my desk right now, but I really don’t know if I’m allowed to play with in public or at all. I searched on a couple of websites but I can never seem to find if clackers were unbanned or if that’s how it is.
We had these too in London. For us kids, it was sort of like an upgraded version of Conkers the main difference being that you played by yourself rather than against someone as in conkers. I remember that when you got it wrong, it could be quite painful if the balls hit your wrist. I cannot quite remember if they got banned or just lost popularity prior to the next “craze” arriving.
It’s funny how everyone recalls these by a different name! Yes I remember getting many bruises from playing with these, and it hurt when they got you too!
Oh I remember these very vividly … and the bruises on my wrist that came with them. 🙂 I used to wrap a tea towel around my hand and wrist to try and avoid the pain that I knew was coming when the balls went awry.
Hi Laurie – oh yes! I had plenty of bruises too but was never clever enough to think to wrap a tea towel around my hand and wrist. Clever thinking! lol