If you were born in Finland in the 1930's or 1940's, you lived through the Winter War and Continuation War. War was the reality a child grew into. One had to endure uncertainty, fear, need, losing a home or separation from parents. Finnish children whose families have fled war elsewhere in the world have similar experiences from more recent decades.

Wartime rationing brought about a shortage of materials, so toys were invented from empty spools of thread, matchboxes, pieces of scrap wood or natural materials. Fathers sent home self-made toys such as wooden trucks and doll’s beds from the front. Paper yarn and fabrics replaced textiles in toys. Toys sometimes “disappeared” before Christmas only to be brought back by Santa fully repaired; dolls with new clothes and trucks with new wooden tires.

Outdoor games were free fun. Skiing and sledding during the winter, and ball-games, tag and whatever came to mind in the summer. A downside was the blackout regulations in bigger cities chasing children home early. Board games could lift the family’s spirits on long dark evenings indoors.