Childhood in Edmonton: Yo-yo's and bolo bats: A story of our toys in the 1930s, by Phyllis Ellis

In the 1930s, not all streets in Edmonton were paved or even gravelled, and, while some districts had paved sidewalks, others had wooden sidewalks or none at all.


After the long winter was over but streets were still muddy, sunshine and warm temperatures beckoned us outdoors and, on orders from our mothers to stay out of the mud puddles, we had to find activities to fit in. Enter marbles, jacks, skipping ropes, hop-scotch, yo-yos and bolo bats.


For marbles, we’d draw the circle wherever there was dry dirt to do so. This was one game both boys and girls played. However, boys never played jacks or hopscotch and seldom skipped rope, although if they had nothing else to do they might reluctantly turn the rope for the girls.


When it came to yo-yos and bolo bats, the boys outshone us even though we all participated. At the local confectionery where these items were sold, a contest would be held each spring to find the “experts.”


With our yo-yos in hand, we’d “walk the dog”, “rock-the-baby” or go “round the world” and several other tricks for which the winner would receive a new yo-yo and the runners up some free strings.


Bolo bats came in two models: the ten cent model was made of 3-ply wood and unpainted with the Bo Lo trademark stencilled on the back in red, or the deluxe 25¢ model was made of 6-ply wood, painted red with the trademark stencilled in white. Those who had the red ones were the envy of those who didn’t. After all, they were two and a half times more expensive!


My brother excelled at both yo-yo and Bo Lo tricks. One year he won the grand championship and proudly wore the prize of a blue sleeveless vest with a felt Bo Lo trademark emblazoned on the front. Other participants would receive new elastics or sponge rubber balls to attach to the bat. Wearing the vest advertised you were a champion.


What simple pleasures!