Top & Whip
Highland Museum of Childhood

Childhood was quite different in the 1930s than it is today! Children had far fewer toys, particularly as the country emerged from the privations and rationing of World War Two. During that time, factories, materials, and labour were all needed for the war effort. Children had to make do with simple distractions.  

This would have been a popular toy at school break times. The wooden ‘top’ was wrapped in the whip which was then pulled away quickly, causing the top to turn. The children would whip their tops to make them keep spinning. It took a lot of practice!