Do you remember when, as a child, how you could turn a cubby hole behind a hedge into a secret clubhouse or how a garage and some empty boxes from the kitchen could be a store? Hours and hours were spent in the creating; it never was as much fun when completed.
Today, when the children’s play oft times appears so sophisticated, it is refreshing to find our modern children engrossed in a similar creative play. For the past several months, one neighborhood of children has been building "the place.” They call themselves the Brick Builders Club. Ten children, ranging in age from 13 to three, have built quite a structure. It all started one lonely Sunday afternoon when six children had nothing to do. It was something to do.
With a pile of bricks available, the original structure was a round room, about five feet in diameter; the walls stand about two feet tall. They made the floor by placing bricks side by side. Then they covered the bricks with sand, stomped it to pack it tight and swept it clean. The sand packed joints kept the floor steady.
A circular patio was added next. With so many architects and builders, the design is free flowing and "the place” winds around the pine trees. In all, there is about 120 square feet of house - completely floored and walled. It is also outfitted with brick seats and a brick trash container. A crayon printed sign reads, “Trash Can. Please don’t be a Litter Bug!”
Day in, day out, children in groups of twos or threes worked on the construction. It was swept clean daily. Parents and neighbors have stopped to see the work; it is something to see.
During the construction, club meetings were held regularly on site; officers were elected, including a “toter” - the youngest toted bricks; books were read; dolls were housed there; refreshments were served; and football strategies were planned. But once the construction appeared completed, interest slackened. Lately, only the youngest and his friends use "the place.”
There is still a pile of bricks, room for more expansion, plenty of trees around which to wind, and an active, creative bunch of kids. And, there will be another lonely Sunday afternoon with nothing to do.
That’s all it takes. It’s child’s play.
1972
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