Playschool windows were a staple of BBC children’s programming in the 1960s and 70s. They were a sight to behold and a great way for children to see the world beyond their doorstep.

What windows were in Play School?

The show featured songs, dances, dressing up, pets and a plethora of films of the outside world. It was a hit around the world and spawned many spin-offs.

Aside from the aforementioned television programming, the most notable aspect of Play School was the toys it spawned. Toys like Humpty Dumpty, Big Ted and Little Ted and ragdoll Jemima are still in use today.

Play School was a big hit in Australia, and has been a regular weekday viewing pleasure for children and their families for over 45 years. The show has undergone several changes during that time, as well as a number of innovations to improve the experience for all involved.

One of the most impressive parts of the show was the ‘windows’ that were featured in some of the more memorable episodes. In the early days of the show, these were made up from a variety of plastic materials including plastic sheets and papier-moché. They are now a part of the Museum’s collection and are a great example of the type of relics that make up our collections.

The best thing about these funky bits of plastic is that they can be reused for another episode of the show. They also prove to be a useful teaching tool for our staff who often use them when introducing new technologies or processes to our young audiences.