There wasn't a PlayStation or Xbox 360 in sight and Sponge Bob Square Pants wasn't mentioned all morning. Tamash Lal visited Stroud's Museum in the Park and discovered how children are being introduced to toys and games from the past as part of a new venture.

THEY are used to using computers, watching DVDs with CGI technology and listening to music on the latest MP3 players.

So you might assume a group of primary schoolchildren wouldn't exactly be enthralled by the humble spinning top or a lead soldier. But you'd be wrong.

Their faces light up and there is plenty of 'oohhing' and 'aahhing' up as these toys from simpler times are handed out at the Museum in the Park during a new schools education programme.

Museum staff worked with teachers from Park Junior School in Stonehouse to create activities which fit in with key areas of the national curriculum.

When I visited last week, pupils from Cashes Green Primary School were learning how they would have enjoyed themselves had they been born several decades ago.

Besides playing with diablos, the ball-and-cup, marbles, toy cars and cowboys and Indians, they also did drawings and learned traditional playground games their grandparents would have enjoyed like the Farmer's In His Den.

Another game was called Pick up Stick and involved carefully picking up small sticks from a pile thrown on the floor without disturbing any others.

Jean Hardman, who teaches at Park Junior, was one of those involved in creating the programme, called Toys and Games from the Past.

"The idea was that it should be informative but enjoyable at the same time," she said.

"It helps with language development and also encourages an interest in history and in finding out about what is going on at the museum.

"It has been especially tailored to link in with Key Stage 1 and 2." So what did the visitors think?

"I normally play with Lego," said energetic six-year-old Jesse Wilson.

"But today I really liked the skipping and other games because everybody got involved."

Meanwhile Ashley Pearce, also six, was deftly spinning a yo-yo.

"I've got one at home and I like to count how many I can do," he said.

"I'm up to 20 at the moment."

Their teacher Claire White was having almost as much fun as the children.

She said the toys are a fun way to help the learning process.

"It helps their literacy skills and they also learn about science because they are finding out about the different materials the toys are made of," she said.

"I've never seen them play playground games like the Farmer's In His Den.

"It would be good if they started playing them, they are a good way to exercise."

* Schools wanting to arrange a visit can call the museum on 01453 763394.