As a child, I would sit on the street in front of my house, staring at the sky, and think, “how time passes so slowly, if only I could grow up faster!” In the blink of an eye, I have grown up!
I was born in the generation after the 00s, making up the oldest groups of people. Our days of playing are over. Some of us may be struggling for studies, running for work, and worrying about livelihood – gradually taking up more responsibilities as we get older.
Whenever I take a moment to catch my breath in my spare time, a little thought passes through my mind, “Childhood is so beautiful, it would be great if I could go back in time!” Do you feel the same as I do?
Childhood memories, in my opinion, were the most colourful times in our lives. Childhood memories include the endless giggles, the snacks we ate as kids, and the games we played with our friends, which created precious memories in our lives. So here are some of the childhood snacks and games we grew up with as Malaysians for you to reminisce about the good old days!
Wheel Crackers
Image from Freepik
Also known as potato crackers, they are named ‘wheel crackers’ because they resemble thin, circular wheels. This lightweight snack has a light taste with a tinge of saltiness and can be addictive to chew. They often have a crispy texture and can be plain or flavored with various seasonings or toppings.
Sugus
Image from teonghengtrading
So famous that even the uncle who drove buses would keep them on hand to tame rowdy children. They come in various flavors, such as strawberry, lemon, orange, and raspberry, and are often sold in small, individually wrapped pieces. Sugus candies are often enjoyed as a sweet snack, particularly by children.
Ice Lollies
Image from Shutterstock / Paul Orr
Ice lollies, also known as popsicles, are frozen treats served on a stick made from fruit juice, sugar, and water. They are a popular summertime snack, especially for children. They used to cost only RM0.10! Ice lollies can be made at home or purchased pre-made from a store. They are a refreshing and tasty way to cool down on a hot day.
Popo Fish Muruku
Image from Shoppe
Also identified by the cute baby mascot, the Popo Fish Muruku remains a tasty tidbit enjoyed by Malaysians of all ages. It is a type of Muruku, a savory snack made from rice flour and spices, that is shaped into a fish shape and fried until crispy. Popo Fish Muruku is usually enjoyed as a snack on its own or as part of a larger snack platter when people are watching a movie or having dinner.
Er Duo Bing
Image from Shopee
Chinese people enjoy Er Duo Bing as a sweet, chewy snack. It’s available in many Chinese snack shops and street markets. These cookies, which resemble pigs’ ears – or, according to some – human ears, have a distinct smell. These cookies are firm, chewy, and delicious.
You definitely grew up in Malaysia if you played these games when you were kids!
Congkak
Image from syurga
Congkak is a traditional Malay game that children often play indoors or in competitions. Two players compete to collect the most seeds in their respective warehouses. An efficient player can score more points and win the game if he can mentally calculate some steps ahead of time.
Eraser battle
Image from YouTube
I remember spending a lot of money on erasers when I was a kid. To be honest, most of it wasn’t because I was “studying hard”. I bought a lot of erasers just to play games. Yes, you guessed it, Eraser battle! The rules are simple: to win, you just simply flip the erasers until one of them lands on your opponent’s eraser. Then, the winner can collect the spoils of the “war” by keeping the loser’s eraser.
Paper Fortune Teller
Image from YouTube
We all made this when we were young and would ask it to “predict” our future. Usually, you would choose the colour and number on the outside of the fortune teller and then follow a series of steps to turn the fortune teller on or off. It’s like the piece of paper was really psychic even when it was randomly written by ourselves…
Masak-Masak
Image from Carousell Malaysia
Mini plastic cutlery, pots and pans, and even plastic fruit and vegetables are sold. When I was a child, I would watch my parents cook and imagine that I could also “show my ambitions” in the kitchen. I’m sure every child has thought about this while craving for a good meal.
Electronic Brick Game Console
Image form Ubuy Malaysia
I also remember it being one of the greatest gifts and the best electronic gadget to kill boredom. If anyone had one when they were young, they would be the envy of their classmates and it wouldn’t take long for them to become popular in school. A small LCD screen with buttons can play several games, such as classic Tetris, pixel racing games, shooting, etc.
When we revisit these dusty fragments, the vivid images of the past will bring both a nostalgic smile and a faint melancholy. But for now, it’s time for us to keep on working.
