For a few dollars, I bought a childhood game from the op-shop. Watching my kids play felt like time had folded in on itself

For a few dollars, I bought a childhood game from the op-shop. Watching my kids play felt like time had folded in on itself

For a few dollars, I bought a childhood game from the op-shop. Watching my kids play felt like time had folded in on itself

Shadi Khan Saif

November, 06, 2025

Originally Published Here

Summary

The author recalls working in retail before rediscovering a childhood carrom board in a Melbourne op-shop, sparking memories of growing up in Karachi. Carrom, a traditional South Asian tabletop game, shaped lessons in patience, teamwork, and community through shared play with family and neighbours. The board’s textures and sounds evoke evenings spent playing by candlelight during power outages. Bringing the board home allows the author’s children to experience the same joy, free from screens. The piece reflects on how thrift shops preserve personal histories, connecting generations through reused objects and shared stories.

Reference

Saif, S. K. (2025, November 6). For a few dollars, I bought a childhood game from the op-shop. Watching my kids play felt like time had folded in on itself. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/nov/06/carrom-board-tabletop-game-simple-joy-childhood