Cape Town -
There is no age limit on being a child, and many of the things that brought us pleasure when we were small can still do so.
Like colouring-in. This is fast becoming a popular global trend for grown-ups. “The benefits of colouring can stimulate your creativity, promote relaxation and increase the release of serotonin. Colouring-in within the lines helps you feel safe. This pastime provides the opportunity to escape reality while providing both body and mind time to relax and heal,” says psychologist Dr ST Potgieter.
Someone who knows this better than most is artist Tanya O’Connor, who has published books of her artwork for us to colour. “I started drawing when I was five as a pastime. When I turned 11 my mom was diagnosed with bipolar depression. Drawing pictures and colouring them in was my therapy,” she says. “After my first book was published and reached No 4 on the bestseller list of books in South Africa, I realised even more how much this very simple therapy works.
“I have had countless e-mails, inbox messages on social media and responses regarding the therapeutic value of colouring-in. It gives escape from a complicated life… between the pages of my books there are no rules, you can do anything you want there. Where would you find that in life?” she says.
O’Connor has published books in Afrikaans, and more recently one in English. Published by Naledi, R10 from the sale of every copy of Colour Brings Hope is being donated to Cansa (Cancer Association of South Africa).
I love my colouring in books and O’Connor’s artwork, and have spent many happy hours with them, listening to music, drinking wine, and letting my mind empty of all the daily trivia and stress.
When I visited the new Hamleys toy store at the V&A Waterfront the other day, I was thrilled to find I could feed my obsession for finding even more pencil crayons. One can never have too many.
If you’ve been to Hamleys in London you’ll probably find our local one to be a bit underwhelming at first, but it turned out to be lots of fun.
We behaved like very large children, played with all the toys on display (as well as demanding the staff put batteries into a very cute fluffy pink pig that snorts and walks around), posed for photos with Hamley and Harriet Bear, and marvelled at how trailer trashy Barbie’s wardrobe has become.
Besides the beautiful pencil crayons in 36 colours, I impulsively bought a bag of teeny tiny building blocks which can allegedly be assembled into a teeny tiny pink flamingo. I don’t think I can drink wine when I eventually tackle that one.
Afterwards we went for hot dogs and ridiculously expensive ice-cream dessert at Häagen-Dazs, which was so rich it made me feel ill for the rest of the day. I don’t remember it being like that when I was a kid but it serves me right for being greedy.
Hamleys is not only for little ones; there are some very adult toys like model cars but there’s nothing wrong with being childish either. And it’s not just a toy shop – there are free activities every day, from face painting to arts, crafts, and storytelling. The staff have the best jobs because they get to play with toys all day long, and bring joy to the world, and they didn’t judge us at all.
l Hamleys is in Kings Warehouse at the V&A Waterfront. Telephone 021 418 2927 or go to www.hamleys.co.za for more information.
Weekend Argus