Here are 14 Aberdeen childhood favourites that anyone growing up in the early 90s is guaranteed to have done at some point in their youth.
If you have any you think we’ve missed or would like to see added, leave your favourite Aberdeen memories in the comment section below, and don’t forget to vote for your favourite at the end!
1) Ramboland and the biggest slide you’d ever seen!
Ramboland at Codonas was the king of children’s activities. You had to be smaller than the cardboard man outside the indoor playground and attendants showed no mercy to your friends who didn’t make the cut.
If you were brave enough you went straight for the Free Fall slide.
2) Going to see The Singing Kettle at His Majesty’s Theatre
Spout, handle, lid of metal, what’s inside the siiiiiiiiiiiiinging kettle?!?
You pretty much knew the lyrics to every song and frankly you’re devastated that Archie and Cilla are no longer running the ship.
You can however catch the new gang at His Majesty’s Theatre at the end of this month…
3) Skating at the skateboard ramp in Westburn Park
The 90s was all about long hair and getting tricky with the skateboard. The skate ramp at Westburn Park was the perfect place to fashion both.
4) Riding the ducks at Westburn Park
While feeding the ducks is a popular pastime elsewhere in the country, riding the ducks at Westburn Park was what was done in Aberdeen.
There was always one that was a different colour to the rest of them. Did anyone else ever notice that?
5) Going head-first down the big slides at Duthie Park
The big slides at Duthie Park had you racing your friends from dawn until dusk. You may have came flying off at many an angle and suffered a few scrapes, but it was totally worth it.
6) Whizzing down the flumes at the Beach Leisure Centre
The flumes. Not much else needs to be said here. There was no doubt always one slide you were scared to go on, but eventually you plucked up the courage to try it out.
And it was awesome.
7) Meeting your favourite storybook characters at Storybook Glen
Probably one of your first Aberdeen memories. Storybook Glen had every character from children’s books imaginable. There was also a play park, but Humpty Dumpty was the main event.
8) Getting lost in the maze at Hazlehead park
Where any of you ever late home because you were completely lost in the maze at Hazlehead Park? Thought so.
This maze was endless and had a dead end at every turn – unless you cheated and crawled between the hedgerows to the middle.
9) Your best friend’s birthday party at Koko’s
Koko’s was hidden away in an old church and was essentially another indoor playground that kept kids amused for hours with ball pits and climbing ropes.
But you mostly went there for birthday parties where Koko the clown made an appearance in honour of the birthday boy or girl.
Oh, and don’t forget the mirror maze.
10) Learning about science at Satrosphere
It’s guaranteed you went here on a school trip during you primary age years.
It was that much of a thing, schools from all over the country even made the journey to experience the scientific magic.
Do you remember the poo-ing sheep that showed you how animals’ bodies worked?
11) Chatting to Spike, the talking cactus at Duthie Park
Spike was sadly out of action for 12 years but was revived in 2011 after a social media campaign.
He definitely isn’t the most orthodox cactus, but he certainly attracted crowds.
12) Playing laser tag and bowling at Megabowl on George Street
Before paintball became a thing, it was all about laser tag, which was much less painful than paintball.
This old school game was another birthday-treat-kind-of-outing that had you zap opposing team members with you laser gun.
It was usually followed by a round of bowling and a Wimpy burger.
13) Sunning yourself at Stonehaven Open Air Pool
On the rare occasion that the sun came out, everyone headed to Stonehaven Open Air Pool.
In fact, the weather didn’t really matter. So long as you didn’t mind the cold this pool was, and still is, the paradise of the north-east.
14) Going for a boogie at Links Ice Rink
Ice skating has always been a standard activity. But ice discos were something that little bit more special.
Here you could show off your twirls to your pals and skate to cheesy anthems while the rink was lit by a disco ball.
They still take place on Friday evenings if you’re feeling nostalgic.