The 1960s are known for many things in the history books. It was the decade of the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, Woodstock and many other historically significant events. However, it was a much simpler time for kids who grew up during the 1960s. It was long before the Internet and 24-hour connectivity. As a result, youngsters had no choice but to get creative and find ways to have fun in their spare time.
Let’s dive deep into 1960s nostalgia and explore some of the most memorable kid activities of the era.
1. Riding a Bike Just About Everywhere
If there’s one thing ’60s kids knew how to do, it was get around! Biking was the mode of transportation back then. Whether it was a short ride down the street or a longer trek to a town center, you’d always see kids zooming on the sidewalks. They were a staple everywhere you went, and kids would leave their rides locked up on whatever rack or light pole was available.
2. Pulling Harmless Pranks
What else should a kid do with their time than have a little fun at someone else’s expense? Practical jokes and pranks were common back in the ’60s. Of course, they were all harmless, and no one got heart. A classic from the era is “Ding Dong Ditch.” Kids would meander to the front door of the neighbor they disliked most, ring the doorbell and high-tail it out of there. It’s a fun way to annoy adults in the era and wreak havoc on the neighborhood before dinnertime!
3. Spending Hours Playing Outdoor Games
The outdoor games of the ’60s were second to none! Spending time outdoors was how kids spent their days, and there were plenty of ways to make things fun. You’d see youngsters playing simple games on the sidewalk, like Hopscotch, jacks or marbles. If a field was nearby, you’d see them playing kickball, tag or kingpin. Sometimes, kids simply sit on the grass and play pointless clapping games to pass the time.
4. Reading Comic Books
Before smartphones and social media, comics were the ultimate form of entertainment for kids! Priced at a mere 10 cents, these little books featured brightly colored characters and told stories with tons of action. Some of today’s most iconic comic book characters became popular in the ’60s. Whether it was the “House of Mystery” or “The Amazing Spider-Man” comics, kids loved lining up to buy the next edition.
5. Fort-Building in the Middle of Nowhere
In the ’60s, the home was for nothing more than sleeping and eating. Kids often spent their days hanging out at forts they built in the most random locations. For some, it was in their backyard. However, friends would usually pick an abandoned lot in the neighborhood or some nearby woods to build a fort, using anything and everything they could find to fashion a structure they could call their own. If you were lucky enough, you’d build a treehouse. However, even a modest fort in the woods made from fallen tree limbs was paradise enough!
6. Jamming Out to Vinyl Records
Vinyl records are experiencing a resurgence these days, but they were all kids had in the ’60s. Nothing beats the memory of dusting off your parents’ old records, watching that vinyl spin and listening to some great tunes. Of course, kids had their own music idols, too. Records for bands like The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Monkees and more had kids singing at the top of their lungs!
7. Seeing the World Through View-Masters
View-Masters were small stereoscope devices that gave you a window into another world. The devices were simple, sporting reels full of images. Shine the View-Master towards the like, look through the lenses and enjoy a cool 3D image. There were reels for everything from comic book characters to educational content. They were the coolest way to learn about the planet, and collecting reels is a great memory for many children of the ‘60s.
8. Watching Iconic Black-and-White TV
Color TV grew in popularity during the mid-1960s, but for the average family, standard black-and-white was all that was available. However, that didn’t stop kids from consuming some great media. There was no shortage of great shows from this era, but nothing beat Saturday morning cartoons like “The Jetsons,” “Looney Tunes,” and “The Flintstones.”
9. Becoming an Etch-a-Sketch Artist
Is there a more iconic toy of the ’60s than the Etch a Sketch? This toy debuted during the holiday season of 1960 and became a staple in homes worldwide. Instead of using paper and pen, kids could now create masterpieces on an erasable surface using nothing but the turn of a knob. Kids would spend hours crafting artwork, only for a parent or younger sibling to shake the toy and cause the piece to get lost forever!
10. Having Fun with the Original Board Games
Board games were huge in the 1960s. This was a time before computers and video games, so board games were a great way to dive into a new world, get competitive and have fun. Some of the most popular titles to debut around this time are all-time classics today. We’re talking about games like Twister, Ker-Plunk, Yahtzee, The Game of Life and more.
11. Daydreaming
Finally, we have the ultimate childhood activity: Daydreaming. Kids spent a lot of time finding ways to pass the time, and when every other activity didn’t scratch that itch, many would just lie on the ground, stare up at the sky and daydream. Some would tell stories, while others would use their imaginations to find shapes in the clouds. It was a simple activity, but some fond memories came from daydreaming with friends on a bright, sunny afternoon.
What Do You Remember from Childhood Fun in the 1960s?
The 1960s were a special time, and it feels like a totally different world by today’s standards. Everything was different. Kids didn’t have a computer to spend hours on or social media to distract them. You had to figure out how to have fun on your own! This list is just a small glimpse of what it was like to be a kid back then, but there are plenty more great activities children of the ’60s keep locked away in their memories.