Long before the days of pop culture and the glitz and glam of television, American families had to think of even more creative ways to bond and enjoy one another’s company. The 1950s and earlier put parent and child together and involved the whole family in activities that made everybody feel included. Let’s take a look at some activities that families would do together before the norm of silence in front of a television.
Table of Contents
1. Radio Shows and Storytelling
Most families would sit together in front of the radio and share the experience of “The Shadow,” “The Lone Ranger,” and similar shows. They would have imagined the story unfold as they ate popcorn and snacks while seated in chairs. They were also welcomed to share their personal stories and experiences with the rest of the family.
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2. Board Game Nights
Every American family most likely also owned a board game and had their favorites. Monopoly games could extend over multiple days while Scrabble marathons could help build vocabulary for all of the participants. The family kitchen table or any table would become the command center for the game and homemade snacks would complete the atmosphere of friendly competition.
3. Card Games and Bridge Clubs
Household card games, such as bridge, also formed serious competition and would include several houses in the neighborhood. Children would easily learn games like Go Fish and Old Maid while the adults played canasta and poker. The whole neighborhood came for evening card parties that included refreshments and lively conversation, so these gatherings.
4. Reading Circles
Parents would take turns reading aloud from a story during family reading hour. This created suspense for the next night’s story because parents would often choose quit their reading at the most exciting part. This tradition helped foster a lifelong love of reading to the children.
5. Home Musicales
During this time, owning a piano was not uncommon. Singing along to your family members playing was also common. Children would perform for their family and friends while taking music lessons, and children would perform at family gatherings too. These informal concerts would feature everything from classical pieces to contemporary songs, and would often have family members play along different instruments.
6. Hobby Crafts
Families would do model trains and crafts together. Their homes would become workshops and parents would teach their children skills that would help them the rest of their lives. These hobby sessions resulted in handmade items and treasured memories.
7. Backyard Games
Evening games of croquet, badminton, and horseshoes would take place in family backyards. Neighbors would often join in these games that would last until it got dark. Friendly competition and refreshments were common at weekend tournaments.
8. Puzzle Nights
Families would leave a card table in a corner of the room and set up a puzzle there. Everyone who passed by would add to the puzzle, making it a point of pride to finish complex puzzles.
9. Amateur Theater
Families would create their own neighborhood events by putting on variety shows in their backyards or living rooms. While parents would help direct the children’s shows, the children would write the scripts and make the costumes. Friends would be invited to attend these fun shows.
10. Scrapbooking and Photo Albums
Photo organizing and memory building books created valuable family history heirlooms. Family storytelling is a shared experience and these albums treasured memories.
11. Social Clubs and Community Events
Potluck food, talent shows, and group activities were social strengths of the community and the club. These gatherings provided entertainment.
12. Drive-In Movies
Drive-in movies were a unique family experience that involved a screen. Parents would pack the car with kids in their pajamas, and bring homemade snacks to enjoy a movie under the stars. These outings became special family traditions that created lasting memories.
