Grown-Up Things Kids Did Back Then That Would Cause Outrage Now

Growing up in the 1950s and 60s was a different world; one with far fewer safety regulations and helicopter parents. While we somehow survived these experiences, looking back at some of the things we did as kids makes us realize just how much times have changed. Here’s a look at some common childhood activities from our era that would cause serious concern today.

1. Sitting in the Front Seat

Long before car seat laws, kids would regularly ride in the front seat – sometimes even sitting on Mom’s lap while she drove. Seatbelts were optional if the car even had them, and we’d often lie across the back window ledge on long trips. The idea of a child anywhere but properly restrained in the back seat is unthinkable now.

2. Buying Cigarettes for Parents

It was completely normal to walk to the corner store with a note from Mom or Dad to buy their cigarettes. The shopkeeper would read the note, hand over the pack, and send us on our way. Some stores would even sell to kids without a note if they knew the family. The idea of sending a child to buy tobacco products today is unthinkable.

3. Playing With Lawn Darts

Lawn darts were essentially giant metal spikes with fins that we’d toss into the air, aiming for plastic rings on the ground. These dangerous projectiles were marketed as a family game until they were banned in 1988. We’d play for hours, never considering how one missthrow could result in serious injury.

4. Wandering the Neighborhood Unsupervised

The only rule was “be home when the street lights come on.” We’d leave after breakfast and spend the entire day roaming the neighborhood, playing at construction sites, exploring the woods, and visiting friends. No cell phones, no tracking devices, just the freedom to discover our world on our own terms.

5. Riding Bikes Without Helmets

Bicycle helmets weren’t even a consideration back then. We’d zip down steep hills, build rickety ramps for jumping, and cruise the streets with no protective gear whatsoever. The wind in our hair was part of the experience, and the occasional scrape or bruise was just part of growing up.

6. Handling Fireworks

Every Fourth of July, kids would help set up and light fireworks with minimal adult supervision. We’d hold sparklers, throw snappers, and sometimes even handle the bigger stuff. The concept of children anywhere near fireworks today would horrify most modern parents.

7. Riding in the Back of Pickup Trucks

This was practically a rite of passage for kids in rural and suburban areas. We’d pile into the back of Dad’s pickup truck, sitting on the wheel wells or leaning against the cab, wind whipping through our hair as we cruised down country roads. No seatbelts, no safety rails – just the open air and the thrill of the ride. Today, this would result in immediate calls to child protective services.

8. Making Prank Phone Calls

Before caller ID and \*69, making prank calls was a favorite pastime. We’d spend hours calling random numbers, asking if their refrigerator was running or if they had Prince Albert in a can. What was once considered harmless fun would now be considered harassment and could result in serious consequences.

9. Walking to School Alone

Even first-graders would walk to school by themselves or with siblings, often crossing busy streets and walking considerable distances. Parents didn’t think twice about it – it was just what everyone did. Today, letting a young child walk to school alone could result in a visit from social services.

10. Drinking from Garden Hoses

When we were thirsty from playing outside, we’d drink straight from the garden hose without a second thought. No one worried about bacteria, lead, or other contaminants. Now we know better about the dangers lurking in hose water, but back then it was as normal as could be.

11. Babysitting at Age 11 or 12

Pre-teens regularly watched younger siblings and neighborhood kids, sometimes even infants. We’d be responsible for feeding them, putting them to bed, and handling any emergencies with just a neighbor’s phone number as backup. The idea of leaving children in charge of other children today would be considered negligent.

12. Using Chemistry Sets With Real Chemicals

Chemistry sets from the 1950s and 1960s contained genuine chemicals and compounds that could be hazardous or explosive. We’d conduct experiments in our bedrooms, mixing substances that would never be allowed in children’s toys today. These weren’t watered-down versions – they were real chemistry sets with real risks.

13. Working Manual Cash Registers at Age 13

Many of us started working informal jobs at local stores while still in middle school. We’d operate heavy manual cash registers, handle money, and serve customers without any formal training or work permits. The responsibility helped us grow up, but today’s labor laws would never allow such young workers.

14. BB Gun Wars

Groups of kids would engage in BB gun battles in vacant lots or wooded areas, often with minimal eye protection, if any at all. We’d set up forts and have elaborate battles that could last hours. The mere mention of children playing with BB guns today would cause immediate alarm and likely police involvement.

15. Mercury Play

When a thermometer broke, we’d play with the mercury, rolling it around in our hands and watching it split and reform. Teachers would even demonstrate mercury properties in science class. Now we know the severe dangers of mercury exposure, but back then, it was treated like a fascinating toy.

16. Hitchhiking to Town

Teenagers regularly hitchhiked to get around, especially in rural areas. It was seen as a perfectly acceptable way to get to the movies or the swimming hole when you couldn’t drive yet. Parents rarely worried, and picking up young hitchhikers was considered a community courtesy rather than a risk.