Before playdates were scheduled and activities were organized, children had complete freedom to do anything they wanted after school. The time after the last school bell rang and before dinner was filled with fun activities that shaped years of childhood, but these activities have for the most part faded into the past. Here are some activities that kids are most likely to never have the chance to do.
Table of Contents
- 1 1. Building Forts in Vacant Lots
- 2 2. Pickup Baseball Games
- 3 3. Collecting Pop Bottles for Refunds
- 4 4. Door-to-Door Sales
- 5 5. Building Go-Karts
- 6 6. Bike Repair Clubs
- 7 7. Paper Routes
- 8 8. Creek Exploration
- 9 9. Neighborhood Talent Shows
- 10 10. Trading Card Meetings
- 11 11. CB Radio Clubs
- 12 12. Marble Tournaments
- 13 13. Lawn Mowing Businesses
- 14 14. Model Building Clubs
- 15 15. Treehouse Construction
- 16 16. Phone Booth Stuffing
1. Building Forts in Vacant Lots
In every neighborhood, there would always be a vacant lot where children could use their creativity to make anything they wanted. Children could create a fort using some old wood they found in the bushes. With all the creativity in the world they were able to use as many pieces of wood, nails, and screws they could find to make the most elaborate structure without any guidance from an adult.
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2. Pickup Baseball Games
As soon as there were enough kids at the park, a baseball game would start. Players formed teams at random. If there were not enough players to cover the bases, they just substituted players as they rotated out. Everyone had their own glove, and they all loved the game.
3. Collecting Pop Bottles for Refunds
To get candy from the corner store, children would pick up empty soda bottles that had been thrown away. Instead of getting in trouble for littering, they got a few cents for every bottle they found which also taught them the importance of recycling.
4. Door-to-Door Sales
Children would do door to door sales to make money for their school clubs by selling greeting cards or even seeds. This also built confidence in children as they spoke to their neighbors.
5. Building Go-Karts
Kids built their own go karts from old wagon wheels, scrap wood, and rope steering, braking, and steering systems. Of course there were almost no safety features, but they learned valuable engineering skills as they powered their creations by gravity.
6. Bike Repair Clubs
In a workshop like their backyard, a group of children would sit down and build their bikes together. They would build bikes, exchange knowledge, and develop a basic understanding of the mechanics involved. These shops created self-sufficient bikers, as well as future mechanics.
7. Paper Routes
Paper delivery was often one of the first jobs that kids would take on. They learn responsibility, time management, and weather independence when delivering the newspaper in the afternoons, as payment had to be collected from the customers.
8. Creek Exploration
Kids would explore the local creeks for wilderness adventures. They caught crawdads, and built dams as they followed the flow of the water. These explorations created an appreciation for the environment, as well as developing the independence of children.
9. Neighborhood Talent Shows
Backyard shows became popular. Children would perform for pennies and charge an entrance fee to watch shows that showcased everything from magic tricks to pop song lip syncing.
10. Trading Card Meetings
The card trading group that formed from their baseball cards would meet and trade. Complicated negotiations took place, teaching the kids the value of trade, and invaluable negotiation skills.
11. CB Radio Clubs
Group of kids would hang around CB radios to talk with truckers. This taught kids about contact etiquette, as well as the use of radio communication. The use of handles and special codes made it feel like a secret society.
12. Marble Tournaments
Marble games played on the playground had very serious consequences and rules. Impressive collections could be constructed by winners but tough lessons about risk were taught to the losers. Games like these taught not only strategy and hand-eye coordination but also taught how to deal with losing and winning.
13. Lawn Mowing Businesses
Kids had mowing routes in the neighborhood. This taught them basic skills in entrepreneurship including mowing the lawn, maintaining equipment, customer service, and scheduling. Many future business owners got their start behind a push mower.
14. Model Building Clubs
The gathering of kids to build and compare models of cars, planes, and ships taught them craftsmanship and social skills. This activity provided focus and patience which are very valuable life skills.
15. Treehouse Construction
Kids would constantly build and improve their treehouse. These projects taught them basic construction and project management skills. Every change or improvement was a lesson in physics and engineering.
16. Phone Booth Stuffing
After school, kids would try to fit as many kids as they could into a phone booth. This activity taught them teamwork from all the coordination needed. They also had to problem solve to break the record from the previous group.
