Lisa O
Growing up in the 1960s was different from today. There were no smartphones, no streaming, and no instant everything. Kids rode their bikes everywhere, families gathered around the TV for their favorite shows, and a few coins could buy a bag full of candy. If you were a kid back then, these little things made up everyday life.
Saturday Morning Cartoons
There was no 24/7 kids’ programming, so Saturday mornings were the time to watch cartoons. You’d wake up early, grab a bowl of cereal, and park in front of the TV for hours. Shows like The Flintstones, Looney Tunes, and Scooby-Doo (our favorite) made every weekend special for kids. And if you missed an episode, there was no rewatching like it is with Netflix—just the long wait for next week.
Riding Bikes Everywhere
Kids in the 60s didn’t text or call their friends as they had no phones like we do today. You just hopped on your bike (your bff) and rode around until you found them. No helmets, no tracking apps, just pure freedom. You’d race down the street pop wheelies or clip playing cards to the spokes to make it sound like a motorcycle. Your bike was everything.
Drive-In Theaters
You couldn’t watch movies in a theater. Drive-ins were the place to be in the past. You’d pull up in your car, grab your favorite snacks, and watch a movie under the stars. If you were a kid, you might be in pajamas in the backseat, and most of the time, you’ll fall asleep before the movie even ends.
Record Players and 45s
You couldn’t just tap a screen to play music in the past. There was no Spotify or YouTube back then. If you wanted to hear your favorite song, you had to put a record on the turntable, then place the needle on the groove and hear little crackles before the music started. If you had a 45 single, you could flip it over and see what song was waiting on the B-side.
Watching TV on a Tiny Screen
TVs weren’t big and flat like today. Most families had small black-and-white sets with antennas that needed adjusting to get a clear picture. Sometimes, the signal got fuzzy, and you had to move the rabbit ears around to fix it. Color TVs were a luxury, and not every show was in color. If you had one, you were lucky.
The Smell of Freshly Printed Newspapers
Before the internet and smartphones were popular, people got their daily news from newspapers. Every single morning, a rolled-up paper hit the doorstep with a solid thud (you could literally hear it from your front door). Most people read it over breakfast to catch up on what was happening before heading to the office.
Playing Outside Until the Streetlights Came On
Kids in the 60s spent most of their free time outside. Because there were no video games or endless TV channels to keep them indoors, you’d play tag, climb trees, or ride bikes all day. The only rule was to be home when the streetlights turned on—a universal signal that playtime was over and it was time to go back.
Writing Letters by Hand
People wrote letters to keep in touch because emails and Instagram DMs were not a thing of the past. You had to grab a pen, sit down, and carefully put your thoughts on paper in neat writing. Then mail it and wait days or even weeks to receive a letter as a reply. Some people even had fancy stationery to make their letters look extra special.
Penny Candy at the Corner Store
A little pocket change could get you a whole bag of candy (yes, we’re talking about a bag) in the past. Corner stores had big glass jars filled with all kinds of treats. You had the option to pick out your favorites—one piece at a time. The shopkeeper would scoop them all into a small paper bag, and that’s it. You’ll walk away with a bag full of sweets.
Listening to the Radio for Your Favorite Songs
There was no streaming or skipping songs back then. If you wanted to hear your favorite track, you had to turn on the radio and hope it played. DJs would talk over the intro, which could be very annoying, but it was still the best way to hear new music before the internet made everything easy.
Family Dinners Were a Big Deal
Families didn’t eat in front of the TV or grab fast food on the go. Dinner was a sit-down event. Everyone gathered around the table, and you actually talked about your day. There were no distractions—just home-cooked meals (which were amazing), good conversation, and maybe a reminder to finish your vegetables before dessert.
Playing with Toys That Didn’t Need Batteries
Toys in the 60s were simple but fun. No screens, no batteries, just imagination that was running wild. Kids played with yo-yos, slinkies, jacks, and marbles for hours and hours. If you had an Etch A Sketch, you’d twist the knobs to make a masterpiece—then shake it to start over. Toys didn’t need to be high-tech to keep kids entertained.
Watching the Moon Landing on TV
If you were a kid in the 60s, you probably remember the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969. Families gathered around their TVs, watching as Neil Armstrong took that first step on the moon (it gave us goosebumps). It was a huge moment for Americans, and people talked about it for years. Some even kept newspaper clippings to remember the day humans walked on the moon.
Writing in a Diary with a Tiny Lock
Journals weren’t on screens, they were small books with real paper and tiny locks that made you feel like your secrets were safe. You’d write about school, friends, or whatever was on your mind, then hide the key in a “secret” spot. Of course, siblings always tried to find it, but that was just part of the fun.
Milk Delivered to Your Doorstep
The best thing about older days was that you got milk delivered right to your doorstep every single day. The milkman dropped off fresh glass bottles and picked up the empty ones. If it was cold outside, the cream on top could freeze and push the cap right off. It was just how things worked until big grocery stores took over.
