1. Riding in the Back of a Pickup Truck
Back in the ’60s, kids would pile into the back of a pickup truck like it was the best seat in the house. No seat belts, no airbags, just an open bed with the wind rushing past. Today, most states have laws that prohibit this, especially for younger passengers, due to safety concerns.
2. Hitchhiking for Fun
Kids and teenagers back then didn’t think twice about sticking out their thumbs to hitch a ride. It was almost a rite of passage, but now hitchhiking is often illegal, and the risks are just too high. Times have changed, and people are more cautious about picking up strangers.
3. Smoking Cigarettes … and Sometimes Even with Parents’ Approval
In the ’60s, smoking was far more common, and some teens even picked up the habit with their parents’ knowledge—or at least without major pushback. Today, the sale of cigarettes to minors is heavily regulated, and public campaigns highlight the health risks.
4. Playing with Toy Guns That Looked Real
Kids back then had toy guns that looked nearly identical to real ones, and they’d run around pretending to be cops or cowboys. Now, realistic-looking toy guns are often illegal or highly restricted because of the danger of them being mistaken for real weapons.
5. Drinking “Home Remedies” for Colds
If a kid had a sore throat or cold in the ’60s, it wasn’t unusual for a parent to hand them a spoonful of homemade remedies, which sometimes included a splash of whiskey or brandy! Today, giving alcohol to minors, even for “medicinal purposes,” is generally illegal.
6. Skipping Seatbelts Altogether
Many families didn’t even have seatbelts in their cars in the ’60s, and kids would sit, stand, or move around freely. Now, seatbelt laws are strict, and most states have child car seat regulations, making it illegal for kids to ride without proper safety restraints.
7. Shooting Off Fireworks
Fireworks were part of many kids’ backyard fun in the ’60s, often with little to no adult supervision. Nowadays, many places have strict laws on fireworks, especially around children, due to the high risk of burns and injuries.
8. Playing Outside Until Dark with No Supervision
Kids roamed freely in their neighborhoods, coming home only when it got dark. Today, this could result in legal trouble for parents who might be accused of neglect if their children are outside unsupervised for long periods.
9. Playing with Mercury
Back then, mercury wasn’t seen as the hazardous substance it is today. Some kids even played with it in school science classes, rolling it around on their hands! Now, handling mercury without strict safety measures is illegal and highly discouraged.
10. Riding Bicycles Without Helmets
In the ’60s, kids would ride their bikes for miles without a helmet, often with no hands on the handlebars! Today, most states have helmet laws for young riders to prevent head injuries and make cycling safer for kids.
11. Walking Around with Pocket Knives
Many kids carried pocket knives, either as a tool or for playing games like whittling. Today, pocket knives are generally prohibited in schools and can even be illegal to carry in certain public places for minors.
12. Playing Dangerous Games Like “Jarts” (Lawn Darts)
Lawn darts—metal-tipped projectiles thrown onto a target—were a popular game, but they were dangerous. After numerous injuries, lawn darts were eventually banned by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, so you won’t see kids playing with them today.
