Growing up in the ’60s was a world apart from the experiences of kids today. Back then, life was freer, toys were often made of metal instead of plastic, and entertainment didn’t involve screens. What we considered normal would likely leave today’s kids baffled—or completely amazed. Let’s take a nostalgic look at 15 childhood staples from the ’60s that defined our upbringing but would absolutely shock the younger generation.
1. School Air-Raid Drills
In the ’60s, the Cold War loomed large, and schoolchildren regularly participated in air-raid drills. Students were instructed to “duck and cover” under their desks or move to designated fallout shelters, practicing for the possibility of a nuclear attack.
Today’s kids, thankfully, don’t live under the same constant threat of nuclear war. The idea of crouching under desks to prepare for such a catastrophic event would feel both surreal and terrifying to modern children, highlighting how different the world felt back then.
2. Metal Toys with Sharp Edges
Toys in the ’60s were built to last—often out of heavy metal with little concern for safety. Tonka trucks, erector sets, and other toys were as sturdy as they were dangerous, and the occasional cut or bruise was just part of the fun.
Modern toys, made of soft plastic and subjected to rigorous safety tests, seem like a different species altogether. The idea of handing today’s kids a toy with exposed bolts or sharp corners would probably make parents faint, but for us, it was the norm.
3. Saturday Matinee Marathons
Every Saturday, kids would line up with a quarter to watch hours of back-to-back movies and cartoons at the local theater. These marathons were often filled with Westerns, slapstick comedies, or sci-fi flicks, and they included intermissions for snacks.
Today’s kids can stream any movie they want, any time they want, often in the comfort of their own homes. The idea of sitting through multiple movies in a crowded theater, all for a few cents, would feel like stepping into another world for them.
4. Chemical Science Kits
Science kits in the ’60s were more akin to mini chemistry labs. They included real chemicals, open flames, and glass beakers, allowing kids to mix and experiment in ways that would horrify today’s safety standards. Blowing things up or accidentally burning a hole in the carpet wasn’t uncommon.
Today’s science kits are designed with safety in mind, featuring plastic tools and harmless experiments. The thought of handing a child real acid or flammable materials would send modern parents into a panic, but for ’60s kids, it was all part of learning.
5. Milk Delivered to the Door
In the ’60s, the milkman was a fixture of suburban life. Glass bottles of fresh milk were delivered right to your doorstep, and empty bottles were left out for pickup. Kids often got to greet the milkman or sneak a sip straight from the bottle.
Today, milk comes from grocery stores in plastic jugs or cartons, and the idea of a daily milk delivery seems quaint and impractical. Kids accustomed to almond and oat milk might find the concept of a “milkman” downright bizarre.
6. TVs Without Remotes
Watching TV in the ’60s was an event, but it required effort—like getting up to change the channel on the giant, boxy television set. There were only a handful of channels, and they often went off the air late at night, leaving nothing but static.
Modern kids, spoiled by endless streaming options and voice-activated remotes, would be baffled by the thought of limited programming and physically turning a dial to find something to watch. “No remote?!” they’d say. “Why didn’t you just use your phone?”
7. Cigarette Vending Machines
Cigarette vending machines were a common sight, even in places frequented by kids. With just a few coins, anyone could pull the lever and get a pack of smokes. While technically illegal for minors, enforcement was lax, and these machines were everywhere.
Today, the very idea of kids having access to cigarettes is unthinkable. Modern vending machines dispense snacks and sodas, not tobacco, and the strict regulations on smoking make the casual normalization of these machines seem surreal.
8. Neighborhood Paper Routes
In the ’60s, many kids earned their first dollars delivering newspapers. They’d wake up before sunrise, load up their bikes with a canvas bag full of papers, and toss them onto porches or stoops. Rain, snow, or shine—it was a rite of passage.
Today, paper routes are mostly handled by adults driving cars, and physical newspapers are quickly becoming obsolete. The idea of a kid handling a morning job before school feels almost like a relic of another era.
9. Dangerous Playground Equipment
Playgrounds in the ’60s were built for thrills, not safety. Tall metal slides that burned in the sun, seesaws with no padding, and swings suspended on heavy chains were the norm. Falling was part of the experience, and kids learned to dust themselves off and keep going.
Modern playgrounds are padded, plastic, and meticulously designed to minimize risk. For today’s kids, the rugged, risky equipment of the ’60s would look more like an obstacle course for survival than a place for fun.
10. Books Ordered from Scholastic Flyers
Scholastic book flyers were handed out in classrooms, filled with colorful pictures and tantalizing titles. Kids would circle their choices, take the forms home to their parents, and eagerly wait weeks for their books to arrive.
In the age of Amazon and instant downloads, the slow, methodical process of ordering books through school flyers would seem frustrating to kids today. But for us, it was an exciting ritual that made books feel special and worth the wait.
11. Ride in the Back of a Pickup Truck
Piling into the back of a pickup truck for a ride was a common thrill for kids in the ’60s. Whether it was a trip to the store or just cruising around the neighborhood, the wind in your hair and the open sky overhead made it unforgettable.
Today’s safety laws make this illegal in most places, and parents wouldn’t dream of letting their kids ride without seatbelts. For today’s children, the thought of riding in an open truck bed would feel like a wild and dangerous adventure.
12. Drinking from the Garden Hose
On hot summer days, kids in the ’60s quenched their thirst by drinking straight from the garden hose. There was no bottled water or concern about “hose taste”—it was just cold, refreshing water, and it got the job done.
Modern kids, accustomed to filtered water and insulated bottles, might balk at the idea of gulping down hose water. But for ’60s kids, it was a practical and nostalgic part of outdoor play.
13. Rotary Phones
Dialing a number on a rotary phone was an art in patience, as each number had to be carefully turned and allowed to reset before the next. Phone calls were often made in the family’s central living area, with little to no privacy.
For today’s kids, accustomed to smartphones and texting, the idea of slowly dialing each number—and being tied to one spot during a call—would be unthinkable. Rotary phones now feel like artifacts of a slower-paced time.
14. Homemade Halloween Costumes
Halloween in the ’60s was a DIY affair. Costumes were crafted from whatever materials were on hand—sheets for ghosts, cardboard for robots, and Mom’s old clothes for hobos. Store-bought costumes were rare and often consisted of simple plastic masks with elastic bands.
Today, elaborate, pre-packaged costumes dominate Halloween, and the idea of making a costume from scratch might feel like too much work for many families. For us, though, it was part of the fun, sparking creativity and a sense of pride.
15. Freedom to Roam the Neighborhood
In the ’60s, kids would leave the house after breakfast and not return until dinner, with no cell phones or GPS tracking. Parents trusted their kids to explore the neighborhood, ride bikes for miles, or spend hours in the woods building forts. It was a time of independence and adventure.
Today, such freedom is almost unheard of. With constant supervision and safety concerns, kids rarely venture beyond their yards without an adult. The thought of spending the day unsupervised, miles from home, would seem reckless to modern families—but for us, it was just childhood.
These childhood staples defined an era of freedom, creativity, and resilience, even if some now seem shockingly outdated or unsafe. Which of these do you remember fondly, and which ones would you never want to relive? Let’s cherish the unique quirks of growing up in the ’60s while appreciating how much times have changed.
