Top 11+ ’60s Childhood Activities That Would Raise Eyebrows Today

Trekking to School Without an Adult in Sight

In the ’60s, it was perfectly normal for even young children to walk to school entirely on their own. Parents trusted the community, and the idea of stranger danger wasn’t as ingrained in daily life. Kids learned to navigate traffic, cross streets, and manage their own time, often in groups or sometimes completely alone. Today, the thought of sending a six-year-old down the street unsupervised would spark alarm, with many parents opting for carpools, buses, or constant chaperoning instead.

Running Errands for Cigarettes

Believe it or not, parents in the ’60s often sent their kids to the local store to buy cigarettes—no questions asked. Clerks didn’t need ID, and it wasn’t considered unusual for a child to stroll home carrying a pack of their parent’s favorite brand. This was long before widespread public health campaigns against smoking. Today, such a scene would be not only socially unacceptable but outright illegal, highlighting just how much attitudes toward tobacco have shifted over time.

Playing with Sharp-Tipped Lawn Darts

Lawn darts were a popular backyard game in the 1960s, and they were every bit as dangerous as they sound—heavy metal tips designed to stick into the ground could easily cause serious injury. Kids often played without much supervision, laughing as the darts flew dangerously close to toes and heads. Eventually, the risks caught up, and the product was banned in many countries. Today, it’s hard to imagine giving children a game that could double as a medieval weapon.

Hitchhiking Without Fear

Sticking out your thumb to catch a ride was considered a cheap, adventurous way to get around in the ’60s—even for teens. Many kids thought nothing of hopping into a stranger’s car, trusting that most people were friendly and safe. This carefree approach to travel has all but vanished, replaced by warnings, horror stories, and a heightened awareness of personal safety. Modern parents would be horrified at the thought, and rightly so.

Pedaling Bareheaded and Proud

Bike helmets were virtually nonexistent for kids in the 1960s. Children sped down streets, flew over ramps, and cruised through neighborhoods without a second thought about head protection. Every scrape, bruise, and scab was seen as a badge of honor, not a safety concern. Today, helmet laws, padded gear, and parental caution have replaced that freewheeling spirit, making such bareheaded adventures a nostalgic—if risky—memory of the past.

Conquering Playgrounds Built for Bravery

Playgrounds in the ’60s were thrilling but far from safe. Towering metal slides baked in the sun, monkey bars stretched to dizzying heights, and seesaws could send you flying if your partner jumped off suddenly. Many surfaces were hard concrete or packed dirt, and scraped knees were a given. These days, soft mats, safety rails, and strict equipment standards have replaced those risky structures, trading adrenaline for injury prevention.

Discipline by Paddle at School

Corporal punishment in schools was legal and widely accepted in the 1960s. Teachers and principals had paddles ready, and a swat on the backside was considered a normal form of discipline. Parents often supported the practice, believing it kept kids respectful and in line. In today’s world, such actions would likely lead to lawsuits, investigations, and public outrage, reflecting a complete reversal in attitudes toward physical discipline in education.

Joyrides in the Back of Pickup Trucks

In the ’60s, piling a group of kids into the open bed of a pickup truck was just another way to get to the lake or drive-in theater. The wind in your hair and the open sky overhead felt like pure freedom, but there were no seatbelts or restraints to keep anyone safe. Today, strict vehicle safety laws prohibit such rides in most places, and what was once a simple joy is now viewed as a serious hazard.

Hours Alone at Home or in the Car

It wasn’t unusual for ’60s parents to leave their children home alone for hours—or even sitting in a parked car—while they ran errands. The assumption was that kids could entertain themselves or stay put without getting into trouble. Now, such practices can lead to charges of neglect, as modern society places a much higher emphasis on constant supervision and child safety in public spaces.

Living Surrounded by Cigarette Smoke

In the 1960s, smoking was everywhere—restaurants, airplanes, offices, and most homes. Kids breathed in secondhand smoke daily without anyone considering it harmful. Parents smoked in cars with the windows up, at the dinner table, and even while holding babies. Today, indoor smoking bans and public health campaigns have made that level of exposure unthinkable, with awareness of its dangers changing both law and lifestyle.

Drinking Straight from the Garden Hose

On hot summer days in the ’60s, grabbing a quick drink meant turning on the garden hose and taking a gulp—no bottled water, no filters, and no concerns about bacteria. The rubbery taste was just part of the experience. Parents didn’t worry about what was in the water, and kids loved the independence of quenching their thirst without adult help. Nowadays, parents are far more cautious, and the thought of drinking from a hose would make many cringe, marking it as another bygone childhood ritual.

While these activities bring back fond memories for many, they also serve as a reminder of how much our understanding of safety, health, and child welfare has evolved. The freedoms of the ’60s came with risks that today’s parents work hard to avoid, proving that while times change, the goal of keeping children safe remains the same.