Nearly everyone feels invincible as a child. You physically heal faster as a child than you do as an adult. Children don’t know the true dangers of things until it’s too late. However, there were plenty of parents who allowed their kids to partake in these crazy experiences. Today, most adults wouldn’t dare let any of their young ones even consider doing anything dangerous. Part of the reason people were more willing to allow their children to do these things was because of the cost of medical attention. Hospital visits aren’t as cheap as they were back in the day.
Kids used to hang out on their roofs on a regular basis. Plenty of young folks thought it was cool to see the world from a different point of view. As kids, mostly everyone weighed less than they do now as adults. If someone wanted to relive that childhood experience, they’d likely feel stressed the entire time. There’s a fear that the roof will collapse at any given moment. The medical and roof repair costs aren’t worth the reward of relaxing on the roof for a little while.
Another “fun” activity kids participated in was tongue-to-fan tests. There was no true rhyme or reason why kids enjoyed partaking in this pursuit. The wind from the fan felt good when your tongue got close enough to the fan. Young people tested to see who could get close enough to the fan without pulling back. The fan could easily hurt your tongue. Not to mention, there were plenty of gross germs hanging out on the fan. For more throwback content, click here to read about childhood traditions from the ’80s that should come back.
To compile this list of dangerous childhood experiences that used to be normal, 24/7 Tempo consulted Psych Central, NPR, and Idaho Youth Ranch.
Hanging out on fire escapes
Fire escapes are meant to save lives. They weren’t made with the thought that people would hang out on them all day. There are weight limits on fire escapes. The staircases on fire escapes are unpredictable. They sometimes swing. Other times, they don’t. However, young kids who grow up in apartment buildings frequently found themselves on the fire escape. They’d talk to their friends about relationship problems and what their futures would hold.
Some of the best memories kids have is from spending time on the escape route. These days, adults prefer spending time on rooftop bars. They look out onto the cities they live in or visit. Most get that same feeling of adventure when hanging out on a rooftop bar. Unlike a lot of the things on this list, adults have figured out a way to recreate the same memories from a fire escape. They do so a lot safer in their adulthood.
Balcony jumping
Oftentimes, they party wouldn’t start until someone made their way up to a balcony and took flight. Most people from seven or eight all the way up until college wanted to experience the thrill of leaping from a balcony. Some thrill-seekers even leapt from balcony to balcony. Typically, there was a pool or trampoline below to catch you. That didn’t mean you’d easily escape without injury.
Tons of hospital visits stem from people deciding it was their turn to play Superman. These days, adults wouldn’t fathom letting a child near a balcony. The fear of what might happen consumes most people. Even college aged kids who once jumped from balconies are refraining from doing so.
Playing in construction sites
There was once no greater thrill than running through a construction site. They were home to so many wonky trails and obstacles to run through. Kids felt like they were the greatest athletes in the world when they completed the various courses that were set up for them. The lack of cameras also made it easy to sneak in and out of.
In 2024, there are few people who would even dare attempt to sneak into a construction site. For starters, there are tons of legal ramifications that might come from it. Folks also know how dangerous it can be if something were to break and hurt you while at the site. There are a plentiful amount of other places to hang out at for fun.
Swimming in swim holes
Kids are constantly looking for new adventures and ways to get their energy out. During summer break, anyone who lived near nature looked for the closest swim hole. This was an excellent way to cool down and bond with friends. Teenagers took the opportunity to spend time with potential romantic partners.
Most people in 2024 are looking for clean areas to swim in. Swim holes aren’t the safest place when it comes to germs and bacteria. The teenagers who frequented swim holes are spending more time watching shows with potential partners. The thrill of exploring nature has left the newest generation.
Being out for 10+ hours per day
There was once a time when parents demanded their kids left the house early in the morning. They weren’t allowed to return until the street lights came on. That was the sign dinner was ready. During the day, kids got into a plethora of shenanigans with their friends. They came home with dirt over their clothes often. There were tons of rips and stains that wouldn’t be fixed.
These days, parents freak out if their child is gone for more than 30 seconds without an update. While it’s good to want to keep your child safe, many parents don’t feel the desire to let their kids go out into the world. This likely won’t change in the future. Kids are far too enamored with technology and video games to explore the outdoors around them.
Tongue-to-fan tests
Imagine putting your tongue near a fan for fun. Kids used to enjoy seeing how close they could get to hitting the fan. Some daredevils even allowed their tongue to fully touch a nasty fan. Rather than be disgusted by what they swallowed, the onlookers wanted a chance to experience the same thrill their friend just did.
Folks in 2024 know how dirty and gross fans are. There’s so much dust that collects inside a fan. Germs are seemingly everywhere on the object that’s meant to cool you down. These days, kids care so much about hygiene. They don’t want to risk getting sick. Given the fact that most kids grew up wearing masks and social distancing during formative years, this way of thinking makes sense.
Staircase sleeping bag sliding
Sleepovers were an integral part of childhood. It’s when kids made memories that lasted a lifetime with their friends. One of the most popular sleepover activities was sliding down the staircase in a sleeping bag. Kids would shoot down the stairs and attempt to avoid hitting anything when they hit the ground.
There were even chances of hitting the side of a staircase and going through it. Kids in 2024 only want to play video games during their sleepovers. Even if they wanted to try sliding down the stairs, their parents would immediately step in and say no. There are too many ways to get hurt or damage the house. These expenses aren’t cheap to repair these days.
Ice sliding in shoes
Anyone who grew up in the cold knows how brutal the winter can be. During this time, it’s challenging to find activities to do outdoors. One of the common things kids used to do was slide around on ice in their shoes. They’d pretend like they were playing hockey or ice skating. These games resulted in dozens of broken bones for young ones.
The injuries didn’t stop kids from continuing to play when their friends got hurt. Shoes were also destroyed during these endeavors. The bottoms los their grip. They needed to be replaced sooner than if kids didn’t partake in ice sliding. Rather than get upset, parents happily paid for a cheap pair of shoes.
Hanging out on roofs
There were no better places to unwind and clear your mind as a kid than the roof. It gave you a unique view of the world. You felt like you were away from everyone else in society when you were on a roof. Kids spent time with their friends and potential romantic partners there. Multiple first kisses in history have taken place on top of roofs at night.
However, kids don’t find the same joy of hanging out on a roof anymore. It’s rare to see anyone relaxing on top of a roof. Even adults don’t like to be up there. The only time most people are ever seen on a roof is when it needs repair. These days, adults like spending time on rooftop bars. They get the same excitement from a roof, without the danger that comes with it.
Zig zag bike riding downhill
During summer break, kids spent time looking for the most intense hill to ride their bike down. It didn’t matter if there was traffic along the road, either. Kids wanted the thrill of racing down the side of the road and seeing how fast they went. There were some times bike riders went so fast that they caught up to cars who were following the speed limit.
Drivers were always on the lookout for potential riders racing by them. These days, kids are advised to stay away from racing their bikes down the road. More kids are going through life without the knowledge of riding a bike. It’s rare to see a group of friends climbing to the top of a hill to race down.
Six or more friends riding in a five-seater car
Cars are built with safety measures in mind. They have a certain number of seatbelts and airbags. In case of an emergency, the seatbelts and airbags will save lives of passengers. Teenagers used to jam into cars back in the day. It was an easy way to save gas and know where everyone was. Some people even sat in the beds of their friends’ trucks.
These days, most groups of friends keep in touch via texting. It’s easy to know where everyone in your friend group is at any given moment. Past generations didn’t have the easy access that the current generation does. If you wanted to go somewhere, you had to plan to meet at a certain time. You then had to hope everyone remembered the time and place. The easiest way to get somewhere was riding together in one car.
Playing in abandoned buildings
Abandoned buildings were once a gateway to creating core memories for kids. Like construction sites, kids used their imaginations to come up with the craziest scenarios. There were no cameras that could hold you liable if you were caught or broke something. Abandoned buildings were the best way to test how brave you were. If you could make it through a dark room or hallway at night, your friends instantly gained more respect for you.
These days, abandoned buildings are boarded up. It’s nearly impossible to get inside. Even if you pull the feat off, the buildings are typically gross and filled with animals most people want to avoid. Some folks are crazy enough to continue exploring. Most would rather sit back from the comfort of their home and relax.
Riding bikes without helmets
It’s amazing to think that people who wore helmets were considered losers back in the day. All they wanted to do was stay safe and protect their brains. Yet, kids who wore them subjected themselves to criticism and jokes. Kids want to fit in as much as possible. If they don’t feel like they’re fitting in, they’re going to do whatever it takes to make it right.
In 2024, people are more conscious about protecting themselves and their bodies. They know trips to the emergency room are much more costly than trying to look cool for others. Some kids even make fun of you if you don’t care about protecting yourself. The tides have truly changed from what looks cool and what doesn’t while riding a bike. Someday, it might even be cool to protect yourself with elbow and knee guards on a bike.
Buying cigarettes from vending machines
Like riding a bike, there was once a time where smoking cigarettes is what made you look cool. High schoolers got into them as a way to impress their friends and crushes. The draw of a cigarette was considered artsy by many people. Smoking was seemingly an instant way to attract others. One of the easiest ways to obtain cigarettes for those who were underage at the time was by going to a vending machine. These machines spat out some of the most impactful things to people.
In 2024, vending machines filled with cigarettes are seemingly obsolete. It’s challenging to find them even in Las Vegas, where smoking is around every corner. People know the risks and health problems that arise while smoking. Fewer folks are spending their money on cigarettes. If the vending machines were to make a comeback, they’d have to sell vapes. That’s what the current generation of people are inhaling.
Siblings under the age of 12 babysitting each other
Most pairs of siblings are taught to protect each other and stick by each other’s side no matter what. There was once a time when siblings babysat each other at a young age. The elder sibling took on the responsibilities of being a parent. Younger siblings around the world routinely yelled that the older sibling wasn’t their parent. Chaos sometimes ensued. However, most houses never burnt down because of siblings fighting while they were alone. The crazy part is most of these kids were no older than 12 when they were in charge.
In 2024, there are plenty of remote jobs that ensure children won’t be left alone. There are security cameras inside tons of homes so parents can still be in charge should something happen. Adults aren’t as comfortable leaving their children behind with the rise in weird behaviors some people exhibit. If you aren’t in high school, you likely won’t be alone with younger siblings at home. Too many things can go wrong in 2024.
Sitting on electrical boxes
One of the most common places for friends to hang out when they got off the bus was on a large electrical box. While there were countless warning signs against getting on the box, dozens of people sat on them at any given moment. Kids didn’t have a fear in the world over what might happen to them. Some were even daring enough to be around them during a storm. Nobody thought anything of it when seeing someone sitting on a box.
These days, folks are afraid of what might happen if you sit on the wrong box at the wrong time. Kids would rather hang out indoors. They want to have access to technology and video games to keep them company. While it’s safer to be in these places than on an electrical box, kids are missing out on one of the great hang out spots in history. For more throwback content, click here to read about the biggest icons of the ’70s.