As suburbia expanded in the 1960s, a world opened up for Baby Boomers that produced traditions and behaviors that many pine for today.
24/7 Tempo took a nostalgia trip back to the 60s to seek childhood traditions that should come back. We referenced sources such as the website for Country Living and exercised editorial discretion to put this list together.
The post-World War II population boom that began in the 1950s extended well into the following decade, abetted by peace and prosperity. It was not unusual for families to have at least three children and frequently more.
For the most part, kids were left to their own devices, staying outside all day and exploring undisturbed woods, streams and open fields, searching for animals such as turtles, snakes, and salamanders.
Neighborhoods were teeming with kids who rode banana-seat bikes with a companion seated on the handlebar (no one wore a helmet), played kickball in the street, and flashlight tag at night. Play dates were unknown, as friends called each other on the family phone to arrange to hang out. Casting hygiene concerns to the wind, close friends would commit their friendship in a blood oath by making a small cut in their fingers and pressing them together.
As for home life, kids ate dinner and watched television as a family, viewing famous events such as the first moon landing and the Beatles’ first appearance on the “Ed Sullivan Show” together. (For a similar list from another era, take a look at these traditions from the 70 we’d like to see back.)
Here are childhood traditions from the 60s that should come back.
Playing flashlight tag
Suburban kids played flashlight tag in their neighborhood when the days got longer in spring and summer.
Hanging out at a friend’s house
When you wanted to hang out with your pals in the 60s, you didn’t need a play date arranged to do so.
Watching TV as a family
Families watched television together in the 60s because there was just one TV in most homes. They watched events such as the moon landing and the Beatles’ first appearance on American television.
Having dinner as a family
Families would wait for their father to come home from work for family dinner prepared by stay-at-home moms.
Sleeping in the back window of family car
In the 1960s, the smaller kids would climb into the well of the backseat against the window and sleep.
Playing with Etch-a-Sketch
Many grade-school children honed their sketching skills on Etch-A-Sketch devices.
Riding on handlebars of banana-seat bikes
A pastime for kids in the 60s was riding on the handlebars of stingray banana-seat bicycles. Kids didn’t wear helmets in the 60s. so while this was fun, you had to be careful.
Swapping/trading baseball cards
Kids traded cards or played a card-flipping game behind school buildings.
Walking to school and walking home
If they weren’t taking the bus or riding to and from school with their parents, many children walked to school by themselves.
Learning how to ride a bike with your parents
Learning how to ride a bike with a parent’s supervision was a rite of passage in suburban neighborhoods.
Playing outside all day
Once school let out, kids would be out of the house and playing sports or some other activities until it was time for dinner.
Looking for turtles, snakes, amphibians
For children who lived on the outskirts of suburbia, also called exurbia, where development had not occurred yet, open field and woodlands were wonderlands for seeking animals such as turtles, salamanders, and snakes.
Cooling off with an open fire hydrant
City kids would open fire hydrants to cool off in the summer, even though police and firefighters looked askance at the practice.
Becoming blood brothers and sisters
Kids would become blood brothers and sisters by each making a tiny incision in their hands and clasping them together.
Forming a band with neighbors
The 60s was the era of one-hit wonders, so lots of kids formed local bands for fun, played high school dances, and perhaps took a shot at fame.
Holding block parties
Block parties brought neighbors together. Neighborhoods would have police close down local streets and set up food booths and hold games for the children, usually in the summer.