How Kids Entertained Themselves A Century Before Technology

Childhoods today are vastly different than years ago. The way of life, on the whole, has shifted. Families were typically larger, and parents gave children more freedom to do what they wanted, like walking to school, without the worry of strangers and increased worries the modern age seems to have brought. Many children were also forced to work – whether in farming communities or even in entertainment – but with child labor laws, the amount of hours children can work is vastly restricted. But the biggest change of all is technology. This glimpse into kids' lives 100 years before technology illustrates how creative and innovative children were.

A hundred years ago, when children were bored, they simply played outside, made up games, and found creative ways to have fun or entertain themselves without a computer, TV, or phone screen. But they didn't spend all their time having fun. Many children didn't have the luxury of playing and had to help around the house or on the farm.

To get a glimpse into kids' lives 100 years before technology, 24/7 Tempo put together a collection of 20 photos that show what life was like for children in the early 20th century. We also consulted sources such as Readers Digest, the Library of Congress, and PBS to determine what life was like during this period. (After this article, check out 15 photos that show what life was like for women 100 years ago.)

Since children didn't have the option to spend their day playing video games 100 years ago, they spent a lot more time playing outdoors. Outdoor sports were a great way for children to have fun and stay active.

Children didn't only spend time outdoors with other children. Families often spent time outside together, like the family here exploring a cliff. It was important to take safety precautions to prevent children from getting hurt.

It wasn't until the 1960s that most new homes had air conditioning. Children spent a lot of time outdoors no matter what the temperature was. However, in the heat of the summer, children had to find ways to cool off, especially during a heat wave.

When children today want something to play with, they usually ask their parents to take them to a toy store. A hundred years ago, children made their own fun, often by building things themselves, such as the homemade cart shown in this photo.

Children in the 1920s could enjoy the simple things in life, like eating outdoors under the shade of a fort they built. This was a way for them to enjoy time together while also protecting themselves from the heat.

Children today still enjoy toy cars, but driving one in the street would seem dangerous. Here, a little boy tests his toy car on a real street in the late 1920s.

A hundred years ago, many children developed skills that kids in the modern world don't have. One example is the ability to knit. Since children helped out a lot around the house, they were able to participate in activities such as knitting socks for soldiers who were overseas.

The idea of children even being around cigarettes is enough to make many modern parents cringe. However, 100 years ago, children were not only exposed to cigarettes but they could sometimes be found smoking them. The first report on the dangers of tobacco wasn't released until the 1960s.

Nowadays, a kid with a deflated football would use a pump to fill it with air. Here, we see a boy getting creative by using a spare tire to inflate his football. Children 100 years ago had to find creative and out-of-the-box ways to have fun.

There were many ways for children to have fun outdoors in the 1920s. For children who lived near the water, some chose to spend their time fishing for tiddlers, or small fish. This was a fun activity children could do together.

Sunscreen wasn't popular until later in the 20th century, so children and adults had to wear hats and umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun. Here, two girls are reading and spending time outdoors in a coastal city in England.

A hundred years ago, boys weren't afraid to get dirty when playing outside. Boys could be found playing in mud or dirt. While this activity may seem too messy or dangerous today, the boys pictured here are enjoying time playing in the river.

It wasn't uncommon in the early 20th century for children to help out with chores around the house. They might help with cleaning, cooking, or even working in the garden.

Camping is still a popular activity in the 21st century. However, it looked a bit different in the 1920s. There was no such thing as "glamping," or glamorous camping, but families could enjoy time together outdoors.

Some activities, such as boxing, might be considered dangerous for young children nowadays. In the early 20th century, young boys learned to box, even without the protective gear we might consider necessary in the modern world.

In the 1920s, coal was still used in the home for heating. However, during a coal strike, it was challenging for families to get the coal they needed. Here, children are looking in a dustbox for coal.

Many children, especially those whose families owned farms, learned how to help from a young age. With the absence of child labor laws, many children worked instead of going to school. The children in this photo are learning hay carting in Liverpool.

Playing with model boats was another way that children had fun in the early 20th century. These boats could float on the water and playing with them was a popular hobby for children 100 years ago.

In the modern world, children still love racing. The methods of racing might look different today, especially with the availability of toys like remote-controlled cars. In the 1920s, children raced each other in toy cars and boats. (Don't miss 23 of the most iconic photos ever taken.)