Family life in the sixties had a rhythm all its own. Long before the digital age took over, families shared more than just a roof; they shared real time together. Whether it was piling into the car for a weekend drive, sitting down to a home-cooked meal every evening, or gathering in the living room to watch whatever was on the only television, life moved at a gentler pace.
Some of the things we did back then might seem odd or old-fashioned today, but they were part of what made family life feel close-knit and grounded. Kids roamed the neighborhood until dusk, parents trusted the radio for news and weather, and nobody thought twice about helping out around the house. It’s funny how quickly those once-everyday moments have turned into snapshots of another era. I hope you’re ready to travel back to the ’60s, because here are 20 things we used to do as a family in the ’60s that feel outdated.
1. Camping trips
Don’t get me wrong, families still go camping, but not like we used to. We used to load up the car for a weekend-long camping trip with the whole family. Today, the idea just sounds a little corny.
2. Fishing trips
Up until the rise of the cell phone, fishing trips were the way to spend quality time with family. Now it’s just a father-son thing, and most kids have lost the love for fishing.
3. Picnics at the park
The old-fashioned picnic on a blanket is still popular among couples, but it’s rare to see families doing it today. No longer will parents pack a basket full of food and spend the day at the park with their kids.
4. Board games after dinner
With today’s distractions like streaming platforms and personal gaming consoles, every person in the family can do exactly what they want. But back in the ’60s, the best way to spend a night was breaking out an old board game and playing with the family.
5. Helping Dad work on the car
Things like changing your own oil and brake pads were a family thing in the ’60s. Today, we take our cars to the shop just for an oil change.
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6. Reading the newspaper together
The morning paper was a sacred ritual. Mom and Dad would read the news aloud while you and your siblings stole the funny pages.
7. Helping Mom hang the laundry
Each shirt and each sock was secured with a clothespin, and you could only hope it wouldn’t rain. The fresh smell of sunshine on sheets was unbeatable.
8. Listening to records together
In the ’60s, parents taught their kids what good music was. The only music that played in the house was the records parents would buy, and boy was it good stuff.
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9. Family library visits
Each week, families would flood the local library to renew a book or rent a new one.
10. Writing letters to family
There were no emails or text messages in the ’60s, and long-distance calls were expensive, so families would often write handwritten letters to one another. Getting a letter in the mail for a birthday or special occasion was extremely exciting.
11. Making homemade ice cream
Cranking the handle by hand took forever, but the reward was sweet. Everyone took turns and begged for seconds. Today, you can’t beat 1/2 a gallon of ice cream for $4.50.
12. Learning to fix things around the house
A leaky faucet wasn’t just a pain in the neck; it was an opportunity for Dad to teach the kids how to fix something. Our ancestors would be disappointed to know we call a plumber for fixes like this.
13. Matching outfits for family photos
If you asked your family to wear matching outfits for a family photo today, people would groan and cringe at how ’60s that is. While some families do this for holiday cards, ask the parents how hard it is to get the young ones into those matching outfits.
14. Using real maps on road trips
Someone was the navigator, and someone got blamed for missing a turn. There was no GPS, just guesswork and a hope that you got to your destination on time.
15. Stovetop popcorn
It’s so easy to just throw a bag of popcorn in the microwave for a couple of minutes and have popcorn, but it’s no match for stovetop popcorn. I encourage families to bring this tradition back.
16. Learning to drive stick
This was a necessary skill that parents taught their kids in the ’60s. Stalling was a rite of passage, and parents would always have to yell out, “Ease off the clutch!”
17. Having a family garden
Family gardens still exist, but it’s mostly the parents maintaining them. In the ’60s, everyone was outside weeding, and working to get the best crop possible for the year.
18. Sewing and fixing clothes at home
Today, if we get a tear in a piece of clothing, it goes in the trash. In the ’60s, Mom’s sewing machine never stopped, and everyone needed to learn how to use it.
19. Ordering milk from the milkman
The milkman wasn’t just a public servant; he was a friend of the family. Oftentimes, they knew the entire family by first name, making the grocery-buying process a little more personal.
20. Getting haircuts in the kitchen
It’s somehow weird now if you get haircuts at home. Apparently, there’s a sense of prestige in paying $100 for a haircut today.
Want to see more content from the ’60s?
Check out 20 Towering Hairstyles That Defined the Glamour of the 1960s, or take a look at 15 Rare Photos of the 1960s Space Race Obsession in Every American Home. Finally, if you want to see what weekends looked like in the ’60s, check out 20 Vintage Photos That Capture What Weekends Looked Like in the 60s and 70s.
