Last Updated on May 23, 2025 by Matt Staff
It was a freer, looser time when children played with firecrackers, rode bikes without helmets, and drank sugary sodas by the gallon. It might sound unbelievable now, but for many, it was just a normal childhood. Here are 20 things parents in the ’60s let their kids do that definitely wouldn’t fly today.
1. Ride Bikes Without Helmets
Safety was a second thought in the 1960s.
2. Walk miles to a friend’s house alone
If the kids knew how to get somewhere, they were walking. No matter the distance.
3. Kids stayed home alone as young as 10
Being ten years old and having the house to yourself was terrifying and amazing at the same time. But parents in the ’60s worked until 5 or 6, so kids were home alone for a few hours.
4. Walk to school alone or just with friends
Mom and Dad started work at 6:30, and school didn’t start till 8. So you were either walking or you weren’t going.
5. Go to their friend’s house with minimal parental contact
Parents in the ’60s were strung out so thin they didn’t verify play dates with other kids. They trusted their children to tell them where they were going, and that was that.
6. Go trick or treating alone
Parents used to let their kids run free on the whole night of Halloween in the ’60s. Since we’ve upgraded our thoughts on safety, parents tag along now.
7. Take public transportation alone
It was totally common for young kids to take buses or subways by themselves in the ’60s, something that is now out of the ordinary.
8. Babysit at just 10 years old
Once you hit ten years old, you were able to look after your siblings.
9. Go to the lake or pool unsupervised
It’s a good thing we understand the dangers of unsupervised swimming now, but in the ’60s, it was common for kids to take a swim alone.
10. Take care of pets solo
In the ’60s, when parents said, “I’m not taking care of that dog.” They actually meant it. Kids were put in charge of pets, which meant walking them, feeding them, and taking care of their medical needs.
11. Climb trees or sit on rooftops
In the ’60s, they weren’t called trees, they were called Jungle Jim’s.
12. Hang out on construction sites or in abandoned buildings
This eerily fun activity was dangerous, but that was just part of the fun.
13. Take care of the lawn
In the ’60s, kids were mowing the lawn by 10 years old.
14. Hitchhike
Yes, this actually happened. It wasn’t out of the ordinary for kids to catch a ride across town from a stranger in the ’60s.
15. Use power tools
If you wanted a tree house, you were building a tree house. Kids would just go in Dad’s garage and pull out what they needed.
16. Ride in cars with no seatbelt
It’s a good thing we started focusing on safety since the ’60s. We now understand that wearing a seatbelt is a necessary safety precaution.
17. Play with fire
Playing with matches and lighting fires was a great way for young kids to pass the time. It only stopped because of the accidental fires.
18. Ride in the back of pickup trucks
What was once a fun and breezy ride is now completely illegal in most places.
19. Use lawn darts
These heavy, dangerous projectiles were just considered a normal backyard game.
20. Have BB gun or slingshot wars
Eye protection was rarely used, and getting injured was just a part of the fun.
Want to see more ’60s content?
Check out 35 Vintage Photos of the Mid-1960s, or take a look at 25 Vintage Photos Of Road Trips In the 1960s and 1970s. Finally, if you want to check out Parisian style, take a look at 20 Vintage Photos Capturing 1960s Parisian Style.
