22 Things Kids Got Away With in the ’60s That’d Get You Arrested Today
Back in the day, kids had way more freedom—and did things that would probably shock modern parents. Growing up in the 1960s meant endless adventures, little supervision, and way fewer safety rules. Sure, it’s fun to look back, but some of those old habits definitely wouldn’t fly today.
Walking to and from School Alone
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There was a time when the morning routine didn’t involve carpool lines or GPS tracking apps. Kids were expected to walk to school—rain, shine, or snowstorm. Parents trusted that their children could navigate traffic, cross streets without a crossing guard, and make it there and back in one piece. The idea of “stranger danger” existed, but it didn’t dominate the conversation. Kids were told to stick together, keep their heads up, and be smart.
Riding Bikes without Helmets
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Bikes were freedom on two wheels. Kids raced down hills, popped wheelies, and chased each other through alleys—bareheaded and fearless. Helmets were practically unheard of, and if someone wore one, they stood out in a way no kid wanted. A scraped knee was a badge of honor, not a cause for concern. It wasn’t that people didn’t care—it’s just that the risks didn’t feel as real back then as they do now.
Hitchhiking
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Once upon a time, hitchhiking wasn’t just for wayward travelers. It was a fairly common way to get from one place to another—especially in small towns and rural areas. Teenagers, even younger kids in some cases, might stick out a thumb on a quiet road and hope for a lift. People trusted strangers more than they do now, and there was an unspoken belief that most drivers meant well.
Playing Outside Unsupervised All Day
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If you were a kid in the ’60s, ’70s, or even the early ’80s, chances are your parents barely saw you on weekends. You’d leave the house after breakfast—maybe with a sandwich stuffed into your pocket—and return when the streetlights came on. Kids explored creeks, built forts from scrap wood, and invented games that went on for hours. There were no cell phones, no check-ins, and no playdates scheduled weeks in advance.
No Sunscreen
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A summer tan used to be a point of pride. Kids spent entire days outside without ever applying a drop of sunscreen. The only thing in the beach bag was maybe a bottle of coconut-scented tanning oil, which actually made sunburns worse. Red shoulders, peeling noses, and awkward tan lines were just part of growing up. Skin cancer wasn’t in the public consciousness, and SPF numbers weren’t something you memorized.
Stickball and Games in the Streets
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Before video games and organized sports took over, the street was the arena. Kids played stickball with broom handles and tennis balls, shouted across intersections during games of tag, and turned sewer grates into goalposts. They paused only when a car came barreling through—often with a driver who’d lean out the window and yell before moving along.
Drinking from Garden Hoses
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There was something about that warm, rubbery taste of hose water on a hot day that hit differently. Kids didn’t run inside for a cold bottle from the fridge—they turned on the spigot, let the water run a few seconds to get rid of the metallic taste, and took a long drink straight from the hose. No one questioned what might be leaching from the rubber or if the hose had sat in the sun too long. It was quick, easy, and totally normal.
Cooling Off with a Fire Hydrant
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On sweltering days, there was no better way to cool off than an open fire hydrant. Someone—usually an older kid with a wrench—would crack it open and send a blast of water into the air while the younger kids ran shrieking through the spray. It wasn’t legal, and occasionally, a police car would roll up to shut it down, but more often than not, it was tolerated. It brought the whole block together.
Becoming Blood Brothers and Sisters
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For kids growing up in the pre-digital era, swearing loyalty to a best friend meant sealing it in blood—literally. Two small cuts, a firm handshake, and a lifelong bond was formed. The ritual was inspired by movies, adventure stories, and sheer curiosity. There was little talk of bloodborne illness, and the biggest concern was whether your mom would notice the Band-Aid.
Sleeping in the Back Window of the Car
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Road trips didn’t always involve seat belts—or rules, really. Kids would stretch out across the backseat or even wedge themselves into the space behind the rear window while using a sweatshirt as a pillow. They watched the clouds go by, read comics, or just napped while the car cruised down the highway. Safety laws were looser, and crashes felt like something that happened to other people.
Coming Home to an Empty House
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When school let out, plenty of kids walked home, unlocked the door with the key around their necks, and spent the next few hours alone. They made themselves a snack, flipped on the TV, and maybe did some homework (maybe not). Parents trusted their kids to manage those hours responsibly. Today, there’s far more structure. Aftercare programs, check-ins, and scheduled activities have replaced that kind of independence.
Unsafe Toys
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Toy safety wasn’t exactly top-of-mind for manufacturers in decades past. Some toys were outright dangerous—metal edges, toxic paint, and choking hazards galore. There were lawn darts, chemistry sets with real chemicals, and BB guns advertised as harmless fun. If you got hurt, the lesson was simple: be more careful next time. Recalls were rare, and lawsuits weren’t a parent’s first response.
Chasing Mosquito Trucks Through Chemical Clouds
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It sounds like something out of a dystopian novel, but in many neighborhoods, kids actually chased mosquito-fogging trucks for fun. These trucks rolled through, spraying thick clouds of DDT to kill bugs, and kids ran right into the mist like it was part of the entertainment. The smell was odd, and the haze stuck to your clothes, but no one worried. It wasn’t until years later that people realized how toxic DDT was and banned it.