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These 19 Photos Prove Kids Don’t Play Like They Used To

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zmyworldfix
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Wealth Gang

Erin Kuschner
May 13, 2025 at 11:29 AM
A group of children are laughing and racing in burlap sacks on a grassy hill under a clear blue sky, with a building and umbrellas in the background.
L. Willinger/FPG/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Remember playing in the street as a kid? Bare feet, scuffed knees, an impromptu game of Wiffle ball or tag — all unsupervised with the promise that you’d make it back home before the sun went down. Sure, some kids still play this way today, but they’re more likely to be glued to a monitor playing video games than going on an excursion to a nearby creek. For a trip down memory lane, take a look at these nostalgic photos that offer a glimpse into how kids used to play.

1. Just a 1950s Boy and His Bow and Arrow

A young boy dressed in shorts, a white shirt, and socks aims a bow and arrow toward a small target on the ground outside a wooden building. He stands on grass, focused on his shot.A young boy dressed in shorts, a white shirt, and socks aims a bow and arrow toward a small target on the ground outside a wooden building. He stands on grass, focused on his shot.
u/GaGator43 via Reddit.com

2. Kids Playing in an Abandoned Car in Glasgow, Scotland, 1969

Children play on and inside an old, damaged car in a rundown urban area, with brick apartment buildings in the background. One child climbs through the car window while another sits on the roof.Children play on and inside an old, damaged car in a rundown urban area, with brick apartment buildings in the background. One child climbs through the car window while another sits on the roof.
u/ErskineLoyal via Reddit.com

3. French Children Watching a Puppet Show, 1960

Three young children wearing knitted sweaters and bonnets sit closely on a bench, holding hands, with a group of other children behind them. All the children appear to be attentively watching something out of frame.Three young children wearing knitted sweaters and bonnets sit closely on a bench, holding hands, with a group of other children behind them. All the children appear to be attentively watching something out of frame.
u/skipperbob via Reddit.com

4. Playing With Marbles on a Playground, 1950s

Seven children sit in a circle on the ground outside, playing a game with small objects in the dirt. They appear engaged and focused on the game. The photo is in black and white.Seven children sit in a circle on the ground outside, playing a game with small objects in the dirt. They appear engaged and focused on the game. The photo is in black and white.
u/[deleted] via Reddit.com

5. Splashing Around in the Street, 1924

Children play in the water on a city street lined with tall apartment buildings and hanging laundry. The scene is lively and busy, with people walking and city architecture visible in the background.Children play in the water on a city street lined with tall apartment buildings and hanging laundry. The scene is lively and busy, with people walking and city architecture visible in the background.
u/Hooverpaul via Reddit.com

6. So What If Your Clothes Got Dirty Playing by the Creek?

Two young girls in white dresses play by a rocky riverbank. One girl bends down to touch the water while the other stands nearby, looking at something in her hand. The background is lush and green.Two young girls in white dresses play by a rocky riverbank. One girl bends down to touch the water while the other stands nearby, looking at something in her hand. The background is lush and green.
u/Hairy_Ad_9586 via Reddit.com

7. ‘My Grandfather (a Cop) Let the Neighbor Kids Play in His Squad Car’

A group of young children play around and inside a parked police car with its doors open. One child sits in the driver’s seat smiling, while others stand nearby. The scene appears to be from the past, in black and white.A group of young children play around and inside a parked police car with its doors open. One child sits in the driver’s seat smiling, while others stand nearby. The scene appears to be from the past, in black and white.
u/SilentWalrus92 via Reddit.com

8. Children Playing in the Streets of Balsall Heath, Birmingham (UK), 1968

A group of children stand closely together outside, some smiling and posing for the camera. One child holds a ball. They are dressed in jackets and sweaters, and a brick wall is visible in the background.A group of children stand closely together outside, some smiling and posing for the camera. One child holds a ball. They are dressed in jackets and sweaters, and a brick wall is visible in the background.
u/MissNightTerrors via Reddit.com

9. Ok, So That Doesn’t Seem Particularly Safe …

Several children climb and hang from a tall, metal playground structure that resembles a large wheel, with one child standing on top with arms raised. The scene appears to be from a past era.Several children climb and hang from a tall, metal playground structure that resembles a large wheel, with one child standing on top with arms raised. The scene appears to be from a past era.
u/unl0veable via Reddit.com

10. A Daredevil in the Making

A child on a yellow bike is airborne performing a jump, while several children, some in yellow t-shirts, watch from the side of the street under a clear sky.A child on a yellow bike is airborne performing a jump, while several children, some in yellow t-shirts, watch from the side of the street under a clear sky.
u/onepersononeidea via Reddit.com

11. Something Tells Me a Waiver Was Not Signed

A young girl in a white dress sits on the back of a large alligator, holding a leash. The scene takes place outdoors on a path, with grass and people visible in the background.A young girl in a white dress sits on the back of a large alligator, holding a leash. The scene takes place outdoors on a path, with grass and people visible in the background.
u/SalzaMaBalza via Reddit.com

12. Playing Basketball Next to a Burning Building in Harlem, NYC, 1975

Children play basketball on a court as a nearby apartment building burns, smoke billowing from windows. Firefighters on ladders try to control the blaze, while bystanders watch from a distance.Children play basketball on a court as a nearby apartment building burns, smoke billowing from windows. Firefighters on ladders try to control the blaze, while bystanders watch from a distance.
u/RoyalHustle via Reddit.com

13. Don’t Worry, the Goalie Was Always on the Lookout for Cars

Five boys wearing hockey gear pose with hockey sticks in the middle of a street, with parked cars and a yellow taxi visible in the background. They appear ready for a game of street hockey.Five boys wearing hockey gear pose with hockey sticks in the middle of a street, with parked cars and a yellow taxi visible in the background. They appear ready for a game of street hockey.
u/petriomelony via Reddit.com

14. ‘We Were the First Kids in Our Neighborhood To Get a Nintendo’ (1989)

Two children sit on the floor of a bedroom watching a small TV, while another child sits on the bed. The room has balloons, colorful bedding, and soft lighting, creating a nostalgic atmosphere.Two children sit on the floor of a bedroom watching a small TV, while another child sits on the bed. The room has balloons, colorful bedding, and soft lighting, creating a nostalgic atmosphere.
u/sleepdeprivationland via Reddit.com

15. When a Shopping Cart Was All You Needed To Have Fun

Five smiling children stand and sit in a shopping cart on a sunny city sidewalk, surrounded by parked cars and trees, appearing playful and cheerful.Five smiling children stand and sit in a shopping cart on a sunny city sidewalk, surrounded by parked cars and trees, appearing playful and cheerful.
u/Mackteague via Reddit.com

16. Neighborhood Kids Playing War

A group of children dressed in winter clothes stand and sit against a brick wall with two windows, each holding a stick, with some smiling and others looking serious.A group of children dressed in winter clothes stand and sit against a brick wall with two windows, each holding a stick, with some smiling and others looking serious.
u/DiosMioMan63 via Reddit.com

17. Happiness Sourced From a Dog and a Banjo

A joyful child wearing a cap plays a banjo and sings while sitting next to a happy dog, both appearing to enjoy the moment outdoors near a wooden fence.A joyful child wearing a cap plays a banjo and sings while sitting next to a happy dog, both appearing to enjoy the moment outdoors near a wooden fence.
u/SnooCupcakes8607 via Reddit.com

18. A Simple Gaming Setup, 1985

A young child kneels on a red carpet, facing an old tube television on a small wooden stand. The child wears a colorful floral shirt, white socks with stripes, and sneakers, and glances back toward the camera.A young child kneels on a red carpet, facing an old tube television on a small wooden stand. The child wears a colorful floral shirt, white socks with stripes, and sneakers, and glances back toward the camera.
u/Andresmjc via Reddit.com

19. When an Abandoned Trolley Was a Playground, Not a Lawsuit Waiting to Happen

Six children smile and pose together on top of a large, old wooden rail cart with metal wheels, set outdoors on railway tracks. Palm trees and buildings are visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.Six children smile and pose together on top of a large, old wooden rail cart with metal wheels, set outdoors on railway tracks. Palm trees and buildings are visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
u/Hairy_Mechanic447 via Reddit.com

Nostalgic for more glimpses into the past?

Take a look at these 15 Photos of Church Outfits From Back in the Day and 18 Photos of Middle-Class Life in the ’70s vs. Today. You should also explore 15 Dreamy Photos of 1960s Weddings and 15 Design Trends That Scream 1990s to see just how different life looked in decades past.

The post These 19 Photos Prove Kids Don’t Play Like They Used To appeared first on Wealth Gang.

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