18 Things Kids Got Away With in the ’60s That Would Be Arrestable Now
Ah, the 1960s—a time when kids ran wild, helmets were optional (or nonexistent), and nobody thought twice about cramming half the neighborhood into the back of a station wagon. If you grew up during this era, chances are you did things that would send today’s safety-conscious parents into a full-blown panic attack.
From hitchhiking to handling fireworks like they were party favors, childhood in the ’60s was basically a real-life survival challenge that no one realized they were participating in.
1. Riding in the Back of a Pickup Truck Like It Was a Convertible
Back in the ’60s, if your family had a pickup truck, congratulations—you had the most exciting, wind-in-your-hair, no-seatbelt-required ride in town. Kids would pile into the truck bed, sit on the wheel wells, and let the wind whip through their hair as Dad floored it down the highway.
Today? Forget it. Strapping a kid into a booster seat is practically a federal mandate, and letting them ride in the back of a truck? That’ll earn you a hefty fine—and possibly a visit from child services.
2. Buying Cigarettes… as a Kid
Need to pick up a pack of smokes for Dad? No problem—just hand a ten-year-old a dollar and send them to the corner store. Store clerks had no issue selling cigarettes to kids as long as they claimed it was for their parents.
Nowadays, not only is selling cigarettes to a minor a serious crime, but sending your kid on an errand like this would get you reported faster than you can say “secondhand smoke.”
3. Playing with Actual Fireworks, No Supervision Required
Fireworks weren’t just for the 4th of July—they were an everyday adventure for kids back in the ’60s. Cherry bombs, Roman candles, and M-80s were all fair game, and the only rule was “Don’t blow off a finger.”
Today, kids caught lighting fireworks without adult supervision can face fines, confiscation, and in some places, criminal charges. The ’60s were basically the Wild West when it came to pyrotechnics.
4. Hitchhiking Without a Second Thought
Need a ride to town? Just stick out your thumb and wait for a friendly stranger to pick you up! Hitchhiking was a common way for kids and teens to get around, and nobody batted an eye.
Try that today, and you’d be lucky if a police officer picked you up first. Hitchhiking is now widely discouraged due to safety concerns—and rightly so.
5. Shooting BB Guns at Each Other for Fun
BB gun fights were practically a rite of passage. Kids would run through backyards, taking aim at each other, and as long as no one lost an eye, it was all in good fun.
Nowadays, even carrying a BB gun in public can get the police involved. Not to mention, parents would never let their kids turn the neighborhood into a makeshift battlefield.
6. Walking to School Alone… for Miles
Parents in the ’60s would send their kids off to school with a wave and a “See you at dinner!” Whether it was a mile away or five, kids walked, biked, or took public transport without any supervision.
Today, letting your child walk to school alone in some areas could lead to a CPS investigation. Helicopter parenting has changed the game.
7. Drinking from the Garden Hose
If you were thirsty, you didn’t run inside for filtered, pH-balanced water. You turned on the hose, took a big gulp, and hoped for the best.
Now? Parents wouldn’t dream of letting their kids drink from an unfiltered hose due to concerns about lead, bacteria, and who-knows-what-else lurking in the pipes.
8. Climbing to the Top of a 12-Foot Jungle Gym Over Concrete
Playground equipment in the ’60s was designed to test your survival skills. Steel monkey bars, towering jungle gyms, and blazing hot metal slides—all positioned over hard asphalt or concrete.
Fast forward to today, and you won’t find a playground without soft rubber mats and safety rails. The ’60s playgrounds were basically obstacle courses for daredevils.
9. Trick-or-Treating Without Parents, Long After Dark
Halloween night in the ’60s meant kids roamed the neighborhood in homemade costumes, collecting candy from strangers until the porch lights went out. No parental supervision required.
Now, trick-or-treating is practically a guided tour, with parents tracking every step via smartphone GPS.
10. Riding Bicycles Without Helmets… or Brakes
Who needed a helmet when you had good reflexes? Kids sped down streets, jumped curbs, and took on steep hills with no head protection—and often, barely functioning brakes.
Today, wearing a helmet is the law in many places, and letting your kid ride without one might land you in hot water.
11. Jumping Off a Roof Because “It Looked Fun”
Got a cape and a little imagination? That’s all you needed to convince yourself you could fly off the garage roof. If comic book superheroes could do it, why couldn’t you?
Of course, gravity always won, and most landings resulted in bruises, scrapes, or a sprained ankle at worst. Today, a stunt like this would not only land a kid in the hospital but also leave parents explaining themselves to concerned authorities.
12. Riding in a Car Without a Seatbelt… or Seats
Kids in the ’60s sat in the front seat, back seat, or even on the floor of the car. Seatbelts? Barely used. Some kids even napped on the rear window shelf during long road trips, turning a family sedan into a rolling playroom.
Fast-forward to today, and failing to buckle up a child properly can result in hefty fines and legal trouble. Modern laws require car seats, boosters, and enough safety precautions to make a NASA engineer proud.
13. Bringing a Pocket Knife to School—Just Because
In the ’60s, carrying a pocket knife wasn’t seen as a threat; it was just a handy tool. Boys often had them in their pockets for whittling sticks, playing games, or even cutting their lunchtime apples.
Nowadays, bringing a pocket knife to school would result in immediate suspension, a police report, and possibly an expulsion hearing.
14. Setting Up Lemonade Stands Without a Permit
Back then, if a kid wanted to make some extra cash, they’d set up a roadside lemonade stand—no licenses, health codes, or permits needed. Neighbors happily dropped a few cents for a warm, slightly over-sugared cup of lemonade.
Today, many cities require business permits and food safety compliance, meaning an innocent lemonade stand could technically be shut down by the health department.
15. Making a Flamethrower with a Can of Aerosol and a Lighter
It wasn’t uncommon for kids to discover the magic of holding a lighter in front of an aerosol can and creating a mini flamethrower. This dangerous but fascinating experiment was just another afternoon science project for many.
Today, this would result in immediate intervention from fire marshals, school suspensions, and possibly an arson charge.
16. Sneaking into Movie Theaters Without Paying
A few kids would buy one ticket, then sneak the rest of the group in through the back door. Ushers might have caught them and given them a stern talking-to, but that was usually the worst consequence.
Now, with high-tech security and digital ticketing, getting caught could mean trespassing charges—or at the very least, a viral shaming on social media.
17. Playing in Abandoned Houses Like They Were Clubhouses
Vacant buildings were irresistible playgrounds for kids in the ’60s. Whether it was a deserted house, an old barn, or a forgotten factory, these places became forts, hideouts, and adventure zones.
Today, stepping foot in an abandoned building is considered trespassing, and if anything happens—like a broken leg—parents could find themselves in serious legal trouble.
18. Buying Firearms Through a Mail-Order Catalog
It may sound unbelievable now, but in the ’60s, teenagers (and even younger kids) could order firearms through mail-order catalogs. No background checks, no waiting periods—just fill out the form, send a check, and wait for the rifle to arrive at your doorstep.
These days, even attempting this would trigger a full-blown federal investigation, not to mention nationwide outrage.