What Kids Used to Do for Fun in the 1950s
- 1 Indoor Activities. During the 1950s, games, including checkers, marbles and chess as well as card games, such as go...
- 2 Outdoor Adventures. Although parental discipline tended to be more authoritarian, in the 1950s, children generally...
- 3 "It's Howdy Doody Time". The freckled Howdy Doody marionette was beloved by children in...
What did people do for fun in the 1950s?
What Did People Do for Fun in the 1950s? In the 1950s, people enjoyed going to local dance establishments, movie theaters and skating rinks or simply gathering around their television sets while the children played nearby. Many people of this decade lived in the suburbs of the post-war housing boom and found their entertainment close to home.
What did kids play with in the 1950s?
In the 1950s, children largely played with each other and outside. They roamed and explored the great outdoors, picked wildflowers and blackberries, played dress-up, fished, read books and climbed trees. The most important toy they had were their imaginations. When kids did play with toys, those toys were simple.
What was life like for babies in the 1950s?
Babies were not born in hospital Most babies were born at home in the 1950s. #3. Toys were not the toys we know today Toys could be made from sticks, stones and even matches! Shop bought toys were a real treat such as comics, dolls and marbles. Lots of toys were handed down from child to child. #4. Children didn’t usually stay in school until 18/19
What did they do for fun in the 1800s?
They roamed and explored the great outdoors, picked wildflowers and blackberries, played dress-up, fished, read books and climbed trees. The most important toy they had were their imaginations. When kids did play with toys, those toys were simple.
What were popular activities in the 1950s?
1 Indoor Activities During the 1950s, games, including checkers, marbles and chess as well as card games, such as go fish or old maid, kept children amused during long rainy days. In addition, hot new games such as Scrabble had just been introduced in the late 1940s, and by 1952, its makers were selling 400 sets a day.
What were kids doing in the 1950s?
Families enjoyed playing board games such as Monopoly and Snakes and Ladders, which still exist today. Popular hobbies and toys included stamp collecting, playing with yo-yos, 3D-spectacles and hoola hoops. Plastic toys became very popular in the 1950s.
What activities did teens do in the 1950s?
The 1950s were marked by the emergence of a distinct teen culture. Seeking to distance themselves from the culture of their parents, teenagers turned to rock and roll music and youth-oriented television programs and movies—all packaged for them through new marketing strategies targeting their demographic.
What were some hobbies in the 1950s?
The Detroit Tribune highlighted some of the hobbies enjoyed by local high school students in 1956, which included bowling, skating, making model planes, and collecting jazz albums. “Turning Rocks into Jewelry,” Evening Star (Washington, DC), May 10, 1953.
What was entertainment like in the 1950s?
People were able to watch movies on the big screen while parked in their cars. Movies brought families together through the years. Radios and music were another favorite in the 50's. During this time over 90% of people owned a radio.
What did kids do for fun in the past?
Children would share toys such as hoops, marbles and skipping ropes. Other games included tag and hopscotch – which are still played in schools and playgrounds today. In the 1930s, many families were too poor to afford manufactured toys, which meant children would have to find creative ways of making their own fun.
What was high school like in the 50s?
School Life in the 1950's was harder than today because the facilities were few and inadequate. Teachers were stricter and corporal punishment was still in use. They had fewer subjects and wealth, discrimination, sexism and racism meant they could only do certain subjects.
What did people do in their leisure time in the 1950s?
Americans enjoyed many activites during the 50s. They took up golfing, bowling, fishing, boating, and hunting. Many fans began to attend professional sports game, such as football, basketball, and baseball games. Others watched games on their televisions.
What were the most popular board games in the 1950s?
Board games. Board games like Scrabble, Yahtzee, and Tactics were popular in the 1950s. Jimmy Rosen shared this photo of a family playing Carrom. “The two-sided square board features a checkers side and crokinole side,” says Jimmy Rosen of Duncannon, Pennsylvania.
Where was the Good Humor Man in 1958?
The Lang family was happy to see the Good Humor Man this August Day in 1958 in Belmar, New Jersey. Neighborhood kids kept an ear out for the “ting-a-ling” so they could go get Mom and her purse.
What was Zip the monkey's favorite toy?
Zip the Monkey. “Summers in the 1950s were great fun. One of my favorite toys was Zip the Monkey. He had a black plush body with a rubber face, ears, and hands. He wore a yellow shirt with ‘ZIP’ printed on the front, red corduroy pants with suspenders, a red hat, and white rubber shoes.
What were the most popular toys in the 1950s?
Children celebrated their birthdays with parties at skating rinks. Hula Hoops, Barbie dolls and electric train sets are representative toys of the 1950s. All ages enjoyed dancing and dancing lessons. Many people took their entire families to drive-in movie theaters. Favorite films of the era included "Rebel Without a Cause" and "Giant".
Who were the stars of the 1950s?
James Dean and Marilyn Monroe are iconic stars of the 50s. Children preferred the matinee westerns shown at local theaters starring Gene Autry or Roy Rogers. Much of the fun of the 1950s was family oriented and centered around the children of the post-war baby boom. ADVERTISEMENT.
What was the most important toy for kids?
The most important toy they had were their imaginations. When kids did play with toys, those toys were simple. For example, marbles and jacks were popular, as were skipping ropes, bicycles, balls and bats, and ball throwers and catchers. The jigsaw puzzle was just becoming popular, although it was still a pricey toy.
What were the toys that Disney made in 1955?
Children enjoyed dolls and models of boats and trains. Around 1955, toys branched out to include Disney-themed products such as Mickey and Minnie Mouse buckets. There were even toys designed to be played with inside. For instance, miniature coloring books were produced. There were board games available such as chess.
What did children play with in the 1950s?
What Did Children Play With in the 1950's? In the 1950s, children largely played with each other and outside. They roamed and explored the great outdoors, picked wildflowers and blackberries, played dress-up, fished, read books and climbed trees. The most important toy they had were their imaginations.
