10 Childhood Superstitions That Everyone Took Seriously
Here's a playful yet haunting dive into the quirky superstitions that ruled our childhoods — where cracked sidewalks, watermelon seeds, and singing at dinner could shape our destinies.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Childhood is a time when imagination and belief collide — and few things capture that better than the superstitions we once took as truth. From dodging sidewalk cracks to holding our breath past cemeteries, these odd little rules shaped how we moved through the world, often with wide eyes and racing hearts. This piece explores 10 unforgettable childhood superstitions, revealing how fear, wonder, and tradition created a secret code of behavior that many of us never quite outgrew.
1. Step on a Crack, Break Your Mother’s Back
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This one haunted every childhood hopscotch game. Kids would jump, skip, and contort themselves just to avoid sidewalk cracks, terrified they might accidentally doom their poor mom. It was silly, sure — but in that moment, superstition felt like sacred law.
2. Don’t Open an Umbrella Indoors
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This wasn’t just about space — it was a curse waiting to happen. Parents and teachers would warn kids that opening an umbrella inside would bring bad luck, maybe even cause an accident. You didn’t need proof; the idea alone made you snap it shut as fast as possible.
3. Swallowing a Watermelon Seed Will Make One Grow in Your Stomach
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Many kids refused to eat watermelon unless it was pre-cleaned of all seeds. The thought of a giant fruit vine bursting out of your belly was enough to ruin a summer picnic. It made biology sound like horror.
4. If You Cross Your Eyes, They’ll Get Stuck That Way
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This belief turned harmless play into a lifelong fear. A funny face suddenly came with a warning: don’t tempt fate, or you might be stuck like that forever. Every kid believed it the moment an adult said it with a serious face.
5. Breaking a Mirror Means Seven Years of Bad Luck
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There was something terrifyingly specific about the “seven years” part. One slip and your entire childhood could be cursed with misfortune, from lost toys to bad grades. Kids handled mirrors like precious relics because of this.
6. Holding Your Breath While Passing a Cemetery
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This quiet, eerie ritual felt like a sign of respect — or a defense against spirits. Kids would puff up their cheeks and go silent in the car, waiting until the last gravestone passed. Exhaling too soon felt like inviting a ghost into your lungs.
7. Make a Wish at 11:11
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Once a friend told you about it, you could never unsee the clock at 11:11. That moment became magical, no matter where you were. If you saw it, you had to close your eyes and make a wish. It was a tiny pocket of hope in the middle of the day.
8. Eating the Crust of Bread Makes Your Hair Curly
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Depending on your hair goals, this was either a promise or a threat. Parents often used it to convince kids to stop wasting the crusts, as if bread held some follicle-altering power. Many kids inspected their curls in the mirror the next day, waiting for signs of transformation.
9. Tooth Fairy Won’t Come If You’re Awake
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This one turned bedtime into a sacred ceremony. The excitement of a tooth under your pillow came with a strict rule: sleep, or miss your prize. It added mystery and wonder to what was otherwise a mundane dental loss.
10. Don’t Sing at the Dinner Table or You’ll Marry a Crazy Person
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This odd superstition had kids clamming up instantly at dinner. It came out of nowhere, often from an older relative with a totally serious tone. Even if you didn’t know what “crazy” meant exactly, it was enough to keep your mouth shut and pass the peas.