13 Childhood Fears That Were Totally Irrational
These bizarre childhood fears made perfect sense back then — but now they’re just hilarious.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Kids have wild imaginations, and with that comes a whole list of fears that seem absurd in hindsight. From everyday objects to nighttime shadows, anything could spark panic. Let’s revisit those strange things we were terrified of as kids — and laugh at how weird we were.
1. The Toilet Flushing at Night
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That loud whoosh in the dark was terrifying. It sounded like a portal to another world opening. Most kids flushed and sprinted out, as if their lives depended on it.
2. The Basement
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Dim lighting, creaky stairs, and that hum from the furnace? Instant dread. Basements were the go-to setting for imagined monsters. No one ever walked up those stairs — everyone ran.
3. Quicksand
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Thanks to cartoons and adventure movies, it seemed like quicksand was everywhere. A casual walk could turn into a life-or-death situation.
4. The Boogeyman
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An all-purpose creature of the dark with no clear shape or motive. Parents used the name to scare us straight. We believed he lived under beds or inside closets, just waiting.
5. Getting Sucked Down the Bathtub Drain
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The idea that a swirling puddle could pull you into a watery void felt totally real. Never mind physics or size differences — fear doesn’t do logic.
6. Loud Thunderstorms
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The sky booming like it was angry was Terrifying. Children would hide under the covers or dive into their parents’ bed. Now, it’s just cozy background noise.
7. The Dark
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Not what was in it, but what could be. Shadows transformed into creatures, coats turned into lurking figures. Light switches were lifesavers.
8. Dolls at Night
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Something about their blank stares and lifelike faces made them nightmare fuel, especially those with moving eyes. They were fine during the day, but at night? Nope.
9. Being Last to Leave School
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Being stuck in an empty classroom or silent hallway felt like the beginning of a horror film. Every sound echoed, every shadow looked suspicious.
10. The Doctor’s Needle
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It looked huge, and the wait made it worse. Some kids cried before it even came out. Now it’s a pinch — but then? It was pure dread.
11. Getting “Stuck” Making a Face
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We were told that if we crossed our eyes or stuck our tongue out too long, it could freeze that way. Spoiler: It can’t, but that didn’t stop us from quickly relaxing our faces just in case.
12. Elevators Falling
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Pushed too many movies, maybe, but we all imagined the cable snapping. Every bump during the ride made our hearts skip a beat. We even planned how to “jump” at the right time.
13. Saying “Bloody Mary” in the Mirror
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We all knew someone who claimed it worked. The bathroom mirror became a portal to panic. Nobody really believed it, but nobody wanted to risk it either.