13 Things Kids Used to Do for Fun Before Phones Took Over
Before smartphones took over, kids found endless joy and adventure in simple, screen-free activities that sparked imagination, friendship, and real-world fun.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Prior to the advent of smartphones, childhood was an experiential journey of hands-on discoveries and social gameplay that nurtured creativity, physical activity, and authentic human connection. Children spent their days discovering the outdoors, constructing forts, playing sports, and exchanging stories in the form of books, board games, and pen-and-paper letters. These ageless pursuits not only ignited imagination but also instilled valuable life skills and memories beyond any screen.
1. Playing Outside Until Dark
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Children would spend whole afternoons on bikes, climbing trees, or simply running around with buddies. The neighborhood was their play area, and “come indoors when the streetlights come on” was the evening curfew. These adventures developed social skills, physical endurance, and imagination through unstructured play.
2. Board Games and Card Games
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Families and friends would sit around the table to play oldies like Monopoly, Scrabble, or Go Fish. These games instilled strategy, math knowledge, and gracious winning and losing in children. Board games also provided sweet bonding time that didn’t involve screens or batteries.
3. Building Forts and Treehouses
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With blankets, boxes, or wood trimmings, children crafted hidden hideaways in backyards or living rooms. They turned forts into kingdoms, spaceships, or secret clubs where anything was possible. Fort-building promoted teamwork, problem-solving, and independence.
4. Collecting Cards or Toys
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From Pokémon cards to baseball cards or small action figures, children enjoyed collecting and exchanging their favorite things. The excitement of discovering a collectible card or filling a set was half the fun. This activity educated children about value, bargaining, and social interaction.
5. Reading Books and Comics
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Without the distractions of digital media, children frequently lost themselves in the pages of books or comic strips. Libraries were a treasure chest of information where children would find new worlds and concepts. Reading enhanced literacy and fuelled the imagination, and so it was a top pastime activity for most.
6. Jump Rope and Hopscotch
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Easy but lively games such as hopscotch and jump rope kept children moving and balanced. The games usually had catchy rhymes or counting tasks that provided rhythm and amusement. They were simple to organize anywhere and did not need costly equipment.
7. Playing Tag and Hide-and-Seek
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Traditional games such as hide-and-seek and tag were common in each neighborhood and school yard. These encouraged agility, quick thinking, and peer play. They needed no equipment, only a friend or two to play with and some open space.
8. Listening to Radio Shows or Music on a Walkman
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Prior to streaming, children listened to radio dramas or music via carry-around cassette players such as the Walkman. This was an intimate method of listening to stories, songs, or even learning something new while traveling, and it also assisted in instilling a love for audio entertainment.
9. Crafting and DIY Projects
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Arts and crafts, such as making friendship bracelets, painting, or model-making, enabled children to express themselves creatively physically. They involved gathering materials and acquiring new skills in small, incremental steps. Producing something with one’s own hands offered a long-lasting feeling of pride.
10. Playing Sports in the Street or Park
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Basketball, soccer, baseball — children played these sports wherever they had room. Pickup games instilled teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship, providing children with fresh air and exercise. Sports also engendered lifelong friendships and a sense of belonging.
11. Watching Saturday Morning Cartoons
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For most, the Saturday/Sunday ritual was sitting around the television to watch cartoons such as The Smurfs or Looney Tunes. These were humorous, adventurous, and sometimes educational, all presented in a half-hour dose of television time. Anticipation and viewing together made it a communal activity.
12. Writing Letters and Pen Pals
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Prior to instant messaging, children wrote letters to friends or pen friends overseas, at times from a different country. This slower and more reflective communication instilled patience and writing. Getting a handwritten letter in the mail was thrilling and intimate.
13. Going to the Library or Bookstore
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Library or bookstore outings were special occasions when children chose new books to read or purchase. The physical environment with shelves of stories invited discovery and exploration. It also linked children with librarians or staff to suggest new favorites and promote reading behaviors.