13 Ways Kids Entertained Themselves Before Screens
Long before smartphones and tablets, kids found countless creative ways to pass the time and stay entertained.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Before the arrival of digital gadgets, children used their imaginations to pass the time. From backyard expeditions to fictitious competitions, the most exciting exploits were sometimes the results of boredom. Let’s look back at 13 ways that youngsters enjoyed themselves without ever using a screen.
1. Building Forts
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Building forts was a favorite pastime, whether in the living room with couch cushions or in the backyard with sticks and tarps. Every fort felt like a private kingdom, sparking hours of role-playing and secret meetings.
2. Riding Bikes Everywhere
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Bikes weren’t just toys; they were tickets to freedom. Kids would pedal through neighborhoods, parks, and trails for hours without checking in.
3. Playing Marbles
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A pocket full of marbles could turn any patch of dirt into a battleground. Kids honed their aim and strategy while trying to knock opponents’ marbles out of the ring.
4. Climbing Trees
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Finding the perfect climbing tree was a badge of honor. Whether you got a few feet up or all the way to a high branch, it felt like reaching the top of the world.
5. Jump Rope and Rhymes
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A jump rope and some catchy rhymes turned sidewalks into lively playgrounds. Kids would compete for the most skips or invent new songs to jump to.
6. Board Games on Rainy Days
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When the weather turned sour, board games came out in full force. Classics like Monopoly, Clue, and Candy Land created hours of friendly (and sometimes not-so-friendly) competition.
7. Exploring the Woods
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If you lived near a wooded area, it was like having your own wild kingdom to explore. Kids created trails, built hidden forts, and imagined epic quests.
8. Collecting Things
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Collecting was a serious business, from rocks and stamps to baseball cards and stickers. Kids took pride in growing and showing off their collections.
9. Playing Hide and Seek
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Few games brought more heart-pounding excitement than hide and seek. Whether it was in the yard or inside a house, finding the perfect hiding spot was a triumph.
10. Roller Skating
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Roller skates turned driveways, sidewalks, and parking lots into endless fun zones. Sometimes, you’d just coast along; other times, you’d organize races or impromptu “figure skating” shows.
11. Making Up Games
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When structured games got boring, kids simply invented their own. From elaborate backyard Olympics to made-up card games, imagination was the only limit.
12. Chalk Art on Sidewalks
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Sidewalk chalk transformed boring concrete into colorful masterpieces. Kids drew hopscotch boards, murals, and obstacle courses with endless creativity.
13. Telling Ghost Stories
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When the sun went down, ghost stories took center stage. Kids gathered with flashlights or around campfires to scare each other silly.