18 Places Kids Visited After School in the 1960s

In the 1960s, afternoons spent by kids tended to wander further away from the home, and kids spent their afternoons roaming around the neighborhood, exploring familiar places where they would spend their afternoons lingering around. Rather than staying at home, kids spent their afternoons in different places where they would be able to wind down, play, and spend quality time with friends. Places such as candy stores, libraries, playgrounds, soda fountains, bowling alleys, diners, comic book stores, record stores, parks, recreation centers, and youth organizations provided a welcoming atmosphere for students to spend their afternoons after school let out.

1. The Local Corner Candy Store

The small candy store in the neighborhood was among the first destinations for kids after the final bell of the school day in the sixties. The store was usually located on busy street corners or alongside quiet residential streets, often owned and operated by families that knew every child in the neighborhood by name. The store counter boasted rows of glass jars filled with penny candy, licorice, jawbreakers, bubble gum, and colorful swirled taffy. Children entered the store still clad in their school sweaters, with straps from their books draped over their shoulders. The bell above the entrance chimed softly every time a child entered the store.

2. The Public Library

In the 1960s, public libraries transformed into quiet, inviting spaces for kids after school. Communities encouraged children to enter the library rather than play on the streets. Public library buildings were often located in groups near the town hall, park, or school. Inside the library, wooden bookshelves stood aligned with adventure books, history books, and colorful picture books on science. Librarians organized reading corners with long tables where students could complete their homework. The peaceful atmosphere made the library different from the noise of the classroom the students came from. Children browsed the library at their own pace, exploring the books. A student might find books on space travel, dinosaurs, or explorers.

3. The Neighborhood Playground

Playgrounds in the neighborhood became lively meeting points as the school bells disappeared in the 1960s. You could find playgrounds either adjacent to elementary school grounds or in local parks, where children could hear the screeching of the swings as they swung back and forth, running towards the “monkey bars.” The slides, made of shiny steel, reflected the sun as children quickly formed teams to engage in games of tag, hopscotch, or dodgeball. The playground provided a sense of liberty after the long hours spent in classrooms, and children spent time there until the sun set towards the horizon. Some brought games such as a rubber ball, jump rope, or marbles, but others simply enjoyed running on the grass.

4. The Soda Fountain Counter

Soda fountains were the next popular destination after school in the 1960s for all the neighborhood kids to hang out in. Many of these teenagers would be found inside tucked-away pharmacies or small drug stores with a polished counter down the entire length of the room and rotating stools in neat rows in front of it. The teenagers would climb up onto the stools and order a milkshake, a root beer float, or even a soda mixed right in front of them by the clerk behind the counter. The smell would be sweet with chocolate and vanilla, and the sound would be the clinking glasses and quiet hum of refrigerators in the background. Sometimes, all the teenagers would even share a large milkshake.

5. The Local Bowling Alley

Bowling alleys were also a favorite among teenagers in the 1960s, especially after school hours. The large rooms in the alleys would vibrate as the balls rolled down the lanes. Neon lights lined the path to the lanes, and the scoreboards clicked as the scores were entered into the system. Many of the centers welcomed teenagers and younger children in the afternoons. A group of students would come in together, still in their school attire, with books and jackets in tow. The noise of the pins hitting the lanes was cheerful and lively. The kids would take turns rolling the heavy balls down the lane towards the pins. Some of the kids took the game seriously, but others would laugh every time the ball went into the gutter.

6. The Neighborhood Corner Diner

Small diners served as informal hangouts for teens after school in the 1960s in various small towns. The diners had lined up booths along one wall and a long counter in front of the kitchen. The stools had chrome finishes and shone in the bright lighting, creating a lively atmosphere. The teens entered the diner still wearing their sweaters and jackets from school, and the aroma of burgers and freshly brewed coffee filled the air. While adults visited the diner, the snacks attracted the younger crowds. The menu offered simple meals like a hamburger, cheese sandwich, or pie, and teens could share fries and discuss their favorite high school activities or weekend plans.

7. The Comic Book Shop

Comic book stores and magazine stores were popular hangouts for kids after school in the 1960s. These comfortable stores were situated alongside grocery stores or in the heart of downtown, with wooden shelves stacked with colorful comics that seemed to catch a child’s eye in an instant. The shelves were lined with popular comics like Superman, Batman, and the Fantastic Four, with stories waiting to be devoured in each corner of the store. Kids would walk into the store with coins in their pockets, saved especially to buy a new issue of their favorite comic. The sound of coins jingling in their pockets was like music to the store’s ambiance.

8. The Local Record Store

The record stores in the 1960s became popular hangouts for young people after school. They blasted popular music from their loudspeakers, giving music enthusiasts a high from listening to their newly purchased music. Records were arranged in rows in their corresponding square sleeves adorned with eye-catching artwork. Young people roamed around the aisles of the record store in search of records featuring their favorite artists. The music was a mix of rock, pop, and soul as the day progressed. People lingered around the listening stations, listening to music before deciding to buy a record. People talked about their favorite new bands and even fought over their favorite songs.

9. The City Park

City parks in the 1960s were inviting places where kids would congregate after class. The scene was set with lush fields of grass, trees, and meandering pathways. A group of students would soon arrive, and the scene was set for the kids to create their own playground. Some kids played baseball with sticks or makeshift baseball bats, while others bounced rubber balls on the grass. The fresh air and space gave the students a breather from the school-day excitement, letting it all out in large doses of joy. They often stayed until late in the afternoon or until dusk. Some of the kids climbed the trees, while others rode the paved pathways on their bicycles.

10. The Community Recreation Center

Community recreation centers were busy centers of activity for kids after school in the 1960s. The centers tended to be located near public parks or inside buildings in the city. Inside, there were ping-pong tables, basketball hoops, and floors to run around on, and kids could engage in all sorts of activities. Kids would come in with their schoolbooks and jackets, eager to stretch their legs after a long day of sitting in class. The staff was helpful in keeping everything running efficiently, encouraging kids to participate in friendly competitions and activities. The atmosphere was lively and inviting, and kids would rush in for fast-paced basketball or roll out board games.

11. The Local YMCA

The YMCA, or Young Men’s Christian Association, was a common sight for kids to hang around after school in the 1960s. YMCA is a community organization that provides a facility full of gyms and swimming pools where kids’ programs are in full swing. After the final bell rings, kids walk in with their friends to participate in various programs held in these centers. Coaches and other volunteers took charge of all programs, organizing sports and physical activities for kids. The sound of basketballs was all around the gym, while kids enjoyed swimming in the adjacent swimming pools. Kids enjoyed their time participating in sports and learning how to become disciplined members of society.

12. The Ice Cream Parlor

The ice cream parlors welcomed children after school in the 1960s, as the bright presence of the ice cream shops lined the main streets and shopping areas. Children entered the ice cream shop after a long day at school, bringing the excitement of the day into the shop as the smell of waffle cones enveloped them, along with the hum of the freezer in the back. The children decided on chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, or mint as the ice cream of choice, weighing the decision before settling on the banana split or sundae covered in ice cream, syrup, and whipped cream. The children sat around small tables, discussing the events of the day as the sound of laughter echoed through the shop.

13. The School Gymnasium After Hours

It was common for schools in the 1960s to open the gym after the final bell so students could linger and play. The vast space within the school came alive with time as the minutes ticked by with increasing student presence in the gym. The wood on the basketball court gleamed in the bright lights shining down on it. The students would place their school bags against the walls and play basketball in the gym. The sound of balls bouncing echoed through the space within minutes. Some students would be practicing their shots at the basket, while others would be enjoying the rush of sprinting across the polished floor.

14. The Neighborhood Baseball Field

The baseball fields were always filled with large numbers of children after school in the 1960s, primarily because they were nestled within local parks or alongside school grounds. The students came to school with their gloves or bats or even rubber balls in hand, and it was easy to form baseball teams—some successful and others making do with informal games with friends in the neighborhood. The sound of a bat hitting a ball echoed through the baseball fields, with each child getting their turn at batting, pitching, and catching fly balls over the grassy outfield. Even the younger children were able to play in these games, with basic positions at the bases.

15. The Hobby and Model Shop

Hobby shops were the dreams of many after-school children in the 1960s. Inside the stores, model airplanes, train sets, toy cars, and small craft kits could be found on the shelves. In glass cases, beautifully painted models made by experienced hobbyists could also be admired. Curious students passed by the stores, admiring the detailed items on display. Shelves were stacked with boxes of model airplanes that could be assembled with care. The smell of glue and fresh paint was in the air. Many children left the stores with small model airplane kits that could be assembled at home. However, others came to simply appreciate the beautiful displays. Some of the children came back week after week, buying more parts for their ongoing projects.

16. The Public Swimming Pool

Public swimming pools became a favorite hangout for children after school in the 1960s. This was particularly true during warm weather. Many towns constructed spacious outdoor swimming pools within their local parks. Children would walk to their local pool with their friends as soon as their school day was over. The blue waters sparkled in the sunlight as a lifeguard sat in a high chair, keeping watch. Children placed their towels and bags alongside the fence before diving into the cool waters. Splashes from diving and shouts of laughter soon echoed in the pool area. Children spent their time in the pool swimming or competing to cross the pool in different lanes.

17. The Church Youth Hall

Many children found a welcoming place in the church youth halls after school in the 1960s, and the buildings stood beside the churches, providing warm, welcoming spaces for youth activities. Inside, folding tables and chairs filled the large space, and students came in to participate in activities or just to spend time with friends. The students were under the guidance and care of volunteers and church leaders, and a friendly and supportive environment was created for them. Children concentrated on board games, music, or youth discussion groups, and some youth halls offered sports activities and community service clubs. The youth hall provided a safe and welcoming place for students to meet friends and receive positive values.

18. The Neighborhood Movie Theater

The local movie theater was another place that attracted after-school youth in the 1960s, especially if it was situated in downtown areas or along major shopping routes. Colorful marquees with neon signs flashed, and colorful posters announced the latest releases, while students gathered at the ticket booth window to decide which movie to watch. Inside, red seats were lined up in neat rows to face a large screen that glowed with a soft light in the dim room, and in the lobby, the enticing smell of popcorn wafted through the air. The afternoon matinee would feature adventure films, westerns, and family comedies, and students would share bags of popcorn and discuss the exciting scenes playing out in front of them.

• Tags:
• throwback
• Kids
• Childhood
• after-school
• 1960s