Lisa O
Growing up in the ’80s and ’90s was its own kind of magic, packed with memories that kids today might struggle to picture. With tech evolving at warp speed and society changing so much, a lot of the everyday things that defined childhood back then have faded into history. Let’s stroll down memory lane and revisit 15 childhood experiences that today’s kids probably wouldn’t get.
Waiting for your favorite song on the radio.
You’d spend ages glued to the radio, waiting for your favorite song to play. And when it finally came on, you’d dash to press the record button on your cassette player. But then the DJ would start talking over the intro and mess up your perfect recording. This entire hectic process taught you patience, and every complete recording felt like a big win.
Prank calling before caller ID.
Before caller ID was a thing, prank calls were the go-to mischief for many kids. You’d dial a random number or pick someone straight out of the phone book, trying not to crack up while saying something ridiculous. It was cheeky, a little naughty, but mostly harmless fun. These days, though, it’s easily traceable—and not considered okay.
Saturday mornings with cartoons.
Saturday mornings were a big deal for kids. You’d wake up early, grab a bowl of cereal, and put yourself in front of the TV for hours of cartoons. It was the one time you could catch your favorite shows, and if you missed them by any chance, you had to wait a whole week for the next episode. Imagine how lucky we are to have streaming apps like Netflix now.
Using encyclopedias for homework.
Back in the day, when you needed information for your school project, you had to take help from encyclopedias (yes, seriously). Those hefty books were packed with knowledge, but finding what you needed could take forever. You’d flip through the pages, chasing cross-references from one topic to the next. Half the time, you’d get totally sidetracked by random facts and illustrations that had nothing to do with what you were looking for.
Blowing into game cartridges to fix them.
When your game console wouldn’t read the cartridge, your first move was always to yank it out and blow into it. This was the ultimate fix for any gaming issue. You’d do it again and again, hoping it’d somehow bring your game back to life. Thinking back, it probably didn’t help much, but it felt like the only thing that made sense at the time.
Flipping through the phone book.
Before smartphones, if you needed a business or a friend’s number, you had to dig through a huge phone book. You had to know how to alphabetize and use those little tabs to flip through it fast. If the person you were looking for had a common name, you might end up dialing a bunch of wrong numbers before finding the right one. It was a real hassle, especially when you were trying to reach someone fast.
Making cootie catchers and fortune tellers.
These origami-style paper toys were a total childhood classic. You’d carefully fold them into those perfect shapes and write goofy or mysterious fortunes inside. Then, you’d gather with friends, pick numbers and colors, and watch as it revealed your “future”—usually something silly but always fun. It was such a simple thing, but it kept you entertained for ages, especially during those class breaks when you were just trying to pass the time.
Using the library card catalog.
Finding books at the library back then meant digging through those tiny drawers full of index cards. You had to search for your topic, jot down the call numbers, and then go on a little book hunt through the shelves. It felt more like a treasure hunt every time you had to do some research for a school project.
Using paper maps.
Not too long ago, no one would even think about starting a road trip without a stack of maps in the glove compartment. People used to pay attention to road signs, rely on physical maps, and even ask locals for directions way more than we do now. These days, all kids know is that robotic voice from Google Maps telling you where to go on your phone.
Using a phone booth to call.
Before cell phones, if you needed to make a call when you were out, you had to find a phone booth. You’d squeeze into this tiny glass box, shut the folding door for some privacy, and pray you had enough coins. Then, you’d dial your number and try to keep it short, all while knowing impatient people were waiting outside.
Playing games on floppy disks.
Computer games used to come on floppy disks, which you had to carefully slide into your computer. Loading a game could take forever, and you might need to swap disks a few times while playing. The satisfying click of pushing in a floppy disk is something today’s kids will never experience.
Returning VHS tapes through the drop box.
After watching your rented movie, you had to remember to return it on time to avoid those dreaded late fees. Most video stores had outdoor drop boxes for after-hours returns. You’d drive by, roll down the window, and slide the video through the slot, hoping it landed inside without a hitch. There was something strangely satisfying about hearing that thud as it hit the bottom of the box.
Writing notes in class.
Before smartphones and messaging apps were in the picture, you had to write a note if you wanted to talk to a friend during class. You’d fold it into a tiny square or some cool shape. The most exciting part was trying to pass it to your friend without getting caught by the teacher. It was super risky, but it made an otherwise boring class a lot more exciting.
Waking up to a real alarm clock.
Before smartphones, you had to rely on a good old alarm clock to get you up. Every night, you’d have to remember to set it and double-check the time. And let’s be honest, the snooze button was both your best friend and your worst enemy. Some kids even set two alarms just to be safe and make sure they didn’t sleep through something important like a test or a big event.
Taking pictures with a film camera.
Taking photos used to be way more thoughtful back then. Each film roll had a limited number of shots, so you had to pick your moments very carefully. You couldn’t see your pics immediately, and you never knew if you got a good shot until the film was developed. It made every photo feel way more special and memorable.