If you’ve got kids and you grew up in the 80s, 90s, or even the early 2000s, there’s a good chance you’ve caught yourself thinking, “They’ll never know how good we had it.” And to be fair, you’re kind of right. Our childhoods came with a whole mix of stuff that was fun, weird, and low-tech in the best possible way.
Now, sharing that with your kids? That’s where the magic happens. Whether you want to show them what made your own childhood so brilliant or just take a little walk down memory lane with some company, here are some easy and fun ways to do it.
Saturday Morning Cartoons
There was something special about waking up early on a Saturday, grabbing a bowl of cereal, and watching cartoons for hours. No streaming. No skip intro. Just whatever was on, when it was on.
You can easily recreate that with your kids by picking a morning, setting up a few classic episodes on YouTube or a DVD, and watching together with some snacks. Shows like The Animaniacs, DuckTales, Hey Arnold!, or Rugrats still hold up surprisingly well. And the best part? You get to watch them again guilt-free.
Disposable Cameras
Kids now take 100 selfies and delete 98 of them. But remember the buzz of waiting for your photos to be developed? You had no idea what you were going to get. Sometimes it was a thumb over the lens. Sometimes it was the perfect snap.
Give your child a disposable camera and let them take pictures for a day. Then take the film in to be developed together. The wait alone is something they’ll find wild, and when those pictures come back, it’s a lovely surprise to share.
Making Mix CDs Or Tapes
Music means everything when you’re growing up, and creating a mix of songs for someone was basically the original love language. You don’t need to find a cassette recorder or even a blank CD (unless you want to go all-in). Just sit down with your child and create a playlist together.
Tell them why each song meant something to you and ask them to add their own picks too. It’s a fun way to connect, plus you might actually get them into some of your old favorites.
Old-School Video Games
Forget 4K graphics and online multiplayer. Bring out the pixelated goodness. If you’ve still got an old console lying around like a Sega Mega Drive or a PlayStation 1, get it plugged in and introduce your child to the joys of Crash Bandicoot, Sonic, or Street Fighter.
No console? No problem. Many of those classic games are now available to download or stream. You can even find browser-based versions of the simple games we used to play at school, like minesweeper. You might be surprised how hooked your kids get once they realise how challenging and satisfying those old-school games really are.
Classic Toys And Board Games
Before iPads and game controllers took over, we had some pretty great toys. Think Tamagotchis, Troll dolls, Polly Pocket, Hot Wheels, and yo-yos. The good news is, a lot of these have made a comeback and are easy to find online.
Board games are another easy win. Guess Who, Connect Four, Mouse Trap, and Operation still bring a lot of laughs. There’s something about a real board game on the kitchen table that brings people together in a way that screens don’t.
Retro Sweets And Snacks
There’s no quicker way to go back in time than with food. Those snacks you used to love as a kid? Find them again and do a taste test with your child. Think Hubba Bubba, Fruit Winders, Frosties cereal bars, Sherbet Fountains, or Panda Pops.
They might pull a face at some of your favourites, or they might end up loving them. Either way, it’s something different and fun to try. Plus, it’s a great excuse to stock up on snacks without having to hide them.
Making Dens And Blanket Forts
You don’t need a lot of space or fancy materials. A few chairs, some blankets, and a bit of imagination is all it takes to build a proper den. Once it’s made, you can climb in together with some books, toys, or snacks and pretend the outside world doesn’t exist.
Kids still love the feeling of making their own space. And when you get down on the floor with them, even just for a little while, it turns into something they’ll remember for years.
Writing Letters And Posting Them
These days, post usually just means bills. But remember how exciting it was to get an actual letter? Encourage your child to write a letter to a friend or family member and post it in the actual letterbox.
Decorate the envelope, maybe add a drawing or two, and take a trip together to buy a stamp. It might seem like a tiny thing, but when that reply comes through the door, they’ll see how special real mail can be.
Movie Nights With A Twist
Movie nights are easy, but you can level them up by turning them into a themed night. Watch an old classic like The Goonies, Matilda, Jumanji, or Honey I Shrunk the Kids, and make snacks or decorations to match.
You could dress up, make tickets, even create a little “cinema” in the living room. It’s cheesy, it’s fun, and your kids will love that you’ve made the effort.
Scrapbooking Together
Before everything was digital, we had actual photo albums and scrapbooks. If you’ve got some old family photos printed out, why not sit down and make a scrapbook together? Tell your child about the people in the photos and the stories behind them.
Or start a new one with them. Collect drawings, ticket stubs, funny quotes they’ve said, anything you want. It’s a lovely way to record the present while sharing bits of your past too.
Watching Music Videos From Your Youth
This one’s a winner. Head to YouTube and pull up some iconic music videos from when you were a kid or teenager. Let them laugh at the hair, the clothes, and the low-budget dance routines. But also show them the artists and songs you genuinely loved.
Sing along, dance in the kitchen, and just enjoy the chaos. Music is one of those things that brings generations together. And when your child gets to see a different side of you, it brings you closer too.
Playground Games And Hand Clapping Rhymes
Remember What’s the time Mr Wolf, Duck Duck Goose, or Elastics? What about those hand clapping games that seemed to have their own language? These games didn’t need equipment, screens, or instructions. You just played.
Teach your child a few, and you might be surprised how much they enjoy them. You can even challenge them to come up with their own versions. It’s a great way to fill a half hour when you’re stuck indoors or waiting around somewhere.
Sharing your childhood memories with your kids isn’t just fun for them, it’s really lovely for you too. You get to revisit some of your favourite things and see them through fresh eyes. And in a world that moves so fast, it’s nice to slow down and remember the things that brought you joy growing up.
So go dig out that box of old toys, load up a playlist, or set up a blanket fort. Your inner child will thank you. And your actual child? They’ll just be glad you’re playing with them.
Last Updated on by Icy Tales Team