The 1960s is remembered today as a decade of peace, love, and rock and roll. This might be the result of some very rose-tinted glasses, but many who grew up in the era wouldn’t trade their childhoods for the world. Here are 18 strange hobbies that were common in the ‘60s.
Drive-In Theaters
Some loved drive-in theaters for their movie double bills; others saw them as a place to neck with their sweethearts. Whatever the case, drive-ins are now a thing of the past: the New York Film Academy reports that only 300 remain in operation in the U.S. Streaming services just aren’t the same!
Listening to the Ballgame Live
Baseball is as popular as ever, but it’s nearly unthinkable to listen to it on the radio these days! There are now so many ways to catch up on the big game at your own convenience—plus, you can access a whole archive of historical heavy hitters thanks to the Internet.
Model Making
The 1960s saw amazing technological advances, culminating in Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the moon. Sixties kids could keep up with these developments by building vehicle model kits. Bottle rockets, trains, cars, and planes—the only limit was imagination.
Sea Monkeys
Budding marine biologists could hone their craft with sea monkeys, cute shrimp that could be grown in a tank from a packet. Children in the ‘60s loved watching these little creatures develop and grow. It sounds weird now, but it was a magical experience back then!
Sand Art
Young people now won’t see the appeal of filling jars with layers of colored sand, but they’re missing out on a classic boomer hobby. It’s possible to make beautiful and creative patterns in the sand, given care and patience. In fact, it probably inspired a generation of artists.
Slot-Car Racing
Slot-car racing was a runaway success with crossover appeal—adults loved it just as much as the kids did! These model cars left other hobbies in the dust, and tournaments sprung up across the U.S. Gen Z may have Mario Kart, but slot cars were the original racing sensations.
Stamp Collecting
The BBC discusses how stamp collecting “is very much an aesthetic hobby. You buy stamps because you enjoy looking at them.” This motivation has remained the same since the 1960s. However, more obviously exciting hobbies have since replaced this classic boomer tradition.
Reading the Paper
Smartphones and the Internet have made it easier than ever to access information, but there’s something to be said for a lazy afternoon with the local paper. Sixties kids once entertained themselves for hours by reading and re-reading the broadsheets. An extra perk was that they could be reused as material for paper planes!
Hula Hooping
Hula hooping is a sport with no obvious strategy, but that hasn’t stopped millions from trying to beat their hula hoop high scores over and over again. Young boomers could spend whole afternoons at this hobby—if you find yourself in need of a hip replacement, a misspent youth hula-hooping may be the cause.
Playing Poker
Many boomers probably recall losing their paper round earnings in a high-stakes game of poker. The card game was a popular hobby among young people in the 1960s, albeit a fairly ruthless one! Those not wishing to risk their lunch money could play for bottle caps—collecting those was also a much-loved pastime.
Tiddlywinks
Tiddlywinks might not look like anything special, but boomers know that this classic hobby is as exciting as any modern-day iPhone game. There’s a surprising amount of strategy involved in playing, and we’re sure that some people still remember their ‘60s victories to this day.
Lava Lamps
These popular lights were fixtures of many 1960s homes, combining illumination with trippy visuals – they were undeniably a vibe. The New York Times credits Timothy Leary with one of the decade’s most iconic phrases (“turn on, tune in, drop out”), and few gadgets were better for tuning into than lava lamps.
Spirographs
Spirographs are as ‘60s as it gets. Released in 1965, they represented a weird, geometric style of art perfect for the Woodstock generation. It was also easy enough for younger kids, making art fun for all the family. Spirograph art might look dated to modern eyes, but boomers can still appreciate its mind-bending patterns.
Baseball Card Collecting
Boomers took baseball card collecting very seriously, often trading one another in the schoolyard to fill the gaps in their collections. It was always satisfying to find a desirable card. It’s no wonder that some boomers are still building up impressive collections several decades later.
Etch-a-Sketch Drawing
The Strong National Museum of Play describes the Etch-a-Sketch as “a must-have item for Christmas 1960”, and we’re sure that many boomers agree. These clever devices require a lot of practice to get the hang of, but some talented artists were no doubt able to pull off some impressive creations during the toy’s heyday.
Macramé Art
For bored boomers at the end of their tether, macramé art provided some much-needed distraction. This technique involves combining fabrics by knotting them together into intricate and colorful patterns. The end results can be quite beautiful, but the practice is a bit dull by modern standards.
Potato Printing
What if the best use for a potato isn’t to make fries, after all? Potato printing helped very young boomers to experiment artistically during the psychedelic sixties. It’s a surprisingly versatile hobby, but younger generations might prefer to stick to eating potatoes rather than making art with them.
CB Radio Operating
Long before the invention of social media, boomers stayed in touch via homemade CB radio kits. These short-distance radios allowed kids and adult amateurs to play harmless audio-based pranks on one another, all while developing their electrical engineering skills. Do you remember your callsign?
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