There’s no denying that the hobbies popular today are far different from those of the past. Many older hobbies would even seem confusing to the kids of today! As a perfect example, here are 17 ‘60s hobbies that will baffle anyone younger than boomers.
Building model kits
Model kit building was a popular hobby in the 1960s. There was something for everyone with models varying from ships and airplanes to buildings and automobiles. Building a model requires time, patience, and care, which made it a very rewarding hobby that some boomers still practice today.
Collecting vinyl records
People opened up to all kinds of music in the ‘60s. Brittanica says that The Beatles led Americans to adore rock ‘n’ roll, making vinyl collecting a major hobby. They displayed amazing artwork, too, so it’s no wonder why people became so obsessed with them!
Polaroid photography
Polaroid-style photos are still popular today for their retro aesthetic. However, back in the ‘60s, this wasn’t a stylistic choice. 1965 introduced affordable instant cameras that produced grainy yet colorful photographs, which rapidly became a popular hobby for many as a wonderful tool for artistic self-expression.
The art of needlework
Knitting and sewing are still popular hobbies, but they’re often associated with boomers. However, these were once essential skills for young homemakers and fashion enthusiasts. People made their own clothes, using patterns and techniques passed down through the family from mothers and grandmothers. It was far nicer than today’s fast fashion!
Stamp collecting
Many people collected stamps in the ’60s. They would get their stamps from stamp shows, trades, or just from the mail. We’d get so excited to see which stamps would come in on the mail, hoping for a rare one, and then we’d steam them off so they wouldn’t tear!
DIY car maintenance
It’s indisputable that cars in the ‘60s needed more regular maintenance, but as the New York Times notes, they were made to last. Repairing them was accessible, and this made for an enjoyable pastime for many car owners. Most people would at least change their oil, spark plugs, and tune their own cars.
Jigsaw puzzles
Putting together a jigsaw with the family is a wonderful way to pass the time, but not so many people do it these days. Before the popularity of TV and social media, we valued the time-sink that jigsaws provided when we were bored. Some of them could get really complex!
Building model trains and railways
During the 1960s, hobbyists would build miniature worlds with the most amazing intricate details. They would build landscapes and buildings for their model trains to drive through and spend hours crafting tiny trees, plants, and signs for their miniature worlds. These days, having such a hobby is incredibly expensive.
Coin collecting
According to Numismatic News, coin collecting became a popular hobby in the 1960s due to the Kennedy Half Dollar debut, which honored the assassinated president. After this, collectors would seek rare and old coins, which they would display in albums. Coins are not so popular now, as most transactions are done electronically.
Wilderness survival and camping
Wilderness survival schools began cropping up in the ‘60s, and the young people of that decade learned helpful life skills, including setting up tents, building fires, and orienteering. They learned to embrace nature and the outdoors and discovered how to be self-reliant, values that we think the kids of today need to return to!
Drive-in movies
Movies remain a popular hobby today, but it was drive-in theatres that pulled the biggest audiences in the ‘60s. During this time, there were over 4,000 drive-ins throughout the US, and they were super popular amongst movie fanatics, couples on dates, and families.
Exchanging letters with pen pals
Writing letters to strangers became very popular during the ’60s, with clubs being set up worldwide to put pen pals in touch with one another. It was a great way to learn about other cultures long before the emergence of social media, and the anticipation of waiting for a letter never got old.
Roller skating
Skating was huge in the 1960s; there were skating rinks everywhere, roller skating discos every weekend, and there were even roller skate restaurants! Roller rinks served as community gathering spots for younger people, and it kept everyone fit and healthy. What a fun way to exercise!
Amateur Astronomy
In the ‘60s, NASA astronaut John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth, and Ed White became the first American to conduct a spacewalk. This inspired a generation of stargazers, many of whom still camp out with their personal telescopes to this day.
Making tie-dye t-shirts
Tie-dye was a groovy fashion statement that swept the nation in the 1960s, a symbol of free expression, peace, and love. People would make dye shirts, headbands, skirts, and dresses with psychedelic colors and swirling designs, which was an inexpensive and accessible way to show your creativity and individuality.
Gathering for folk music festivals
If you were to see tie-dye anywhere, it was at folk music festivals! The ‘60s saw the resurgence of folk music as both a form of artistic expression and social commentary, and people would socialize at festivals to listen to performers. They’re still popular to this day, but folk music is becoming rarer.
Talking over CB radio
Finally, CB or ‘Citizens Band’ radio was a huge hobby in the ‘60s, created as a means of short-distance communication using two-way radios. Its lingo and etiquette created a unique subculture among enthusiasts and was popular among adult radio hobbyists, kids, and even truck drivers. These days, CB has sadly been replaced by smartphones.
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