20 Photos of Real 1970s 'Horseplay' Outside
You don't see kids playing on the streets anymore. You could blame smartphones alone, but the truth is that it goes a bit deeper than that.
Take the seventies, for example, a time when kids would get out of the house to play in the nearby woods with friends and neighbors every day. They'd come back late in the afternoon, and their parents didn't freak out at all. On the contrary, they were happy for their kids and happy they didn't have to take care of them all day. Simpler times with a lot of risks and dangers, but with everyone acting like everything was totally okay.
So, here are some photos of real 1970s ‘horseplay’ outside.
Ice Hockey
These kids didn't know how lucky they were.
1979's Poland
Volleyball, nature, what else could you possibly need?
Roleplaying
A kid being a hilbilly in 1970.
NYC Lower East Side
The more dangerous the place, the more fun it was playing there.
DIY Swing
And a dog guarding the spot.
Manchester Kids
Unsupervised fun.
A Day at the Lake
In 1979's Florida.
Frisbee Buddies
You needed a partner for one of the most popular outdoor activities.
Fire Hydrant Fun
These kids would be in prison for doing this today, probably.
Duck Duck Goose
A cop playing with some kids in Harlem.
Bronx Fun
That car has seen a lot of different games over the years.
Bronx Landscape
This was so common in the '70s that kids would just keep playing like nothing was happening in the background.
Frisbee Champ
Ask anyone who lived in the ‘70s, and they’ll tell you they were pros at Frisbee.
Brothers United
There was no age for Frisbee.
Scarborough Bluffs in 1979
Parents looking from a safe distance.
Building Community
Playing outside was a key moment for an only child.
Swing Competition
There were no safety measures, and usually no parents around either, so any kind of game could turn dangerous at any moment.
Swedish Suburb
Playtime was forever.
Stickball Match
This was a common occurrence, and the whole neighborhood was in on it.
Rocks and Sticks
All you needed to have fun.
