50 Old Fashioned (1970s/80s) Summer Vacation Ideas

Organized sports, camps, scheduled vacations, and parent-organized playdates are great summer activities, but don't we all miss the slower, free-range summers of our childhoods?

The “lazy” days of summer provide the perfect opportunity for kids to assert their independence and engage in free play. Parents benefit from being able to take a break from planning and entertaining, and kids learn decision making skills, negotiating skills, how to build relationships, and how to use their imaginations and foster their creativity. An old-fashioned summer can be good for everyone’s physical and mental well-being.

Here are 50 “old school” 70s/80s summer ideas:

1. no schedule
2. neighbourhood freedom
3. no electronics
4. play outside
5. spend time with cousins
6. swim
7. bike
8. play hide and seek until dusk
9. play flashlight tag
10. build forts
11. fish
12. dance in the rain in bathing suits
13. splash in puddles and plastic pools
14. blow bubbles
15. make mud pies
16. read books outside
17. cloud watch
18. star gaze
19. hang out in someone’s shed / clubhouse
20. trade stickers
21. tent in the yard
22. catch fireflies
23. slip and slide in the backyard
24. roller skate
25. catch frogs
26. play old school lawn darts
27. play hop scotch
28. enjoy family meals
29. drink from the hose
30. have watermelon seed spitting contests
31. eat boiled hot dogs
32. eat bologna or PB&J sandwiches
33. make homemade ice cream and popsicles in plastic molds
34. make frozen chocolate covered bananas
35. drink kool aid and tang
36. drink lemonade in Styrofoam cups
37. eat half cooked cakes made in easy bake ovens
38. walk to the store and buy candy
39. eat rocket popsicles
40. wash your hair with shampoo in the lake (which totally counts as a bath)
41. have a bon fire 
42. pick berries
43. learn jump rope rhymes
44. play with neighbourhood kids
45. buy ice cream from a guy on a bike
46. play Red Rover
47. play Simon Says
48. listen to the radio on the back deck
49. play clapping games like “Miss Mary Mac”
50. parents holler when it's time to come home... when the street lights come on

Do any of these things remind you of your childhood? What would you add to my list?

♥ 
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You may also be interested in these FIFTY ideas for summer fun!