21 Things That Made ’60s Kids Realize They Were the Experimental Child in the Family
Being a kid in the 1960s was an adventure, especially if you were the firstborn, the middle child, or just the unlucky one your parents decided to “figure things out” on.
Unlike your younger siblings, who had the luxury of refined parenting techniques, you were the family crash-test dummy, subjected to all kinds of unconventional discipline, outdated medical advice, and wild parenting experiments.
If any of the following sounds familiar, congratulations—you were the experimental child.
1. You Rode in the Car Without a Seatbelt—Or a Seat, Sometimes
Back in the ‘60s, seatbelts were more of a suggestion than a requirement. If your parents even had them in the car, they were probably buried under snack wrappers and dad’s roadmaps.
And let’s not forget the infamous front-seat ‘mom-arm’ safety restraint—which was basically just her slamming her arm across your chest when she hit the brakes.
2. Your Baby Crib Probably Had Lead Paint and Spacing Big Enough for a Jailbreak
If you were born in the ‘60s, your crib was less ‘safe sleeping space’ and more ‘tiny wooden trap.’
Aside from all other dangers, nobody thought twice about lead-based paint or whether the mattress was even comfortable. Somehow, we survived.
3. Your Parents Used You to Test the TV Antenna Signal
‘Move a little to the left—no, not there! Now hold the antenna!’ If you were the ‘experimental child’, you were also the human remote control.
Adjusting the rabbit ears just right so the picture wasn’t a blizzard of static was practically an Olympic sport.
Bonus points if you were forced to stand in place for an entire episode of Bonanza.
4. You Drank Water Straight from the Garden Hose
Filtered water? What was that? In the ‘60s, the garden hose was the only hydration station you needed. Sure, it tasted like rubber, dirt, and mystery chemicals, but you didn’t care. If you were thirsty, you drank.
Nobody worried about bacteria—or lead pipes.
5. You Were the Family’s First Guinea Pig for Home Haircuts
If your parents decided to save money on haircuts, guess who they practiced on? That’s right—you.
Whether it was a bowl cut gone horribly wrong or bangs so short they looked like an accident, your hair was an experiment with no refunds.
6. Your Parents Let You Ride in the Back of a Pickup Truck Like It Was No Big Deal
Who needed a theme park when the back of a moving pickup truck could provide the same thrill with way fewer safety precautions? In the ‘60s, this wasn’t considered dangerous—it was just another Tuesday.
If you were really daring, you’d even stand up while it was moving.
7. You Ate Whatever Mystery Leftovers Were in the Fridge—Expiration Dates Were a Myth
Was that week-old meatloaf still good? Nobody knew. In the 1960s, the ‘smell test’ was the only expiration date you needed.
If it wasn’t growing visible mold, it was still edible enough for the family’s human lab rat—aka you.
8. Your Parents Bought Mystery Meat from a Can, and You Ate It Without Question
SPAM, Vienna sausages, mystery potted meat—if it came in a can and looked vaguely edible, it was dinner. And nobody asked questions.
What was in there? Who knew? But if it was on your plate, you ate it.
9. You Played with Toys Made from Extremely Questionable Materials
Toys back then were made from whatever was handy—metal, dense plastic, maybe even asbestos for all we knew.
Who cared if they were safe? As long as they entertained you for hours, they did their job. Safety was secondary.
10. You Were Sent to Buy Cigarettes for Your Parents
Imagine sending a child to buy cigarettes today. In the 1960s, it was a common errand. Trustworthy and innocent-looking, you had no trouble convincing the cashier it was for your parents.
You were the unpaid family courier.
11. Your Playground Equipment Was Made of Metal and Concrete
Slides that scorched in the sun, merry-go-rounds that spun at neck-breaking speeds, and see-saws that acted more like catapults.
Our playgrounds were full of hazards, yet we loved every minute spent conquering them.
12. You Were the Family’s Remote Control
Long before remote controls, ‘Channel 3, please!’ echoed in homes everywhere. You were the designated button-pusher, knob-turner, and antenna-adjuster.
It was a prestigious yet thankless role, teaching us patience and resilience.
13. You Had a Pet Rock—It Was More Fun Than It Sounds
The pet rock craze meant you finally had a pet that didn’t need feeding or cleaning.
Painted with personality, it was the low-maintenance companion every family needed and the easiest pet for any experimental child to care for.
14. You Wore Hand-Me-Down Clothes and Called It Fashion
Wardrobes were often a mix of new and well-loved pieces from older siblings.
Fashion sense was subjective, and creativity flourished. Every outfit told a story, even if it wasn’t yours originally.
15. You Made a Mud Pie—and Tried to Eat It
Who needed a gourmet kitchen when the backyard offered endless culinary potential? Mud pies were a staple of childhood cooking, and tasting them was an essential part of the experience.
It was experimental gastronomy at its finest.
16. You Were Given a BB Gun and Told, ‘Don’t Shoot Your Eye Out!’
A kid with a BB gun was a rite of passage. Your parents’ only advice? ‘Don’t shoot your eye out!’
It was both a thrill and a lesson in responsibility, even if it led to occasional unintended consequences.
17. You Caught Fireflies—and Accidentally Squished Them
Chasing fireflies at dusk was magical.
Capturing them required finesse, but clumsy hands often led to squished results. It taught us to appreciate nature’s wonders while humbly accepting our learning curve.
18. You Listened to Stories on a Record Player
Before audiobooks and podcasts, there were story records. They transported us to far-off lands and exciting adventures, all with the comforting crackle of vinyl.
It was screen-free entertainment at its best.
19. You Had a Chemistry Set with Real Chemicals
Aspiring scientists had real chemicals to concoct their explosive discoveries. Safety goggles were optional, and most experiments happened at the kitchen table.
We learned through trial, error, and the occasional eruption.
20. You Read Comic Books Under the Covers with a Flashlight
Late-night superhero adventures unfolded under blankets, flashlight in hand.
Secret reading sessions fueled imaginations and defied parental bedtimes, cultivating a love for stories and a knack for stealth.
21. You Were Told Mothballs in Your Closet Kept the Monsters Away
Monsters in the closet? Not a problem. Mothballs were a universal solution, their pungent scent a deterrent to imaginary beasts.
It was both a comfort and a quirky household belief that shaped our nighttime rituals.