I loved being a '90s kid [1]. I grew up with butterfly clips in my hair and jelly shoes on my feet. And I love to reminisce about the long, hot Summers from my childhood [2]. I feel a little bad for my kids, because there are so many moments from my childhood Summers [3] that they'll never get to experience. Everything is so busy these days, from strict Summer camp [4] and activity schedules to group texts and screen time. I wish I could give them the kind of Summer I had — one with movie stores, walkie-talkies [5], and landlines. Keep reading for 15 nostalgic things that our little ones just don't get to experience anymore.
Navigation-Free Vacations
If your parents took you on a road trip, they didn't have navigation to help them. They relied on paper maps, which often got you lost or on unexpected detours. Those detours somehow ended up being your favourite holiday memories [7].
Taking Photos at the Pool, and Waiting a Week to See Them
If you saved up your allowance to buy a disposable camera, you could have a photo shoot with your friends (and what better place than the neighbourhood pool?). When you picked them up a week later, it was always a surprise as to how many actually came out.
Finding the Bikes
We all remember heading out in the neighbourhood looking for our friends. But instead of texting them and asking where everyone was, you had to search for the group of bikes in the front yard.
Keeping in Touch
If you had a friend who travelled or went to sleep-away camp for the Summer — you better break out a paper and pencil to keep in touch. If you dared to call long distance, you knew to talk quick with how expensive it was.