Before helmets, hoverboards, and helicopter parenting, kids in the 1960s had a very different idea of fun. Playground thrills were often improvised, rule-bending, and seriously risky by today’s standards. This article lists wildly unsafe childhood pastimes that somehow didn’t wipe out an entire generation of daredevils.
Swack Game
This was a painful playground contest where kids took turns hitting each other’s knuckles with their fists. The goal was simple: don’t pull away, and whoever withstood the most hits without flinching won. It was brutal, left hands bruised and bleeding, and it had no adult supervision.
Lawn Darts (Jarts)
Lawn darts involved tossing weighted, metal-tipped darts into the air and hoping no one walked into their path. The game turned casual afternoons into potential ER visits. The darts could puncture the ground or someone’s foot. It’s one of the most recklessly entertaining yard games ever created.
Slingshots
Slingshots were tools in full-on projectile battles. Kids crafted ammo from rocks, marbles, or anything small and hard. It was thrilling to nail a moving target, less so to get smacked in the face. With no eye protection in sight, this game was as risky as it was widespread.
Clackers
Two acrylic balls on strings—swing them up and down until they slam into each other. The idea behind Clackers was to get a rhythm going, but faulty materials meant these things could shatter mid-swing. Despite the risk, Clackers became a noisy obsession on playgrounds across the country.
Homemade Go-Karts
Kids built go-karts out of wood, wheels, and sheer willpower, then took them barreling down hills. Brakes were optional, and helmets were unheard of. Crashes were common, but that only added to the excitement.
Creepy Crawlers
This popular ’60s toy let kids make plastic bugs by heating chemical goop in metal molds using an open hot plate. The device reached high temperatures, but there were no gloves, safety guards, or ventilation—just hot surfaces and toxic fumes. Burns were common, and the smell lingered.
Pole Climbing
On schoolyards and playgrounds, kids raced to climb tall metal poles with nothing but bare hands and sneakers. Falling meant real injury, but reaching the top earned bragging rights. Sprained ankles, scraped shins, and bruised backs were part of the risk.
Mumbly Peg
This knife-throwing game had kids flipping or tossing pocketknives into the ground, often trying to land them near their own or a friend’s foot. The closer the blade stuck, the more daring the move. Precision was the goal, but one wrong bounce could lead to deep cuts or worse.
Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots
Although marketed as a safe, competitive toy, Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots still came with small detachable parts that posed a choking hazard, especially to toddlers. The boxing action was harmless, but younger siblings drawn to the colorful, mechanical pieces were at risk. While not as dangerous as other activities on this list, parental supervision and age-appropriate use were important to avoid accidents.
Hit Trap
In this reaction-based game, one kid held out their hands while the other tried to slap them before they could pull away. It quickly turned from playful to painful, especially when players aimed for the face or slapped too hard. The mix of surprise and sting made it a favorite—until someone got hurt and teachers stepped in.
Roof Jumping
In the 1960s, kids regularly jumped off roofs, sheds, and garages for fun. They aimed to stick the landing on hard dirt or pavement, often getting hurt in the process. It wasn’t part of a game, just a dare for thrills. Injuries were common, but that didn’t stop them.
Riding in Pickup Beds
It was entirely normal for ’60s kids to ride in the open beds of moving pickup trucks without seatbelts or restraints, and nothing to stop them from flying out if the driver braked suddenly or took a sharp turn. It was dangerous and is illegal today.
Swing Jumping
Kids in the ’60s treated swing sets like launch pads. The goal was to pump as high as possible, then launch themselves into the air at the peak. There were no soft landings, either. Mid-air flips, rough landings, and sprained ankles were common.
Red Rover (Full-Force Edition)
This playground game often turned into a full-contact collision. Kids linked arms to form a human barrier, then called someone to sprint full speed and try to break through. It sounds like harmless fun, but broken bones, bruised ribs, and sprained wrists often occurred. Despite the injuries, schools kept it around for years before banning it for being too dangerous.
Burnout Slides
Playground slides in the ’60s were often made of metal, which turned scorching hot in the summer sun. Kids got minor burns during the ride, and no one questioned it. The faster the slide, the better, even if it meant hopping off at the bottom with red thighs.