Take a minute and think back to all the great stuff about your childhood. Did you play outside until the fireflies came out and the streetlights came on? Were you an expert explorer with your friends in abandoned houses or deep in the woods? Did you bike or scooter all over town without your mom always knowing exactly where you were?
Those were the “good old days,” right? You made great memories, had so much freedom, and…took a lot of risks. Yikes! Now that you’re a parent, you might want the same childhood for your kids. Yet, the thought of them running around the way you did might scare you silly.
Still, giving your kid an old-fashioned childhood could be great. Fewer video games and less TikTok — more hide-and-seek and Four Square. So how do you do it and still keep them safe in today’s world? It takes a little bit of creativity and outside-the-box thinking, but it’s doable.
Give these ideas a shot so your child grows up making the same types of memories you did. They’ll thank you for it when they’re older.
1. Give Them a Phone
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What’s this? If the goal is to mirror your childhood, why would you introduce a phone? They could be tempted to download social media apps or games. Those types of things could have them glued to a screen inside all day.
Wait a second, though. Providing a safe phone for kids is a way to give them some freedom with less risk. These phones don’t connect to the internet but provide basic functions like calling and texting. If your child has a phone, that means they’re only a quick message away. Make a rule that they must always answer your calls, and you can keep tabs on their location. Some phones even offer apps that include a GPS tracker. It’s an easy way to check up on your child without calling multiple times.
2. Plan Family Play Dates
You’ve probably heard the idea that raising a child takes a village. That’s definitely true — especially when you’re trying to foster an old-school childhood for your little ones. This is where your family friends come in handy. They’re like extra parents for your children, and their kids can be like siblings. Everyone helps keep an eye on each other.
If your kids want to explore your neighborhood park, it can be fun and safe to do it with your best friend’s children. Taking your crew to a minor league baseball game is less stressful with more adult eyes to watch over the kiddos. Not only is there safety in numbers, but you can also end up with some fun stories to tell for years to come.
3. Support a School Walking Group
If you live close enough, help your kid organize a group of students that walk to and from school together. The kids will love the freedom and independence of getting to the school building on their own. Going in a larger group also makes it safer.
Having a school walking group creates other benefits, as well. It’s a great way for your child to get some extra exercise. Additionally, it’s an opportunity for them to joke around and blow off the pent-up energy from sitting in class. What a great way to end the school day!
4. Explore Interactive, Educational Play Spaces
Children love to discover new things. It could be playing with bugs, learning about electricity, or making a new piece of art. In many of these situations, they enjoy being adventurous and experiencing things firsthand. That doesn’t mean you turn them loose just anywhere, though. Look for places they can branch out safely.
Interactive museums can be a great option. Whether it’s a science experiment or a mini-construction project, these spaces give your child hands-on experience. They can “learn by doing” in a safe, controlled way. When they explore in this manner, they’re more likely to remember what they learn. Plus, if they make mistakes, trained staff are available to help.
5. Make Your House the Hang-Out Spot
As your kids get older, they’ll want to hang out with their friends more and more. Think back to your own teen years, and you’ll understand how important these childhood friendships are. Your kids need to forge those types of bonds. At the same time, it’s equally vital that you get to know their friends.
Turning your home into a frequent hang-out spot is one of the best ways to do this. Host a movie night with pizza and snacks. Let your child and their friends have their own dance party. Plan a game night. When the kids are in your home, you know they’re having fun and creating memories in a safe space.
In today’s high-tech, busy world, it may seem like an old-fashioned childhood is more a pipedream than a possibility. Fortunately, that’s not necessarily true. Your child can have some of the same experiences you did without the same level of risk.
With a bit of planning, you can help your child grow up with a healthy balance of freedom and safety. Keep these suggestions in mind when you and your kids plan activities. If you do, your kids will have a bunch of wonderful memories when they’re older.
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