When you hit the big 5-0, you tend to look backward and feel nostalgic for long-forgotten childhood memories. Maybe you’re yearning for simpler times or even embarking on a midlife crisis (of sorts). Turning 50 is a major milestone, and it’s normal to go on a journey of reflection. Whether you want to relive or reminisce, these blasts from the past will remind you of the joy and innocence of your childhood.
1. The Sweet Smell and Sound of Vinyl Records
There was nothing quite like the crackling sound of vinyl as you dropped the needle onto a record. The vinyl’s warm, rich tones and smell will feel like a time machine for your ears. Dig out your old records, dust off your turntable, and let the familiar tunes transport you back to your teenage bedroom and a simpler era when mixtapes and record players were the height of audio tech.
2. The Thrill of Going to the Drive-In
The excitement and sense of adventure that came with packing the car with snacks and blankets to watch a movie under the stars is a classic childhood memory. Going to the drive-in was a rite of passage for kids and a weekend ritual back in the good old days. The big screen seemed larger than life, and the sound coming through your car’s speakers was like a private cinematic concert. If you’re lucky enough to find a drive-in theater today, grab the family, pack those snacks, and relive those epic movie nights.
3. The Joy of a Bumper Car Date
Modern dating has lost a sense of playfulness. Remember when a date meant heading to the showground and lining up for bumper car rides? The rush of the music, the test of agility, and the opportunity to let out some friendly competition were joys that have almost become lost. The electric jolt of the car and piling into your bumper car with your friend or secret crush seemed risky and got your adrenaline pumping in the best way possible.
4. The Fun Times Playing Old-School Arcade Games
Who could forget the neon lights, joystick action, and beep-boop sound of Pac-Man and Space Invaders? Those beloved arcade games were more than just a pastime; they were a ritual. Remember competing with your friends to see who could blast the most aliens or munch on those dots? If you’re yearning for nostalgia, find a vintage arcade (or buy a retro console on eBay), take the kids, and introduce them to the joys of Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Atari. You’ll be immediately transported back to those Saturday afternoons when playing arcade games was a reward, a privilege, and not something readily accessible on an iPhone.
5. The Bliss of Saturday Morning Cartoons
Ah, the joy of waking up early on a Saturday and realizing it’s the weekend and you have nowhere to be but diving into your favorite cartoons right in front of your TV. Whether it was Bugs Bunny, Scooby-Doo, or Snoopy, those animated, now retro characters were your weekend companions. To take you back, cancel your weekend plans and binge old-school cartoons with the kids or invite the girls over. Take the nostalgia up a notch and pour yourself a bowl of Fruity Pebbles.
6. The Hours Spent Rocking Out to the Radio
Long before iPhones and Spotify, remember the thrill of spending hours tuning into FM radio? Listening to the latest rock radio stations was the soundtrack of your youth. It’s here you came of age alongside the likes of Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones as they crackled through the radio. Those anthems defined your summer nights and weekend drives and set the stage for fond memories. All is not lost; tune into a classic rock station, let the music wash over you, and take you back to a time when rock was king, hip-hop was unheard of, and every song felt like an epic event.
7. The Race to Solve the Rubik’s Cube
There isn’t a child of the ’80s alive who didn’t own a Rubik’s Cube, and it’s still going strong with a new generation. Trying to navigate and solve the complexity of these neon squares was a challenge that tested patience and dexterity, and we loved to race our friends to see who could solve it first. The thrill of twisting and turning those colorful squares, trying to align them all was a rite of passage—and it was a badge of honor if you managed to pull it off. This is how we learned algorithms: pull out a Rubik’s Cube, test your skill, and rediscover that old sense of accomplishment and the satisfaction of finally cracking the code.
8. The Satisfaction of Saving Into Your Piggy Bank
Children from previous generations knew money didn’t grow on trees. We were certainly told enough. So, saving coins and our hard-earned pocket money in a piggy bank was a cherished ritual. Each clink of a coin brought you one step closer to your next big purchase. The thrill of watching your savings grow and the satisfaction of finally cracking open that piggy bank delivered a great sense of excitement and pride. It was also an early lesson in budgeting and being financially savvy.
9. The Sound of a Pay Phone or Landline Ringing
In today’s smartphone-obsessed world, the payphone and landline have become relics of a bygone era. Kids will never experience the thrill of the home phone ringing or the distinctive ring of a public payphone. They will also never comprehend trying to find a quarter to call home. Those anxious moments of waiting for a call and the joy and innocence of spending hours chatting with your friends over a landline while your parents yelled at you to hang up are long gone, thanks to the iPhone.
10. The Yummy Taste of Retro Floats
Root beer floats, cherry Coke, and grape soda are some flavors that defined our childhood. These sweet, fizzy treats were more than just a reward; they were a delicious symbol of summer afternoons and lazy weekends. Recreate a sense of childhood nostalgia by going to an old-school soda joint or making your own float and savoring the taste and memories at home with the kids. In today’s fast-paced world, we’ve forgotten to stop and enjoy life’s simplest pleasures.
11. The Bonding Time Playing Board Games
Gathering around the kitchen table or laying out on the floor to play Monopoly, Scrabble, and Clue with the family on a Friday night or rainy Saturday afternoon was a tradition. It encouraged healthy competition and connection and made for great childhood memories. Lucky for us, the joy of playing board games has survived, so dust off your old games or buy the new versions and instigate a family game night. It will get the children (and you) off the phones and bring back some playfulness, laughter, and competition.
12. The Love You Had for Your Cabbage Patch Kid
Cabbage Patch Kids weren’t dolls; they were our babies, and we took our role as mothers seriously. Each came with its name, birth certificate, and unique traits; owning one was a rite of passage. The excitement of ordering and unwrapping your beloved Cabbage Patch Kid with their cute squishy face was a magical moment. Bathing them, dressing them, and playing with your friend’s “kids” for hours was pure joy. Relive that joy now by finding a vintage Cabbage Patch Kid (or pulling out your doll if you were smart enough to keep it) and share your story with the kids to rekindle those warm feelings of childhood wonder.
13. The Fabulosity of Wearing Neon Brights
Neon colors were all the rage in the ’80s, and making a bold statement by clashing colors gave you major fashion kudos. From bright pinks and greens to electric blues, neon fashion was about standing out and having fun dancing to Wham! The great thing about fashion is that it’s cyclical, and the eighties trend loves to roll around. Pull out some old neon clothes or invest in new ones to relive your youth and immediately boost your mood.
14. The Flex of a Newly Done Perm
Admittedly, some trends, like the infamous spiral perm, need to stay in the ’80s. But oh, how we loved that trip to the salon; it was a rite of passage for every tween girl. Remember sitting under that heat lamp with your hair wrapped in tiny rods, excited and anxious about the outcome? The anticipation was half the fun as you flipped through magazines while that burning, smelly chemical solution worked its magic. When the big reveal came and those tight curls bounced back to life, you couldn’t wait to show off your voluminous, gravity-defying spectacle. You thought you were the coolest girl in town.
15. The Over-the-Top Glamour of Blue Eyeshadow
Rocking blue eyeshadow in the ’80s was a major on-trend style statement. The application was an art form, as you layered on vibrant iridescent blues, transforming your eyelids into a riot of electrifying color. Blue eyeshadow was about embracing the playful, rebellious spirit of the decade—more was more, and subtlety was not in the vocabulary. Who knows what you actually looked like under all that heavy makeup, but we didn’t care; it made our eyes pop like nobody’s business.