Growing up in the 60s was a truly unique experience.
It was a time of iconic music, booming television, and a sense of community that often centered around what happened after that final school bell rang.
Whenever I chat with someone who lived through those years, the conversation inevitably turns nostalgic.
For a while now, I’ve been fascinated by the way certain routines from the 60s have shaped perspectives on life, relationships, and even decision-making later on.
There’s a sense that these childhood rituals, though simple, laid the foundation for habits and mindsets we carry into adulthood.
Let’s explore ten after-school routines every 60s kid remembers. If you lived through that era (or even if you’re just curious about it), I’m betting these will ring a bell.
1. Rushing home to catch favorite TV shows
One hallmark of after-school life in the 60s was the race to get home in time to catch an episode of a beloved TV program.
Shows like “Gilligan’s Island,” “Batman,” or “The Addams Family” had kids glued to black-and-white screens, at least until color TVs became more common.
Even today, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia whenever I see re-runs of those classics—there’s something comforting about the simplicity of it all.
It was an era long before streaming and on-demand content, which meant if you missed an episode, you’d have to wait for a re-air or rely on friends’ accounts of what happened.
Back then, the anticipation of a scheduled TV show was half the fun. Nowadays, we can click and watch anything, but the magic of waiting for your favorite program felt a bit like a weekly holiday.
2. Grabbing a quick snack (and a cold glass of milk)
Walking through the front door, many 60s kids would head straight to the kitchen for an after-school bite.
Homemade cookies, leftover pie, or the iconic peanut butter and jelly sandwich were all fair game. If they were lucky, mom or dad might have left a plate of freshly baked treats on the counter.
To this day, I’ve kept a habit of reaching for a quick snack whenever I come home from running errands.
There’s a bit of that childlike comfort in dipping a cookie into a glass of milk—or in my case, dairy-free almond milk now. It’s funny how the simplest routines can stick around.
3. Playing pickup games in the street
Right after a quick snack, it was time to play ball—literally. Organized sports leagues existed, of course, but a lot of 60s kids simply grabbed their mitts or footballs and headed to a nearby street or vacant lot.
The spirit was all about fun, camaraderie, and a bit of healthy competition.
I’ve mentioned this before in another post, but there’s real psychological value in unstructured play. It promotes creativity, problem-solving, and social skills in ways that heavily organized activities sometimes miss.
And a spontaneous game of stickball or tag taught teamwork faster than any lesson plan.
I didn’t grow up in the 60s myself, but whenever I’m traveling, I love watching kids in other countries who still play in the streets. It’s a beautiful reminder that you don’t need fancy equipment to foster friendship and connection.
4. Listening to records (or the radio) before dinner
Before playlists and digital downloads, vinyl records and radio broadcasts ruled the scene.
Many 60s kids headed straight to their record players to spin the latest Beatles 45 or tuned in to their favorite radio station for chart hits and classic rock.
That slow crackle of the needle on vinyl is a sound that still resonates with me. There’s something almost ceremonial about placing the needle just right, waiting for that first chord to fill the room, and letting the music guide the mood..
For a lot of kids, it wasn’t just about music. The radio was a source of news, comedy sketches, and drama serials, too.
It was the portal to a wider world—a place where you could learn about current events, hear new ideas, or just sing along in your room when no one was watching.
5. Homework at the kitchen table
As much fun as the after-school shows and pickup games were, homework usually had to get done sooner or later.
In many 60s households, that meant gathering at the kitchen table—often under the watchful eye of mom or dad—to work on spelling words, math problems, or science projects.
It was a surprisingly communal experience. Siblings might compare notes or compete to finish first. Parents would pop in and out to check if everything was going smoothly, sometimes offering help or just moral support.
It wasn’t unusual for the radio or TV to be softly playing in the background, creating this cozy mix of focus and family chatter.
My mother used to joke that school might end at three, but learning never stops if you know how to stay curious. That’s something I’ve held onto and is part of why I write so often about the psychology of curiosity and lifelong education.
6. Riding bikes around the neighborhood
One scene that almost instantly defines the 60s for many folks is kids cruising around the neighborhood on bikes.
No helmets, no GPS tracking—just a sense of freedom and wind in their hair. Bicycles were an emblem of independence. You could hop on, pedal off, and explore the world… or at least a few blocks of it.
Even today, whenever I hop on a bike during my travels, I’m reminded that cycling can be meditative.
There’s a rhythm to it that helps me clear my head, much like those kids must have felt speeding down the street after a long day at school.
7. Helping with household chores
In many 60s households, chores weren’t optional. Right after school, kids were expected to pitch in.
Whether it was setting the table, washing dishes, or folding laundry, there was a culture of shared responsibility. It wasn’t always a favorite part of the day, but it instilled a sense of discipline and teamwork.
I can relate to that sense of “duty before fun.” For a large chunk of my twenties, I took pride in my daily routines—part of which came from the discipline of having to do my chores before anything else as a kid.
And while I wasn’t growing up in the 60s, it’s clear that the concept of consistent household tasks teaches time management and fosters gratitude. After all, once chores were done, the relaxation that followed felt well-earned.
8. Hanging out at the local soda fountain (if you were lucky)
While not every neighborhood had a classic soda shop, many 60s kids do remember sneaking off to a local café or drugstore for a sweet treat.
A root beer float or a cherry cola was a delicious way to unwind. It was also a social event—a place to gossip about the day’s happenings, talk about that cute classmate, or strategize for the weekend.
I’ve read studies on how social interaction in informal settings can improve emotional well-being. In fact, some studies suggests that regular social hangouts can help reduce stress and build resilience.
For 60s kids, that local soda fountain was the epitome of low-key bonding.
Whenever I discover an old-school diner during my travels, I can’t resist popping in. The moment the door jingles behind you, you’re transported to an era where life seemed a little slower and a little more real.
9. Immersing in creative hobbies (like model building or crafts)
After school, countless 60s kids dove into the world of crafting—model airplanes, scrapbooks, or painting sets.
If you had a creative streak, this was the era to really explore it. Kids put together intricate plastic models of classic cars, or spent hours meticulously painting miniature figurines.
I’ve always found that engaging the creative side of the brain can be a great stress reliever. In my own life, writing is my form of crafting.
There’s something special about starting with a blank page and ending up with a finished piece that (hopefully) resonates with people.
Simon Sinek once said, “Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress; working hard for something we love is called passion.” For many 60s kids, those crafts were a passion they looked forward to every day.
10. Gathering for family dinner
Last but not least, the 60s was a time when the family dinner was sacred. Sure, it happened in the 70s, 80s, and beyond, but in the 60s, it was practically an institution.
Parents expected everyone to be present at the dinner table, which was often the only time during the day everyone sat down together.
Conversations at dinner ranged from how the day went at school to what was happening around town. It was a chance to connect without distractions—no smartphones beeping, no social media feeds. Just real-time chatting, laughing, and maybe a little friendly debating if siblings got into it.
That ritual of daily connection is something I try to replicate with friends and family now. Even if we don’t share the same roof, a consistent meetup for a meal can help keep relationships strong.
This is backed by experts like Dr. Barbara Fiese at the University of Illinois, who has noted that regular family meals can improve communication and foster a sense of belonging.
Putting it all together
Though life in the 60s might seem quaint compared to the hyper-digital era we live in today, there’s plenty of timeless wisdom in those simple after-school routines.
Running home to catch a favorite show, spending time on creative hobbies, or sharing a meal with family—these activities remind us of the importance of community, curiosity, and structure.
Sure, we’ve got faster internet and streaming services today, but the value of face-to-face connection and shared experiences hasn’t changed. At the end of the day, it’s those tiny daily rituals that shape our memories and our mindset.
Here at DM News, we love examining how nostalgia can inform the choices we make now. So the next time you catch yourself longing for the days of vinyl records and homemade cookies, maybe consider bringing a piece of that past into your present.
Whether it’s carving out time to just sit around the dinner table or indulging in an old-school hobby, you might discover that you don’t really need a time machine to reclaim some of the magic. Sometimes, you just need to remember—and then make it happen again.
