8 life skills every 60s kid had by age 12 (that most teens today don’t)

Growing up, I heard stories about how kids in the 1960s seemed to figure out life a lot earlier than we do today.

By the time they were 12, many of them had already learned crucial real-world skills—things that went beyond just tying their shoes and riding a bike.

It’s not that one generation is inherently better than another, but the environment back then created certain habits and abilities that, in my opinion, are pretty rare among modern teens.

The world has changed, and we’ve gained a lot. Yet sometimes I wonder if we lost a few valuable skills along the way.

Let’s dive into those eight life skills.

1. Navigating without GPS

Kids in the 60s, by default, learned how to get around without an app telling them which turn to make.

If they wanted to meet friends at the local park, they had to read maps or rely on memory and clear directions. That sense of spatial awareness can really sharpen problem-solving skills.

I remember going on a family road trip once without a reliable map. The car’s GPS was on the fritz, and data coverage was spotty. I had to mentally piece together directions: “Take a left at the tall red barn, pass the gas station, then find the gravel road.”

Honestly, it felt like stepping back in time, but I realized how much more engaged I was in my surroundings.

Today, most teens just type an address into a smartphone and follow the little blue line on the screen. There’s nothing wrong with technology. It’s a real lifesaver.

But it can also limit our sense of direction and self-reliance. Having the skill to navigate independently cultivates mental sharpness and a deeper understanding of geography—and that’s something 60s kids developed from an early age.

2. Communicating face-to-face

When you think about it, people in the 60s did almost all of their chatting in person.

There was the telephone, sure, but that was only for special occasions—or if you had the dreaded “long-distance call” charges to worry about.

Kids learned to look adults in the eye, strike up a conversation, and handle in-person conflicts without a smartphone to hide behind.

Kids in the 60s had no choice but to talk to people directly, which honed their listening skills and ability to read body language. If a conversation got awkward, they had to work through it in real time.

If you’re a teen today and you rely heavily on texts and emojis, you might miss the nuances of in-person interaction. Building that muscle early helps you with confidence, empathy, and even job interviews.

After all, no amount of likes or retweets can replace a handshake and a genuine conversation.

3. Cooking basic meals

Even at 12, many kids in the 60s were already comfortable in the kitchen, at least with the basics—scrambling eggs, making grilled cheese, baking simple cookies.

Part of this had to do with the family structure. Parents expected kids to help out, and that often meant preparing meals or snacks.

When I was younger, I remember feeling a little intimidated by the stove. I’d watch a parent or older sibling whip up something and think, “How do they not burn the house down?”

But once I started experimenting with simple meals, it became this empowering process. Plus, it’s a creative outlet with a built-in reward: tasty food.

Teens today might rely more on microwaves, delivery apps, or prepackaged foods.

And while that’s convenient, the sense of accomplishment that comes from cooking a meal from scratch is a fantastic life skill that goes beyond the kitchen.

4. Handling money early

A lot of 60s kids had paper routes, helped out at local stores, or did chores for neighbors to earn some pocket change.

They would then budget for a record, a comic, or maybe a trip to the cinema. By age 12, they had a decent sense of how to save and spend responsibly.

As someone who spent a decade in digital marketing, I’ve worked with clients who target younger consumers on social media. It’s easy to see how the “buy now, pay later” culture can obscure the value of a dollar.

Teens today often deal with digital wallets, subscription boxes, and in-app purchases, which can make money feel almost imaginary.

However, understanding money at a young age fosters a healthier relationship with finances later in life. Simple experiences like saving for that new bike or deciding whether to buy candy or a comic can teach budgeting and patience.

It may not sound like rocket science, but trust me, it makes a huge difference down the road when dealing with bigger life decisions like rent, investments, and credit scores.

5. Resourcefulness with limited tools

In the 60s, you couldn’t just hop online and order a specific gadget if something broke. If your bike tire was flat, you learned to patch it.

If the radio knob fell off, you found a way to make it work or borrowed a spare from a neighbor. The ability to fix or adapt with what you have is a skill that fosters resilience.

I still remember traveling abroad and losing my phone charger in a small town. No big electronics store in sight. I had to piece together a makeshift solution involving a borrowed cable and a local shop’s dusty adapter from the back room.

It was a headache at the time, but it reminded me that sometimes we have to make do with what we’ve got.

Today, when a gadget glitches, many teens look for a replacement rather than a fix. That’s partly because we live in a throwaway culture. But resourcefulness doesn’t just save money; it also builds confidence.

Like Tim Ferriss has noted, “A person’s success in life can usually be measured by the number of uncomfortable conversations (and situations) they’re willing to have.”

Confronting a broken item, figuring out a workaround, and pushing through the inconvenience is definitely one of those “uncomfortable situations” that can spur growth.

6. Dealing with boredom

With fewer entertainment options, 60s kids had to invent their own fun.

Maybe it was a game of stickball, exploring a creek, or creating backyard obstacle courses with random household items. Boredom was a catalyst for creativity.

I’ve read about a study showing that moderate boredom can actually boost creative thinking. It’s like your brain starts looking for new ideas when it’s not constantly being stimulated.

Teens today can be glued to screens—myself included—where endless content is at our fingertips. We scroll, tap, and stream instead of daydreaming or tinkering with new hobbies.

But those moments of “nothing to do” are often where the best ideas are born. If you train yourself to see boredom as an opportunity, you might stumble onto something exciting—like painting, writing short stories, or even building a small business.

In the 60s, kids had this skill in spades, simply because they had fewer distractions.

7. Respectful independence

Kids back then had a certain autonomy but also a clear sense of boundaries.

They might roam the neighborhood with friends until the streetlights came on, but they knew to be home by dinner. Independence was earned by showing responsibility and respect.

I used to hear my grandparents talk about how, if they wanted to visit a friend, they’d walk or bike there on their own. Parents trusted them because they demonstrated they could handle themselves.

This fosters self-confidence, decision-making, and a sense of accountability—traits that are huge assets in adulthood.

In today’s world, we see a different model. Overprotection or overscheduling can mean teens never experience that “free-range” type of independence.

I get it—times have changed and safety is a bigger concern. But if we strip away every chance for teens to navigate life on their own, they might miss out on developing this essential skill set.

8. Writing letters (or making a proper phone call)

Last but not least, people in the 60s often communicated through letters or landline calls.

That might seem archaic, but it taught them how to structure thoughts, convey tone without emojis, and have polite, meaningful exchanges. Writing a letter took effort and patience.

One had to consider what to say and how to say it in a way that would be clear, friendly, and thoughtful.

Even making a phone call required courage. You’d have to talk to whoever picked up first, usually a parent or sibling, before reaching your friend. It forced you to adapt in the moment.

Nowadays, it’s so easy to shoot off a text or voice note. We don’t always see the value in carefully crafted words or in managing a two-way conversation with no delete button.

I’ve found that teens who can write a structured, thoughtful message—whether that’s an email or a text—stand out. It shows attention to detail and respect for the person on the receiving end.

In the 60s, you pretty much had to develop that skill just to keep in touch with people.

Putting it all together

There’s no doubt life was different back in the 60s. Kids relied on practical, hands-on experiences that encouraged independence, resourcefulness, and real-world savvy.

In contrast, modern technology has given us a wealth of opportunities—and I’m grateful for that.

But sometimes I think we could benefit from revisiting these old-school skills, even if that means occasionally shutting off the GPS or turning off the Wi-Fi to get things done “the hard way.”

Here at DM News, we’re all about embracing personal growth and finding what works. That might mean trying out a new recipe, picking up a map instead of a smartphone, or writing a heartfelt letter to someone you care about.

Sure, we can’t bring back the 60s, nor should we. But we can learn a thing or two from the mindset of that era and blend it with the best parts of our modern world.

If you’re a teen today—or just someone looking to sharpen your life skills—maybe it’s worth giving these tried-and-true methods a second look. You just might discover a sense of freedom and confidence you never knew you had.