Think about childhood without smartphones, the internet, or car seat belts. This was all too true for Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964. It seems like an era of post-war optimism, technological innovation, and cultural shift, all of their worlds apart from today shaped their childhoods.
According to the Pew Research Center, Baby Boomers represent the second largest generational group in the U.S., with over 70 million people, and their formative years unfolded during a time of massive change. Playing outside until the streetlights came on and growing up during the rise of television, their experiences give us a fascinating glimpse into what has, in so many ways, become a forgotten way of life.
Growing Up Without the Internet or Smartphones
Imagine not having Google, YouTube, or TikTok; that was the reality for boomers. They read books, played board games, socialized, and that was it. It wasn’t until the late 1970s that we got the first home computers, and the idea of a smartphone didn’t exist.
Pew research reveals that 96% of 18–29-year-olds today have a smartphone, indicating how central this technology is. When we break down these numbers by age, we see that 96% of Americans ages 18–29 currently own a smartphone, equivalent to 42% of online American adults watching video content on their smartphones.
Connecting again to more straightforward entertainment modes (playing board games or reading) offers much-needed respite from today’s hyper-digital world.
Adventures in the Great Outdoors
Back in the day, boomers spent most of their childhood outdoors, biking through neighborhoods, climbing trees, and playing with friends until the streetlights came on. Now, it’s screen time, and according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children aged 8–12 spend 4–6 hours each day at work in front of digital devices.
Investing a little more time at a park or a short walk around the neighborhood, outdoor camaraderie can reignite a sense of adventure Boomers knew in their youth.
Dinner Was a Family Affair
At one time, eating home-cooked meals with family was a regular occurrence, while fast food was a rare treat. According to the USDA, in 1950, 93 percent of meals were eaten at home; today, 66 percent are.
Reintroduce the tradition of family meals by planning one “screen-free” dinner night per week to reconnect.
A Workforce Without Automation or Remote Jobs
When boomers went to work, automation was barely a blip on the national radar, and nearly every job meant being onsite. It was (and is, for lack of a better word, and as much as the overuse of this term should irk me) unimaginable that people work remotely thanks to modern tech.
For example, a Gallup report says that in 2024, 33 percent of U.S. employees work remotely full-time —a sharp change. Remote work may have perks, but sometimes, taking measures to shake off that remote persona and spending time facing the people you work with closely can replicate Boomers’ connection in physical cubicles.
School Days Without Technology
Boomers were taught using chalkboards and physical textbooks. Research meant going to the library, not a Google search. They were taught typing on typewriters, not laptops. Today, more than 89% of schools in the U.S. are connecting their students to the Internet (NCES).
Technology that can balance traditional resources( like books) gives students a well-rounded educational experience.
Living Through a Transformational Political Climate
The Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and the Cold War all happened during their lifetimes, defining their worldview. Unlike today, when social media floods timelines 24/7, their news stars with newspapers and nightly broadcasts.
Reflection on past social movements may bring meaningful context to future generations’ understanding of today’s socio-political challenges.
Toys and Games That Required Imagination
Boomers grew up playing with slinkies, hula hoops, and board games. Unlike today’s standard video games, most toys in the past encouraged physical activity or imaginative play. A report by IBISWorld states that video games are a $98.7 billion industry in the U.S.
Bring board games to family gatherings to help recreate Boomers’ fun when playing together.
Budgeting With Cash—No Apps Required
Boomers relied heavily on cash and physical budgeting techniques. Mobile banking was decades away, and credit cards didn’t exist until the late 1970s. Millions of Millennials and Gen Z owe their financial help to today’s apps. Try setting aside physical cash to gain a tangible appreciation for spending habits.
Health Wasn’t a Mainstream Focus
Back then, there was almost no health and wellness industry, and gym memberships were rare. Yet nutrition information was scarce. The CDC reported that since the 1960s, obesity rates have tripled, in part because diets have changed and people are less physically active.
Mixing old habits with new health trends and trying a fitness class or dietitian is the way to go.
Family Life Revolved Around a Single TV
Growing up in Boomer homes, most families had one television. They all sat around together and watched shows. Nielsen’s data shows that, on average, an American household now has more than 2 TVs, and the number of streams available on various services has increased the number of viewing options.
Having fun as a family doesn’t have to be complicated. To recreate these bonding moments, have a family movie night once a week.
Vacation Was a Road Trip
International flights were expensive and not often taken, so most family vacations for Boomers were road trips within the country. Nowadays, affordable air travel makes global vacations possible.
Rediscover road trips by rediscovering your surroundings and supporting small local businesses.
Fashion Trends Were Cyclical and Bold
The Boomers experimented with fashion, offering bell bottoms and bright tie–dye shirts with explosive colors and styles. They rejected the norm and made fashion a statement of individualism. Some of these styles have been fast-forwarded to today, proving that what goes around comes around when it comes to fashion.
Tie-dye was a massive trend for the Boomer era in the 1960s, and that bubble returned in 2020 when loungewear became so popular during the pandemic.
Home Life Without Smart Tech
Boomers grew up in a simpler time when you didn’t need a smartphone to turn on your iron or microwave. Laundry was also manually washed, and household security relied on locks—nothing sophisticated like high-tech alarm systems.
With fewer conveniences, Boomers appreciated simple life hacks compared to today’s gadget-heavy homes.
Cooking From Scratch Every Day
Boomer households didn’t have convenience foods like frozen dinners; most meals were made from scratch. Statista reports that microwave penetration in homes was still just 1% in 1965 but is over 90% today.
If you have one weekend off, explore home-cooked and nourishing recipes in honor of the Boomer dining experience.
Reflecting on the Era That Shaped Them
The Boomer generation has seen incredible change, including innovations and upheavals that didn’t even exist during childhood. Their enduring resilience and adaptation to a continuously changing world are instructive for those who follow in their footsteps.
While Millennials and Gen Z marvel at the struggle and simplicity of Boomer life, reminiscing about it is an opportunity to appreciate the wonders we have today.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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