Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
Posted on 06/09/2026 7:57:49 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Schools are letting out, and whether you've got kids or not, something about this time of year still hits differently.
Summer stopped being a vacation for most of us a long time ago — but try telling that to the part of your brain still wired to Press Your Luck ("No Whammys!") and the smell of a freshly opened Slip 'n Slide. Core memories are funny that way. Once they're in, they're in for good.
'80s Summers Meant Home By the Streetlights, Gone By Morning
For a solid ten weeks a year, you roamed your little universe without anyone — or anything — tracking your whereabouts. You more than likely stayed within four blocks of your house (except on those infamous bike-ride journeys to parts unknown), and yes, it's true, you were required to be home the moment the streetlights flickered on, and not a minute later. You did not want to be one of those "It's 11 o'clock — do you know where your children are?" kids.
But here we are, older now, and those core memories come flooding back when we least expect them. The smell of fresh-cut grass takes you back to your terribly mismanaged lawn-cutting business. The crack of a Bang Snap on the hot pavement takes you right back to your best friend's driveway on a Tuesday afternoon with nowhere to be. The sting of chlorine reminds you of those full-day public pool sessions with not a patch of shade in sight and a sunburn you absolutely did not tell Mom about.
1980s Lawn Chair
We recently covered the iconic 1980s toys of summer, but now it's time to give proper respect to the moments, the smells, the sights, and the sounds of a truly proper 1980s summer vacation — when being a kid was your number one job, and it was, without question, a blast.
The Family Station Wagon With No Air Conditioning
Not only did you sometimes ride in the very back of the family wagon facing traffic, but there wasn't a lick of air conditioning, which meant all the windows were down, bugs were in your teeth (back when there actually were bugs), and your hair got a natural blow-out whether you wanted one or not.
Reading Archie Digests Under a Tree on a Hot Day
Not sure why, but reading comics just hit different during summer vacation. They were cheap, easy, and if you didn't have a lot of kids to hang with, cracking open an Archie Digest and spending an afternoon with Archie and the gang always did the trick.
The Chaos of the County Fair
Growing up in the '80s already meant less parental supervision than kids have today, but nothing took that further than the county fair, when dad would hand you a five-dollar bill, say "Have fun!" and disappear. You'd go on all the rides, eat all the cotton candy, and somehow make it home having narrowly avoided arrest, injury, or both.
Endless Bike Rides to Far Off Places
Back before AirTags tracked your every move, the neighborhood kids would go off on some serious adventures — sometimes even packing a lunch (though you'd inevitably stop at a corner store for chips anyway). You'd end up at a quarry, an empty lot, somebody's older brother's hangout spot, or nowhere in particular — and just be there, because that's exactly what made summer great.
Waiting All Week for Friday Night's Movie on TV
It might be hard to believe for kids today, but back in the '80s, you'd wait all week for the "movie TV event of the century" when the big hits finally played on Friday nights. Of course, you'd tune in for Grease or Jaws only to find all the good parts cut to make room for commercials — but life was good.
Watching (and Re-enacting) the 1984 Summer Olympics
While summer was meant for being outside, 1984 was special since the Olympics in LA were all about cool athletes like Carl Lewis, Mary Lou Retton, and Greg Louganis, who looked like movie stars — or in Mitch Gaylord's case, actually became one for a short while. Suddenly every kid in America was practicing the long jump, gymnastics routines, and yes, javelin in the backyard, usually with a stick and zero regard for the neighbors.
The Friday Night Blockbuster Run
For many '80s kids (post-'85), it became a ritual to head to Blockbuster with mom and dad and pick out that weekend's flicks. For the pre-'85 crowd, this meant hitting the independent video store and not only renting VHS tapes, but also renting the actual player — and possibly even a videodisc. Yes, you rented the whole machine.
Collecting "Pretty Rocks"
You fancied yourself quite the gem hunter, which was really just stealing rocks from the neighbor's driveway. But nothing beat the sorting process, where you carefully separated the nice ones from the ones that were obviously precious gems.
Knowing That One Kid in the Neighborhood With a Pool
It was the holy grail of summer activities: not having to schlep to the public pool and instead knowing a kid with an actual backyard pool. It was heaven, pure and simple.
Playing in a Possibly Polluted Creek With Your Friends
Endless summer adventures meant poking around the nearest "creek" with your friends, completely unaware that the water probably wasn’t all that safe.
Catching frogs at the pond and releasing them the next day
Speaking of playing in the creek, you had it all worked out: you'd catch tadpoles and frogs with your pals, keep them overnight in a precarious aquarium, then release them the next day. Mom agreed to the whole arrangement. But sometimes, it didn't always work out exactly as intended. RIP
The After-Swim Sandwich Experience
It's science: Nothing hit on a summer's day quite like a soggy sandwich, a handful of rippled chips, and the smell of chlorine everywhere.
Coming in When the Streetlights Come On
Almost cliché now, but for ’70s and ’80s kids, “home by the streetlights” was the rule that defined freedom and signaled the end of another perfect summer day. As the TV news asked in those days, "It's 11 o'clock. Do you know where your children are?"
The Sound of Ice Clinking in a Cold Glass of Cherry Kool-Aid
Kool-Aid was the official drink of summer in the '70s and '80s, and if it was red, you weren't sure if it was cherry or strawberry or some other berry, but it sure did stain your lips. Let's just say it was cherry.
Slipping, Sliding and Risking Tetanus on the Slip'n Slide
Summer's ultimate thrill ride, until you hit a rock, got a hose to the face, or skidded right into Mom's azaleas. That said, it was totally worth it, and what you wouldn't give to throw your aching body onto that wet yellow tarp now.
Riding Bikes Without Helmets
Wear a helmet? Please -- Evel Knievel barely did, and he jumped over buses for a living.
The Smell of Freshly Cut Grass
The smell of freshly cut grass — especially from the neighbor’s yard — hung thick in the summer air, a not-so-subtle reminder that your own lawn still needed mowing if you wanted that allowance.
Watching Old TV Shows on Rainy Days
On rainy days, Mom might cut you some slack and let you watch TV—usually reruns of Gilligan’s Island, The Beverly Hillbillies, or The Brady Bunch. It was always strange to catch Christmas episodes when it was the middle of July. Summer had no rules.
The Marvel That Was Flintstone's Push Ups
Nothing hit quite like a Flintstones Push-Ups on a blazing hot day. Creamy, somewhat chalky "sherbet" meets toilet paper tube and that plastic stick that always snapped off too soon.
Roller-Skate Dates and Summer Crush Heartbreaks
Fueled by campy hits like Xanadu and the rise of roller disco, ’70s and ’80s kids flocked to the roller rink, hoping for a slow-skate moment with their summer crush. Heartbreak was common. So were concussions
Even Playing Board Games Had to Be Done Outside
Even board games didn’t earn you a pass to stay inside, so you’d drag Sorry! or The Game of Life out to the yard, where half the pieces inevitably vanished into the grass (and the mower). If it rained, though, the garage was fair game.
Ice Cream Sandwiches (That Wouldn't Melt)
Peeling back the waxy paper on one of these little treats was a summertime ritual, as was trying to get the chocolate unstuck from the top of your mouth. Strangely, you could set it down to take your turn at tetherball and come back ten minutes later, and it’d still be perfectly intact.
Carefully Capturing Summer Memories on Your Polaroid Camera
Before everything was easy and instantly shareable, snapping summer vacation pics on a Polaroid felt like pure magic. The film wasn’t cheap (major allowance drain), and getting your friends into the perfect pyramid pose took serious coordination. There were no redos, so just one shot to get it right.
Recording American Top 40 on Your Tape Recorder
Before playlists were even a thing, your summer soundtrack was handmade — recorded onto a cassette during American Top 40, finger hovering nervously over the button, praying Casey Kasem wouldn’t talk too much over the intro.
Going to the Movie Theater With Huge Groups of Friends
Hard to believe now, but there was a time when packs of teens and tweens headed to the movies together (even on weeknights) — and no one thought twice about it.
Keeping Fireflies in Jars
One reason kids don’t do this much anymore? There just aren’t as many fireflies around these days. That said, trapping them in jars was kind of mean—magical, but mean.
Ring Pops Were Summer's Most Elegant Treat
They were summer’s most essential accessory — and one misguided chomp could end the fun fast. Still, nothing looked quite as beautiful as a freshly unwrapped Ring Pop shimmering in the afternoon sun.
Sitting in This Chair Doing Nothing But Thinking
Summer vacation was all about fun — but also deep, thoughtful contemplation, usually done while sitting in this exact chair, doing absolutely nothing. Who would your teacher be in the fall? Would your crush notice you at the big game on Sunday? And seriously... who shot J.R.?
Risking Life and Limb Waiting for Candy to Be Thrown at You During Parades
There just seemed to be more parades in the ’70s and ’80s—whether for the Fourth of July or some local festival celebrating your town’s most famous vegetable. The goal? Sit tight, wait for the candy to fly, and if it meant diving under a horse for a rogue Tootsie Roll… so be it.
Hanging Out in One of These Pavilion Things
The ultimate summer hideout for riding out an afternoon storm, swapping Wacky Packs or Garbage Pail Kids, and digging into your candy haul from the corner store.
Getting Third Degree Burns on This Metal Slide
A rite of passage for '70s and '80s kids before playgrounds were made "safe."
Screaming "NO WHAMMYS!" at the Top of Your Lungs
The original Press Your Luck (1983-1986) was part cartoon, part game show, and since kids were home during summer break and watching daytime TV, Press Your Luck (along with other game shows like Card Sharks, The Price Is Right, and Family Feud) became part of the nostalgic summer memory bank.
This Rusty Metal Merry-Go-Round
You’d hold on for dear life as your friends spun it faster and faster, until someone flew off, cried, or both.
The Sound of This Bird Outside Your Bedroom Window in the Early Morning
Recent online discussions and memes have pointed out how the call of the mourning dove has become a staple of summer nostalgia, evoking quiet early mornings in bed, with nothing but adventure waiting outside.
Making Your Voice Sound Like Darth Vader by Speaking Into a Box Fan in Your Bedroom Window
Kids today might ask, “Weren’t you bored without a phone?” And you’d say, “Nope, I had a box fan to talk into like Darth Vader. Hours of entertainment.”
Getting Mad at Your Snoopy Sno-Cone Maker (That Thing Didn't Work)
It was colorful, promised deliciously frosty fun, and delivered… pure frustration. The ice barely shaved, your hand cramped up, but somehow, you used it well into your teens.
Wondering How TV Families Went on Huge Vacations to Far-Off Places
Watching TV families take extravagant summer vacations always raised some eyebrows at home. How did the Bradys afford a trip to Hawaii and the Grand Canyon? Meanwhile, you were lucky to make it to your cousin’s above-ground pool.
Spending Your Allowance at the Bowling Alley and Arcade
Nothing said freedom like blowing your entire allowance at the bowling alley (really, just the snack bar) and arcade. If you spend any time in Vegas now, it's probably because you enjoyed both during the summers of your youth.
Drinking Whatever Was in These Iconic Tupperware Jugs
If your family didn’t have one of these Tupperware jugs, your grandma definitely did. They always smelled like whatever was first stored in them, but whether it held Kool-Aid, Welch’s grape juice, or Country Time lemonade, it tasted like summer.
Pretending You Weren't Scared of 'Thriller' at Birthday Parties
When The Making of Thriller came out on VHS in 1984, it became a staple at summer birthday parties. You’d laugh nervously and say it was “totally cool," but MJ’s yellow eyes in that final scene and his zombie face stuck with you way longer than the party favors.
Cheating Death While Playing Lawn Darts
Precious family time in the yard usually meant a game of lawn darts (sorry, Jarts), and that meant that dad or your older brother (with beer in hand) would play a little too hard, you have the scar on the back of your head to prove it.
Flying Gliders!
The best part about these planes was how they flew like the real deal. They'd do loop-da-loops and soar long distances if they caught the breeze, often ending up on the roof or in the neighbor's yard.
Only Drinking Water From the Garden Hose
Over the past year, plenty of ’70s and ’80s kids have admitted they don’t really remember drinking actual water, unless it came straight from the garden hose.
|
|
Click here: to donate by Credit Card Or here: to donate by PayPal Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794 Thank you very much and God bless you. |
“Party at the moon tower”
80s?
The 60s, and all times before, were the time to be a kid.
Here in the Big Valley we would stay out and carouse all night and sleep in past noon the next day. Watching the sun come up was normal for almost all under 20 and without a job.
BECAUSE IT WAS SO FRIGGIN’ HOT.
But the nights...the nights...were special.
I’m a few years earlier, so the movies and cold treats were different (Bomb Pops before Flintstones Push-Ups).
Being from Connecticut, Wiffle Ball was a major part, with all sorts of house rules to deal with backyard dimensions. (Under the fence is a double, over is a home run. Fouls on the roof are outs if the fielder catches it in air, with teammates telling him which way to go. The elm tree was first base, and if the pitcher fielded the ball, he could get an out by throwing at and hitting the tree before the runner got there. If he missed, the runner gets another base. Etc.
Saturday night our parents put us all in the station wagon and off to the drive in theatre. All the windows down and my dad lit a punk coil on the dashboard to keep the mosquitoes out. Good times!
No more core memory by the 1980s. All semiconductor, at least in the USA.
“off to the drive in theatre”
Triple feature.
Over at 0230.
80s?
Broken back, divorce, divorce, moved to San Diego.
At least I finished college (after work everyday), and met my current wife.
The 60s, and all times before, were the time to be a kid.
Yeah, I was in my 30s in the 80s. It was '50s and early '60s for me.
I was a kid in the 90’s in an area that was middle to upper-middle class, and a lot of this applied to us, too.
Being able to meander around town was so freeing. Nowadays there are cameras and phones and GPS everywhere. Not awesome.
Iconic Cars From the ‘80s We Totally Forgot About
Main thing I remember about the ‘80s was folks speaking nostalgically about the ‘40s.
“Risking Life and Limb Waiting for Candy to Be Thrown at You During Parades”
Another item now banned because ‘somebody might get hurt.’
I participated in local parades in my old Oregon locale & had to walk around handing candy directly to a kid.
For me, it was the 50s 60s 70s - hoola hoops, frisbees and jarts - and long days in a small woods with some friends and our dogs or bike trips to a local park with a swimming pool and playing along the river and the railroad tracks.
There was a huge drive in next to my high school. The door behind the screen was open. There might have been a ladder that went straight up to the top.
The 80’s were a phenomenal time to grow up. There was a general sense of optimism even during the challenging times. I would go back in an instant if possible despite all of the “modern conveniences” we have now. As I have gotten older, I have gained more appreciation for how great the 80’s were. I wish had the maturity to recognize and appreciate the experience more as I was living it. But, being a goofball kid, it went right over my head.
And yes, I was with a group that regularly went to midnight showings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.