Summer Like It's 1985!

Summer Like It’s 1985! How to give your kids the summer you had.

Summer is here in full force with it’s long days and hot temps. Summertime always brings back fond memories of my summers as a kid. We spent our days playing with friends and enjoying the warm evenings. Summer was a lot different back in the 80s than it is for kids today.

But there’s no reason your kids can’t summer like it’s 1985. Here’s a quick little guide to help you harken back to the good ole days. You know, the ones without technology and over scheduled days. The ones where time seemed to stand still. Whether you Summer Like It’s 1985 for a day, a week or the even whole summer, your kids will love every minute.

:: Leave the House & Don’t Come Back Until Dark

When we were kids, we would leave the house in the morning and not come home until dark. Don’t ask me how we ate meals and snacks. I don’t really remember. I just remember my mom calling me home when it started to get dark. Try the same with your kids. Go to the park, take a hike, find a swimming hole. Head outside and enjoy it, without all the toys and gadgets.

:: Go Barefoot

I don’t think we wore shoes during the summer in the 80s. I have distinct memories of my feet burning on the hot pavement when I ran to a friends house to play. Cut your kids a little slack this summer and make shoes totally optional.

:: Hit Up the Skating Rink

All the cool kids spent their summer at the skating rink doing the limbo and rocking out to the best of the 80s. Load up the van and take your kids to the local skate rink. Many skate centers offer Kids Skate Free Days so it’s really affordable. Just don’t forget the leg warmers and neon t-shirts.

:: Catch Fireflies

There’s nothing more memorable for 80s kids than hanging out in the backyard catching fireflies. The past two summers I’ve seen them out in droves. Grab an old spaghetti jar and let the kids catch as many as they can. Then run inside into a dark closet and see them glow!

:: Play in the Sprinkler

Families with pools were few and far between in the 80s. And back then the community pool was often too far away and closed on Mondays. If you wanted to get wet, you turned on the sprinkler. Let your kids run through the sprinklers. And get creative like when you were a kid. I remember wrapping the house around our swing set slide to pretend it was a waterslide. We also poked holes in 2 liter coke bottles and attached the hose to the bottle. Endless possibilities and no pool needed.

:: Ride Bikes

In the 80s, your bike was your primary mode of transport. No one had electric scooters or hover boards. Half the kids in our neighborhood now ride on golf carts when they need to get around. Ditch the motorized vehicles and grab your bike (or trike!) and go on and adventure. It’s even better if you pack a walkie talkie so you can keep in touch with mom and all your friends.

:: Have a Family Movie Night with 80s Classics

Remember going to an icy cold movie theater to see the summer blockbuster? Relive those days and have a family night with some of your favorite 80s kids classics like The Goonies, The Princess Bride, Back to the Future, The Karate Kid, Big, Space Camp and Short Circuit. Don’t forget the Jiffy Pop!

:: Use Your Imagination!

When we were kids we didn’t have tons of elaborate toys. We made up games and adventures galore. If you need a little help jump starting your imagination, head over to Radio Flyer’s Travel Agency Just for Kids. As part of their 100th Anniversary celebration Radio Flyer created a travel agency just for kids. Instead of heading to Disneyland kids can visit the Valley of Ogres, Discover Ninja Moose Canyon or several other imaginative destinations right in your own backyard!

While big brother was a camp this week, James and I set out to explore a Stinky Broccoli Forest. We packed up our Radio Flyer 3-in-1 EZ Fold Wagon With Canopy and hit the trail towards the forest.We had one right next to our house! I bet you have one nearby too. Grab your wagon, trike or bike and let your imagination run wild as you set off on one of these imaginative Radio Flyer’s Travel Agency adventures.

Radio Flyer is probably the most iconic and timeless of children’s brands. Nothing says summer like a kid pulling a Radio Flyer Classic Red Wagon. For 100 years, Radio Flyer has been inspiring imagination in kids of all ages with their wagons, tricycles and other ride-ons. If your kids would love a set of Radio Flyer wheels of their own don’t miss the Stars & Stripes Giveaway. It’s your chance to bring home the World’s Most loved brand for kids wheels. Radio Flyer is giving away a different set of wheels every day in June. Find out more and enter the giveaway here.