Discover nine Gen X childhood adventures—like unsupervised tree-climbing and thumb-out hitchhiking—that would send today’s safety-first parents into a panic. Ready to relive the reckless fun?

There’s a huge gap between how we Gen Xers were raised and the way modern children are brought up.

In our days, we did things that would send today’s parents into fits of panic.

Let me take you on a nostalgia trip, highlighting nine things we did as kids that would absolutely terrify today’s over-protective parents.

So sit back, relax, and get ready for a wild ride down memory lane.

1) Outdoor adventures galore

Back in our day, we didn’t have the luxury of smartphones and tablets to keep us entertained. We had the great outdoors – and boy, did we make the most of it.

We spent hours outside, exploring the woods, climbing trees, building forts – the world was our playground. And we did it all without adult supervision, armed only with our imagination and a sense of adventure.

These days, however, the idea of letting kids roam free in the great outdoors without constant supervision would probably give most parents a heart attack. It’s all about safety now – helmets for bike rides, knee pads for skateboarding, and never venturing too far from an adult’s watchful eye.

Sure, safety is essential, but it’s still interesting to see just how different childhood experiences can be across generations. And who knows – maybe there’s a middle ground to be found between the carefree freedom of our childhood and the safety-conscious parenting of today.

2) Hitching a ride

I remember a time when hitching a ride was not only common but also an acceptable way to get around. Crazy, right?

One summer, my friends and I decided to go to the nearby lake for a swim. The problem? It was 10 miles away and none of us had a car. So, we did what any Gen X kid would do – we stuck out our thumbs and hitched a ride.

Now, I can already hear the gasps from modern parents. “But that’s so dangerous!” And yes, by today’s standards, it absolutely is. But back then, it was just another part of our adventurous youth.

These days, the very idea of letting your kids hitchhike would probably send most parents into a frenzy of worry. And rightly so – the world has changed and what was once seen as harmless fun is now considered extremely risky.

But looking back, I can’t help but feel a little nostalgic for those simpler times when such innocent adventures were possible.

3) No seat belts

It’s hard to imagine a time when seat belts weren’t standardized in cars. But during our childhood, many of us Gen Xers traveled in cars without any seat belts at all.

In some cases, we’d pile into the back of a station wagon, bouncing around freely as our parents drove. In other cases, we sat on an adult’s lap in the front seat, no restraint in sight.

Today, every state in the U.S requires that children use a car seat or booster seat until they are between 8 and 12 years old, depending on their height and weight. Not to mention, it’s illegal to ride in a car without wearing a seat belt in most states.

It’s definitely a good thing that car safety has improved so much, but it’s interesting to reflect on how much things have changed.

4) No cell phones

For us Gen Xers, a significant part of our childhood was spent without the safety net of a cell phone. If we got lost or ended up in a sticky situation, we couldn’t just pull out a phone and call for help.

We had to rely on our wits and problem-solving skills to get out of tricky situations. We had to memorize important phone numbers, use public payphones, and ask strangers for directions when we were lost.

In today’s digital age, it’s hard to imagine letting your child go anywhere without a cell phone. It’s become an essential tool for safety and communication. But back in our day, we managed just fine without them – and it taught us some valuable lessons about independence and resourcefulness.

5) Playing with fireworks

For many of us, playing with fireworks was a thrilling part of our childhood, especially on special occasions like the Fourth of July. We’d light up the sky with sparklers, Roman candles, and even the occasional firecracker.

Today, the thought of children playing with fireworks unsupervised is enough to send any parent into a panic. With the potential for serious injuries and even fires, it’s a risky activity that’s best left to professionals.

While it’s undoubtedly safer to keep fireworks out of kids’ hands, there’s something to be said for the awe and excitement we felt as kids, watching those bright colors explode in the night sky. It was a different time indeed.

6) Saying goodbye to mom and dad

As Gen X kids, we often spent our summers away from home, going to sleepaway camps or visiting relatives for weeks on end. Saying goodbye to our parents at the start of summer was just a part of life.

These experiences taught us resilience, independence, and how to cope with homesickness. We learned how to make new friends, navigate unfamiliar environments, and take care of ourselves.

In today’s hyper-connected world, the thought of sending a child off without daily contact or the ability to check in regularly might seem unthinkable to many parents. But for us, those long summer goodbyes were part of growing up, and they shaped us into the independent adults we are today.

7) Free-range biking

I remember the sense of freedom that came with hopping on my bike, without a set destination, and just exploring the neighborhood until the streetlights came on. There were no cell phones to track my location or text my parents if I was going to be late.

My bike was my ticket to adventure, from racing with friends to discovering hidden trails. It was also a lesson in responsibility, as I had to make sure I was back home before dark.

Today’s parents might shudder at the thought of their kids biking around town without supervision or specific boundaries. But those bike rides were a cornerstone of my childhood, filled with adventure, independence, and life lessons.

8) Junk food galore

In the Gen X era, we didn’t have the same awareness about healthy eating as we do today. Our diets were often filled with sugary cereals, sodas, and snack foods that today’s parents might consider off-limits.

Fast food was a treat, and we relished every bite without guilt or concern about calories or nutritional content. Candy bars and potato chips were common snacks, and soda was often the drink of choice.

Today’s focus on organic food and healthy snacks is definitely a positive shift. But for us Gen Xers, it’s interesting to look back at our childhood diets and how much our understanding of nutrition has evolved.

9) No helicopter parenting

In our day, parents weren’t hovering over every aspect of our lives. We were given the freedom to make mistakes, get hurt, and learn from our experiences.

This hands-off approach meant we had to learn a lot of things the hard way. But it also fostered resilience, independence, and problem-solving skills that have served us well in adulthood.

Today’s parenting style is much more involved and protective, which certainly has its benefits. But there’s something to be said for the lessons learned through a scrape on the knee or a lost game of neighborhood baseball. These experiences, tough as they were, made us who we are today.