From roller rinks and mall arcades to hopscotch and homemade milkshakes, families are reviving the hands-on rituals of the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. Here are 25 nostalgic activities that swap screens for shared experience—and feel surprisingly fresh again.

When Pinterest released its 2026 Parenting Trend Report, one theme stood out: Parents are reaching back into their own childhoods to connect with their kids. Searches are climbing for vintage toys, classic birthday parties, old-school sleepovers and analog crafts. And it’s not just about the aesthetic—it’s about experience. The ’70s, ’80s and ’90s were tactile, super social and slightly chaotic in the best way. The good news? A lot of that magic is easy to recreate. Here are 25 nostalgic activities you can try for yourself.

1. Make diner-style milkshakes at home.

Blend ice cream, milk and a splash of vanilla, then serve in tall glasses with straws and zero restraint.

2. Teach the kids to play jacks.

Scatter the metal pieces on the kitchen floor and show them how fast reflexes used to be entertainment.

3. Draw a hopscotch grid on the driveway.

Grab sidewalk chalk and a smooth stone and let the tournament begin.

4. Go to a drive-in movie.

Pack lawn chairs and blankets and lean into the novelty of watching a film under the stars. (Bonus points if you throw an air mattress in the trunk!)

5. Track down a vintage video game console.

Break out an old Nintendo, Sega or Atari and embrace the pixelated frustration.

6. Go roller skating on disco night.

Yes, complete with coloured lights, spinning mirror ball and slightly sticky floor.

7. Make friendship bracelets.

Embroidery floss, safety pins and the quiet intensity of pattern memorization.

8. Plan a mall hangout.

Wander, split a soft pretzel and let the kids experience the radical idea of browsing.

9. Build a backyard obstacle course.

Use hula hoops, skipping ropes and patio chairs for a DIY challenge in any season.

10. Record a “radio show” together.

You can cheat and use a smartphone to recreate cassette-era creativity, complete with fake ads and theme songs.

11. Play four square or kick the can.

Invite the neighbours and let the rule debates sort themselves out.

12. Set up a make-your-own sundae bar.

Chocolate syrup, maraschino cherries and sprinkles everywhere.

13. Host a family karaoke night.

Cue up power ballads or ’90s pop hits and commit fully.

14. Have a living room slumber party.

Popcorn, flashlight storytelling and mattresses dragged onto the floor.

15. Ride bikes to the corner store.

Give them a small budget and let them choose their own candy haul. (Obviously you should go too.)

16. Make shrinky dinks or perler beads.

Tiny plastic crafts that feel delightfully old-school.

17. Try double dutch or play with a Skip-It.

Prepare for mild shin injuries and serious bragging rights.

18. Play Twister or Guess Who?.

Board games that require movement, guessing and a little drama.

19. Host a lemonade or Kool-aid stand.

Hand-drawn signs and big entrepreneurial dreams included.

20. Play flashlight tag after dark.

The thrill of semi-darkness makes it feel bigger than it is.

21. Make homemade popsicles.

Pour juice into plastic moulds and wait impatiently.

22. Have a neon craft night.

Glitter glue, gel pens and full ’90s Lisa Frank energy.

23. Create a family time capsule.

Include printed photos, handwritten notes and one wildly outdated object.

24. Visit an old-school arcade.

Skee-ball, pinball and the satisfying clink of real coins.

25. Declare a screen-free Saturday.

Let boredom stretch long enough for imagination to take over.

Why Analog Play Still Matters

Long before parental controls and curated content feeds, play was largely unstructured—and that wasn’t a flaw. Analog activities ask kids to negotiate rules, tolerate frustration, problem-solve in real time and create their own fun. They build executive function, social confidence and resilience because nothing is automated and no one is optimizing the experience for them.

For parents, there’s another layer: shared memory. When you teach your child to play jacks or build a lemonade stand, you’re not just filling an afternoon—you’re passing down a piece of your own story. That continuity is powerful. It reminds kids that childhood isn’t something you scroll through. It’s something you do.