Growing up in the 90s, life felt a bit simpler. Sundays were a proper family day, the shops were closed, and a Sunday drive with the family was just what you did. Nostalgia aside, here are 10 childhood things I loved that kids still love just as much today.
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#1. Penny Sweets & Mix-Ups
There was nothing better as a kid than getting your pocket money, hopping on your bike, and heading to the local shop to work out the best way to spend it. Value was always judged on quantity, so a good chunk of that money went on penny sweets and jelly mix-ups — you wanted as much as possible in the bag.
The exact sweets (and the coins) may have changed, but the concept hasn’t: kids still love a bag of mixed sweets because it’s fun, it’s a treat, and it feels like great value.
#2. Mr Freeze Ice Pops
There was nothing better than being handed a Mr Freeze ice pop, completely out of the blue, on a hot summer’s day spent playing with friends. The moment a parent shouted “would anyone like a Mr Freeze?” every kid dropped what they were doing and raced to get first pick of the flavours.
Has anything changed? Not really — Mr Freeze is still a firm favourite, and kids still compete for first choice.
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#3. Picking Wild Blackberries
As a kid, I loved going to my uncle’s garden with a big bowl, competing with my siblings and cousins to see who could pick the most blackberries and raspberries.
My own kids now love doing exactly the same thing — not just for the fresh fruit, but for the novelty of it, and that same competitive streak to be the one who picks the most.
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#4. Puzzles, Jigsaws, Colouring Books and Lego
There’s something lovely about watching kids get creative in a simple, traditional way — drawing, building with Lego, working through puzzles or dot-to-dots. It’s satisfying to watch kids doing what kids have done for generations.
Despite the constant pull of screens, kids are still drawn to this kind of hands-on play — only the parents have changed.
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#5. Football Sticker Albums
For years, I spent most of my pocket money on packets of football stickers, chasing those seemingly impossible ones that no one else ever seemed to have. But the real satisfaction was watching those blank pages slowly fill up.
Sticker book collecting is still just as popular a hobby with kids today as it ever was — the packets just cost a bit more than they used to.
#6. The Zoo
As a kid, Dublin Zoo defined many of my summers, so trips there with my own kids now feel like a trip back down memory lane.
The zoo had it all: the picnic, the treats, that rock-hard lolly on a string around your neck, the souvenir shop, the exotic animals, the excited car journey there, and the sweet stalls tempting you on the way out. Every part of the summer zoo trip was a childhood delight.
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#7. Picnics — and Not Just in Summer!
There was, and still is if my kids are anything to go by, nothing better than a picnic on a warm summer’s day — or even on a chilly one, just to inject some fun into family life.
The location was always pretty much irrelevant. The real excitement was in the preparation and anticipation: packing the basket in the morning, piling into the car, and finally digging into all the picnic treats you’d forgotten you’d even packed. That’s still exactly what picnics are about.
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#8. Trips to Granny and Grandad’s House
Being a Dub born to two country parents, going to Granny and Grandad’s house meant heading “down the country” for at least one sleepover.
That meant a long car journey, stop-offs in towns and villages along the way for ice cream, and — if we were really lucky — lunch somewhere special. And that was all before we’d even arrived, with plenty more treats still to come once we got there.
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#9. Going to Matches with Your Dad on a Sunday
From the age of seven or eight, my dad took me to Croke Park almost every Sunday without fail, and it’s still one of my favourite childhood memories.
Getting to spend a whole day with my dad, just the two of us, was special in itself, but every little detail added up: cheering together, getting hats and flags, soaking up the match-day atmosphere, learning about the game, and talking it all over on the way home. Judging by my own kids’ reaction to a big day out at Croke Park, this is still just as exciting an experience today.
#10. Sleepovers
Like so much on this list, a sleepover is something we all associate with childhood, no matter when ours was.
The sense of adventure, the excitement of sleeping somewhere other than your own bed, and that first small taste of independence — these are exactly what made sleepovers exciting then, and what makes them exciting for kids today.
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Over to You
What are the childhood things you loved? Share them in the comments below — we’d love to hear which ones your own kids still enjoy today.
FAQs
Are penny sweets and mix-ups still available today?
Yes — most local shops and sweet shops still sell mixed bags of sweets by weight or in pre-made bags. The idea of picking a personal favourite selection hasn’t changed.
Why do kids still enjoy “old-fashioned” activities like sticker albums and jigsaws?
These activities give kids a sense of achievement, focus, and something to show for their effort — qualities that don’t go out of fashion, even alongside newer forms of entertainment.
Is picking your own fruit still a popular family activity?
Yes, fruit picking remains a popular family day out. Check with your local farm or fruit garden for current availability and opening details before you go.
What makes sleepovers such a lasting childhood tradition?
Sleepovers give children a safe first taste of independence and a sense of adventure, which is why they’ve stayed popular across generations.
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- 11 Of The Best Things You Should Have For The Family Picnic
- Why Grandparents Are Important For Childhood
- 11 Entertaining Sleepover Games For the Best Slumber Party Ever
Save This for Later
Loved this trip down memory lane? Bookmark this article or share it with a friend who’ll remember these just as fondly — it’s a nice one to revisit next summer.
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