The 10 Best Things About Being a Kid 50 Years Ago

A new poll by retirement housebuilder McCarthy and Stone has revealed the simple pleasures that over 60’s most treasure about their childhood. Use the dropdown list on this page to see the results by region and nationally.

Vision Report - McCarthy Stone
Hobbies and interests
Posted 09 July 2021
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The 10 Best Things About Being a Kid 50 Years Ago

Best things about being a kid 50 years ago

Playing outside until it got dark, attending Sunday School and knowing your neighbours have been named as some of the best things about being a child 50 years ago – according to the over 60s. A poll by retirement housebuilder McCarthy and Stone has revealed the simple pleasures that over 60’s most treasure about their childhood. 

Playing outside until it got dark, having respect for your elders, knowing all your neighbours have been named as some of the best things about being a child 50 years ago – according to the over 60s in the UK

What skills have you passed on to your children and grandchildren?

New research showed that simple pleasures like good table manners, jigsaw puzzles and dominos are what the over 60’s in the UK most treasure about their childhood. Good table manners, jigsaw puzzles and dominos were also listed as cherished memories, the poll found.

What Grandparents think about Grandchildren's attitude to learning practical skills?

27.6% of respondents in the UK think that their grandparent taught them invaluable skills and they think it’s important they are passed on to their grandchildren. 79.5% answer that young people can learn a lot from the older generation. 62.2% in the UK suppose that part of being a Grandparent is passing on their skills.

The 10 Best Things About Being a Kid 50 Years Ago

What Grandparents think about Grandchildren's attitude to learning practical skills?

27.6% of respondents in the UK think that their grandparent taught them invaluable skills and they think it’s important they are passed on to their grandchildren. 79.5% answer that young people can learn a lot from the older generation. 62.2% in the UK suppose that part of being a Grandparent is passing on their skills.

Do you think being a child was more fun then than it is now?

Do you think being a child was more fun then than it is now?

27.6% of people in the UK said children were much better at making their own entertainment years ago. And 63.4% said they learned far more practical skills ‘back in their day’. Fortunately, 79.5 percent of grandparents in the UK said they passed on their wealth of knowledge to their grandchildren.

These findings were released to launch the search for GrandMakers as part of Royal Voluntary Service’s annual GrandFest – a one day festival taking place on June 18th in London. The event celebrated talented older people and the heritage skills they can pass on to the younger generation. Individuals aged 70 plus were invited to volunteer to teach at a GrandFest master-class or those age 60 plus at a GrandFest event at a McCarthy Stone development, where they were able to share, learn, or brush up on their skills in crafts such as jam making, wood turning, weaving and more.

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