It seems unimaginable that there was a time when we didn’t have the answer to any question in the palm of our hand, nor could we send an instant message to a friend or upload a photo of our dinner for the World to see in a matter of swipes.

The internet has formed a huge part of our everyday life from booking appointments to finding the best restaurant or even completing homework, not to mention how we shop! Yet it’s easy to forget this is still a fairly recent development in human life, and that not too long ago everything had to be done either in person or over the phone, or even by writing a letter before we had instant communication in the form of an email.

So, what exactly did we do to fill up those lunch breaks or spare time after school when there wasn’t the internet to keep us company?

The Great Outdoors

It’s sad but very true that growing up in the 90’s kids used to play outdoors much more than kids do today. Activities such as building tree houses and also playground gyms which most kids had in their backyards would keep us entertained for hours.

Then there was the traditional games such as hide and seek, which if you played near woodland or open fields would take place over many hours and you would invite all your friends to play along too.

Though today’s World is a little different and arguably a more dangerous place, in the 90’s kids were always encouraged to explore nature and create their own entertainment outdoors in the yard or in the local neighborhood. It had a real social feel to it especially if you made friends who were older or from other schools.

Games such as football and basketball would encourage you to join teams and make friends whilst teaching you new skills and keeping you fit at the same time.

Gaming

It wasn’t just outdoor play that kept us entertained pre-internet! Like in today’s World, gaming was huge in the 90’s though the consoles we used were a little different. Swap up your Xbox for something more like the Nintendo 64 or your Amiga 3000 and you are halfway there.

The games of yesteryear were not super sophisticated like the ultra sharp graphics we have today, yet they had character and charm that was always fun especially if you had friends over and the game was a multiplayer.

Puzzle games such as the Rubix Cube also super popular in the 90’s, especially for long car journeys. Remember there was no ipad to keep you entertained as you repeatedly asked your parents “Are we there yet?!” It was not uncommon for a family to own a domino set or chessboard either.

The Mall

These days most things can be bought online though back in the day the only option was to go get it yourself!

In the days pre-internet going to the mall was a major event, and people would even dress up and it was a real social event especially if you were a teenager.

Back in the 90’s malls were always busy and you would go with your friendship groups to try on new clothes, buy CD’s and cassette tapes before heading for a milkshake or burger.

The way we shopped was very different and much more of a visual experience in the store as there wasn’t the website or social media to influence us like there is today.

House Invader

These days it can feel like we don’t need to visit anyone’s house because it’s on Facebook for all to see, and if we want to speak to our friends we can instant message them without having to do it in person.

Pre-internet you actually had to make the effort to go around to your friends house to hang out with them! Whilst kids of today still do this, it was a major thing back in the 90’s when other than the phone (landline!) it was the only way to spend time with each other.

For example, need advice on new outfit for the school dance? Have gossip you want to share? Yep, you’ll have to go round, knock on the door to see if they are in first and do it in person!

Hanging out at friends houses was quite the social occasion and it meant your parents got to meet your friends too. If you were lucky they’d even make you snacks whilst you watched a movie or played on your Nintendo.

Sleepovers were also popular when you were at school and a great way to bond with friends. Though usually you’d stay up all night chatting and causing havoc instead of sleeping! Then you’d talk about it all week at school.

Karaoke

Whilst singing along badly into a microphone didn’t fill the entire decade, Karaoke machines were huge in the 90’s and were readily available at most retailers. You could bet your bottom dollar if you went to a party there would be one and everyone would fight over having a go!

Watching your friends and family take part whilst the lyrics went by on the TV screen would fill hours and was a real social activity. These days Karaoke is usually confined to bars rather than in our homes.

The Cinema

Let’s be honest the cinema has never gone out of fashion, though in the 90’s there was no Netflix or movie streaming services available like there is today, and so a lot less choice about what we could watch and when.

Going to the cinema was a real event we all looked forward to and was also a popular choice for first dates. It was the only way to see a movie unless you wanted to wait until it was released on VHS many months later.

Theme Parks

Amusement parks and fairground rides that would roll into town a few days each summer and would be a super exciting event that would involve all your friends.

There would be a hotdog stand, candyfloss, balloons and all manner of rides that would spin you upside down and scare you half to death and leave you feeling a little queasy…. but it was all part of the fun!