Rare Photos Showing What Growing Up in the 1920s Was Really Like

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to grow up 100 years ago? Thanks to photography, we can take a peek into the past and see what children were up to in the early 20th century. Whether shooting hoops, taking a dip in a lake or riding scooters, turns out kids of the 1920s weren’t so different from today’s children. Except for the smoking part, of course. Take a look at these fascinating and rare photos from a century ago.

Sharing a Smoke

Here, two little boys share a cigarette in November 1928.

Hoop Racing

A favorite pastime was hoop racing, which is using a stick to keep a hoop rolling without falling.

Boys in the City

Here, two little boys sit for a spell on the sidewalks of New York City in 1929.

Basketball in the Yard

A group of school-age children gather around the court while some boys play basketball circa 1920.

Making Christmas Pudding

Little Mavis loves to make Christmas pudding in December 1926.

Scooter Races

This timeless toy was wildly popular back in 1923 as children raced through the streets.

Hymn Rehearsal

Here, four young children practice their Easter hymns in preparation for singing at the White House for President Calvin and First Lady Grace Coolidge circa 1925.

Garden Helpers

Circa 1925, this group of youngsters helped pull fresh fare from the garden.

Prepped for the Pres

Here, President Warren G. Harding is met with some well-dressed kiddos as he visits the farming community of Hutchinson, Kansas on his “Voyage of Understanding” tour in 1923.

Respite from the Heat

Children enjoyed a “street shower” to cool off from the heat wave that hit Washington, DC, in 1925.

A Day at the Lake

Kids enjoyed some summer fun at the lake circa 1920.

Take it for a Spin

Here a tiny driver takes his tiny Cadillac on a spin, circa 1929.

Trophy Child

This little fella brought home the grand prizes from the baby shows back in 1927.

Scouting Duties

Here a group of Girl Scouts, circa 1920, transport a little boy who was injured on a bike ride in Georgia.

Catching Up on Current Affairs

Here a class of students in Atlanta, GA, listen to a radio broadcast for their current affairs lesson, circa 1926.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Topical Press Agency/ via Getty Images.