Updated: June 10, 2021
Originally Published: May 26, 2005
Reflecting on my childhood beach outings in the ’80s, I recall the joy of spending long summer days with my family. Those were uncomplicated times. Nowadays, as I observe fellow parents striving to recreate the enchanting beach experiences of our youth, it’s evident that a few things have evolved since I used to slather myself with baby oil and bask on my towel. Here’s a look at some of those changes:
1. Food Choices
During my childhood, my mom would pack a bucket of fried chicken, a bag of Doritos, and a thermos of Kool-Aid, and off we’d go. If we were fortunate, there might also be cookies—like Pecan Sandies or Double Stuf Oreos. Once the food was consumed, it was gone. Today, however, we prepare organic fruits and veggies, gluten-free energy bars, and an assortment of organic squeezable snacks for the kids to enjoy. Our coolers are filled with filtered water and juice devoid of artificial colors. Fried chicken has become a nostalgic memory.
2. Sunscreen Application
I distinctly remember applying sunscreen only twice throughout my childhood beach visits. Mostly, I coated myself in baby oil while using a tanning magnifier and spritzed my hair with Sun-In. Nowadays, we equip ourselves with wide-brimmed hats, SPF 554 sunscreen (with frequent reapplication), and swim shirts designed with built-in UV protection.
3. Beach Gear
Back in the ’80s, all we needed were towels, and my mother would carry the food and a blanket. Today, it seems like every beach outing requires an arsenal of umbrellas, tents, coolers, a plethora of plastic toys, and lounge chairs—even for toddlers. I could swear I saw an inflatable sofa at the beach recently!
4. Toys and Play
In my youth, we didn’t have a collection of beach toys. I think we owned a beach ball, but it quickly flew away. We entertained ourselves with sand, shells, and sticks, crafting elaborate sandcastles until our knees were sore and our backs were sunburned. Nowadays, families arrive with shovels, sand molds, and dump trucks. Ironically, my kids still prefer the natural treasures like shells and sticks over the fancy toys.
5. Music
During the ’80s, we brought along a boom box blasting our favorite mixtapes—think Prince, Madonna, and Michael Jackson. If we wanted to replay a favorite tune, we had to hit rewind! Now, it’s all about personal devices like iPods or iPhones with earbuds, making it a much quieter experience.
This summer, I aim to give my kids a taste of those nostalgic ’80s beach days. So, if you spot a woman with a drumstick in her mouth, carrying a boom box down to the shore, that’ll be me. While my children might be embarrassed, I’m sure we’ll all have a blast—and they may just admit it later.
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In summary, while the essence of beach days remains, the details have certainly transformed over the decades, reflecting changes in parenting styles, health awareness, and the evolution of play.
Keyphrase: Beach Days in the ’80s vs. Beach Days Today
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