25 things kids in the 1980s did that parents of today no longer allow - and the reasons why

Hammers, nails and slats of wood might sound like a splinter-filled afternoon of danger, but for '80s kids it was all they needed to have fun.

Pillow forts and blanket tents might reign supreme today, but in the '80s, kids were constructing the real thing for a much more sturdy playtime den.

Trick-or-treating is still incredibly popular today, but for many children, Halloween also meant being left to your own devices, with an added layer of costumed fun.

It's hard to imagine parents sending their kids around the block solo today, but in the '80s it was thought of as nothing out of the ordinary to send your little werewolf up the street for some sweets.

Sure, kids are still 'helping' in the kitchen today, whether it's a cracked egg full of shell or messily whisked flour, but back in the '80s they were working as head chef with access to a stove.

Letting little ones near a gas-powered oven might be unthinkable now, but in the '80s parents were much more keen to let kids put together their own grilled cheese when school hours were over.

Being left on your own with an empty house might be every child's dream when they've been given a five-minute warning to shut the PS5 off, but in the '80s it was a common form of 'childcare'. 

With their own house key and a few hours of freedom, it was easy to sneak in some extra snack time and enjoy some uninterrupted TV time.

With our modern knowledge of skin cancer risks, every child is soon enough smothered in SPF 50. But in the '80s, a golden glow was often more of a priority to kids and teens.

SPF 4 is often found in tanning oils as it doesn't do much to stop you from burning. Today, the NHS recommends 30 as a minimum.

No one wanted to be the 'geeky' kid wearing a helmet during their ride to school, even if we know it's a key piece of protective gear.

Nowadays, for the better, each child regularly has a bike helmet strapped to their head – whether they think it's cool or not.

Parents are rightfully concerned today about the risks of second hand smoking and the practice of smoking in enclosed public spaces has been banned across the UK. 

But in the '80s, when smoking was a more common indulgence, it was common enough to be regularly taking a lungful of smoke every time you stepped outside.

Playing at the arcade today is a fun pastime for the likes of beach holidays and camping getaways. But in the '80s, when the latest Nintendo Switch game wasn't an option, it was an everyday pastime.

Heading with a pack of friends or dragging a sibling along was enough supervision for '80s parents to send their kids off with a smile, and hopefully a sizeable collection of change.

Heading into the woods, loitering at the park with your friends or going for a miles-long bike ride without any sort of contact with home sounds like a modern parent's worst nightmare.

But in the '80s, that was the daily reality for kids with no access to mobile phones. Fortunately, pay phones provided a chance to ring the landline. Other than that, you were on your own.

Parking up a truck and filling it with blankets, cushions and movie snacks for a trip to the drive-in might be common enough, but in the '80s truck beds were used as more than a portable sofa.

A favourite way to travel for '80s kids was sat out in the open air, enjoying the feel of a fast-moving breeze – albeit at the expense of any safety measures.

Taking your seatbelt off would nowadays, and rightly so, prompt a stern few words from some very worried parents. But back in the '80s, road safety was a bit more relaxed than parents now would confess to.

Eighties kids would regularly be picked up and put on their parent's lap to try out their own steering, keeping the wheel steady while the grown-up took charge of those complicated (and hard to reach) pedals.

Popping to the local shop is an unwanted chore when you just need a loaf of bread, a carton of milk or, in the '80s, a packet of cigarettes. Eighties kids were on hand to take the task off their parents' shoulders and sent off with cash in hand to pick up a pack.

Now, the thought of sending your children to buy cigarettes is an unfamiliar image, and the local corner shop wouldn't be allowed to hand them over – even if those pennies made it there intact.

An after work drink was, and still largely is, a staple of the 9-5 working week. But if you happened to have a couple of kids in the backseat, the easiest way to get in your Friday pint was parking the car, and your children, outside.

As licences regularly banned kids from stepping insides, many '80s kids have fond memories of sitting with a glass bottle of pop and a packet of crisps on the back seat.

Classics like Adventures in Babysitting (1987) immortalised this classic part-time job, an iconic pick for '80s teens with almost no experience and a neighbour willing to give them a shot.

With kids as young as 11 taking on the role for a low wage, babysitters were a common staple for parents wanting a night off. Leaving behind a number and a newborn with an unqualified tween probably wouldn't be an option now.

High school trips off campus were an everyday occurrence for many during the '80s, especially if you knew someone with a car. However, many schools today restrict students from leaving campus for safeguarding reasons.

Buying lunch off-campus might not be part of a modern high-schooler's day, but it's perhaps for the best that teenage antics are kept within school grounds.

Something we see less of now, kids during the '80s were free to clamber about in the trees during their school break or out at the local park. 

Nowadays, many schools now restrict climbing trees due to health and safety concerns.

A ball on a string made for hours of fun in the '80s – add in some rackets and it's even better. But in 2011, the New York Department of Health decreed tetherball poses a "significant risk of injury" and since then you're unlikely to find it in the playground. 

Other risky games listed include wiffleball (remember those bright plastic balls with circular holes?), dodgeball, freeze tag and capture the flag. 

Greater awareness of child safety and differing laws mean some parents are now less likely to allow children to walk unsupervised.

So, '80s kids: better watch your language, hide those sweets and walk straight down the pavement because Dad's keeping his ears and eyes peeled. 

While far less acceptable today, some children historically carried pocket tools for on-the-go DIY, something now prohibited under strict school safety rules.

There's good reason for parents to shudder at the thought of sending their kids to school with a weapon and most schools have a zero tolerance policy in place for all weapons. 

The days of smoking in bars, schools and planes are behind us, due to its well-known health risks, smoking is frowned upon more heavily nowadays. But back in the '80s, compact clay ashtrays made for an easy craft for the classroom.

It all feels Victorian now, but in the '80s, many schools historically separated subjects like home economics and woodwork by gender, a practice that has largely been phased out.

Whilst in the UK we still have gendered schools, gendered classes are a thing of the past and all students are welcome to learn both how to build a shelf and manage their finances.

The Ramones' 1976 track 'Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue' might not make much sense to kids wielding pritt sticks today but kids in the '80s were sneaking whiffs of their toxic art supplies. 

Inhalant abuse, including glue and marker fumes, was a recognised issue, leading to stronger safety regulations in schools.

While smartboards and whiteboards have largely taken the place of scratchy chalkboard lessons, '80s students will remember a simpler (and messier) time. 

Being sent out to clap blackboard erasers was a rite of passage – as was coughing from the clouds of dust! 

The US Department of Agriculture's “Smart Snacks in Schools” initiative means junk food in school vending machines is largely a thing of the past.

Cheap, syrupy and good for the street cred', fizzy drinks have vanished from the school halls. If you listen carefully, you might make out the sound if teachers cheering...

During the summer months, playing with the garden hose was an easy way to keep kids entertained and cool.. When you've worked up a thirst with all that running around, it only made sense to take a sip from the hose itself.

But, it's something that's rare amongst most homes today, as some hoses can contain materials like lead or BPA, which has raised safety concerns

No more spontaneously planned, after school hangouts! Safety measures ensure parents or pre-approved guardians are the only ones picking their children up from school.