Things 90s Kids did that would Baffle Today's Children | Pay The Nanny [ ![Pay the nanny logo](https://assets.paythenanny.nz/images/logo-white.png) ](/) [Parents](https://paythenanny.nz/For-Families) [Nannies](https://paythenanny.nz/For-Nannies) [Agencies](https://paythenanny.nz/for-agencies) [Pricing](https://paythenanny.nz/pricing) [Contact](https://paythenanny.nz/contact) [Sign Up](https://paythenanny.nz/signup) [Log In](https://paythenanny.nz/app/login) Article ------- Things 90s Kids did that would Baffle Today's Children ====================================================== By Mark Hudson · 03 June, 2026 Remember leaving the house with no phone, no GPS, and no way for your parents to reach you? The "90s kid" trend is everywhere right now, and it's a fun reminder of just how much childhood has changed. Here are the everyday things 90s kids did that would completely baffle children today. ![Things 90s Kids did that would Baffle Today's Children](https://assets.caresies.io/articles/2524/conversions/FRZVkMHGxxQG8agXAw7z-webp-featured.webp) Things 90s Kids Did That Would Completely Baffle Today's Children ----------------------------------------------------------------- If your feed looks anything like mine lately, it has been full of parents reminiscing about what life was like growing up in the 90s. The "what were you like as a kid in the 90s" trend is everywhere, and it is funny, a little smug, and weirdly comforting all at once. It is also a good reminder of how much childhood has changed in a single generation. No smartphones. No group chats. No streaming. And absolutely no way for a parent to know where you were at any given second of the day. You headed out the door, you came home when you got hungry, and somehow everyone made it to adulthood. Here are the things that were completely normal back then and would leave most kids today genuinely baffled. Leaving the house with zero way to be contacted ----------------------------------------------- This is the one that breaks young brains. You told your mum roughly where you were going, you gave a vague time you would be back, and that was the entire arrangement. No "share my location." No quick text to check in. If your parents wanted you home, they either waited or yelled your name down the street along with everyone else's. And the phone was bolted to the wall. If you wanted to ring a mate, you dialled their home number from memory, then made polite small talk with their dad before anyone passed the receiver across. Need a number you had not memorised? You flipped through the phone book the size of a brick. Entertainment took actual effort -------------------------------- Today a kid says they are bored and the answer is a screen with infinite options. In the 90s, entertainment was a project. If your favourite song came on the radio, you had about three seconds to slam record on the tape deck and pray the announcer did not talk over the ending. If you missed an episode of your show, that was simply that. No catching up later. You waited a full week, and if you were out that night, tough luck. Friday nights meant a pilgrimage to the video store, where choosing a film was a serious family negotiation and the good releases were always already gone. Photos were a gamble too. You finished the whole roll, dropped the film off at the chemist, waited days, and only then discovered that half the shots had someone's thumb over the lens or everyone caught mid-blink. A few more that today's kids would struggle with: - Waiting for the dial-up internet to screech its way online, then losing the connection the second someone picked up the phone - Sharing one family computer parked in the lounge, with a strict roster nobody respected - Doing homework with an actual encyclopaedia instead of a search bar - Keeping a Tamagotchi alive, a tiny digital pet that somehow caused enormous stress - Riding your bike for hours with a pack of mates and no particular destination Knowing how to be bored ----------------------- Here is the big one. When there were no screens to reach for, you had to invent your own fun. You built huts out of couch cushions. You made up games with rules only your street understood. You annoyed your siblings in the back of the car on long trips, counting paddocks out the window because there was genuinely nothing else to do. Boredom was not a problem to be solved instantly. It was just part of the day, and somewhere in all that empty space, kids got creative. So was the 90s actually better? ------------------------------- Not really, and it is worth being honest about that. Today's children have technology, learning tools and opportunities we could not have dreamed of. The nostalgia is lovely, but rose-tinted glasses are doing a lot of heavy lifting in those videos. What a lot of parents are really missing is the unstructured play, the independence and the strong sense of neighbourhood. The good news is that none of it requires a time machine. Kids today still light up at a backyard adventure, a homemade hut or a whole afternoon with nothing planned. And that is the part that never changes. Whether it is a parent, a grandparent or a much-loved nanny doing the looking after, the moments children hold onto are rarely the gadgets. They are the laughs, the adventures and the people who were there for them. So enjoy the trend, send the funniest clips to your own parents, and then maybe kick the kids outside for an hour. Some things are worth keeping. If you have a nanny helping create those everyday moments, [Pay The Nanny](https://paythenanny.nz/) handles the payroll and compliance side for you, so you can focus on the family part. [ ![](https://assets.caresies.io/articles/603/conversions/yHPlgmAr1OBttrpIKpyI-webp-featured.webp) ](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/how-much-does-a-nanny-cost-in-new-zealand)By Mark Hudson · 28 May, 2021 ### [How Much Does a Nanny Cost in New Zealand?](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/how-much-does-a-nanny-cost-in-new-zealand) The Cost of Hiring a Nanny in New Zealand If you’re thinking about hiring a nanny, there are a few things to consider before you begin the hiring process.  In this article, we’ll break down the cost for nannies in different regions of New Zealand. We’ll also be sharing our insights into other things you should consider when hiring a nanny.& [Read more...](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/how-much-does-a-nanny-cost-in-new-zealand) [ ![](https://assets.caresies.io/articles/593/conversions/zaNhjmyfAmzcRimA9wbS-webp-featured.webp) ](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/how-to-nanny-share-in-new-zealand)By Mark Hudson · 12 August, 2021 ### [How to Nanny Share in New Zealand](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/how-to-nanny-share-in-new-zealand) Hiring a nanny but struggling with the cost? A nanny share might be the perfect solution. Split costs with another family, enjoy social benefits for the kids, and keep things flexible. Here's everything you need to know about how nanny sharing works in New Zealand. [Read more...](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/how-to-nanny-share-in-new-zealand) [ ![](https://assets.caresies.io/articles/2497/conversions/8yNY1LyFl34UmROrassc-webp-featured.webp) ](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/working-from-home-with-kids)By Mark Hudson · 23 April, 2026 ### [Working From Home With Kids: Realistic Tips That Actually Help](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/working-from-home-with-kids) Working from home with kids sounds ideal, until you are juggling meetings, snacks, and constant interruptions. If your workday feels chaotic, you are not alone. Here are realistic, practical tips to help you stay productive while keeping your kids engaged and happy. [Read more...](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/working-from-home-with-kids) [ ![](https://assets.caresies.io/articles/2478/conversions/Z5Yddu3OXadudwRcRdUP-webp-featured.webp) ](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/easter-egg-hunt-ideas)By Mark Hudson · 27 March, 2026 ### [Easter Egg Hunt Ideas Kids Actually Love (And That Nannies Can Pull Off Without Much Prep)](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/easter-egg-hunt-ideas) Looking for fresh ways to make Easter exciting for kids? Whether you're a parent or nanny, these creative Easter egg hunt ideas are simple, fun, and guaranteed to keep little ones engaged. Perfect for at-home adventures with minimal prep. [Read more...](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/easter-egg-hunt-ideas) [ ![](https://assets.caresies.io/articles/991/conversions/RGmL6C5qznuq3UKw8EDN-webp-featured.webp) ](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/the-benefits-of-consistent-routines-for-children-and-nannies)By Mark Hudson · 14 October, 2024 ### [The Benefits of Consistent Routines for Children and Nannies](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/the-benefits-of-consistent-routines-for-children-and-nannies) Consistent routines bring calm and balance to busy families, benefiting both children and nannies. With a clear structure, kids feel secure and nannies can manage tasks effectively. Discover how routines can create a harmonious home life, and let Pay The Nanny simplify your payroll needs! [Read more...](https://paythenanny.nz/articles/the-benefits-of-consistent-routines-for-children-and-nannies) ![Pay the nanny](https://paythenanny.nz/images/logo-white.png)Join Our Community Stay in the loop! Subscribe to receive the latest updates, exclusive content, and special offers straight to your inbox. We dont sell your personal data LINKS [Parents](https://paythenanny.nz/For-Families) [Nannies](https://paythenanny.nz/For-Nannies) [Agencies](https://paythenanny.nz/for-agencies) [Pricing](https://paythenanny.nz/pricing) RESOURCES [Contact](https://paythenanny.nz/contact) [FAQ & System Support](https://paythenanny.nz/faq) [Articles](https://paythenanny.nz/articles) [Pay the Nanny AU](https://paythenanny.com.au) SOCIAL [ @paythenanny ](https://www.instagram.com/paythenanny) [ @paythenanny ](https://www.facebook.com/PayTheNanny/) [ @paythenanny ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/pay-the-nanny) [![Download Pay The Nanny from the App Store](https://assets.paythenanny.nz/images/web/app-store.png)](https://apps.apple.com/app/pay-the-nanny/id1666380560 "Download Pay The Nanny from the App store") [![Get Pay The Nanny on Google Play](https://assets.paythenanny.nz/images/web/play-store.png)](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.caresies "Download Pay The Nanny from the Play store") © All Rights Reserved | Pay The Nanny (NZ) Limited [Terms](https://paythenanny.nz/terms-and-conditions) [Privacy](https://paythenanny.nz/privacy)