Children in old photos show us both how life changes and stays the same between their time and ours.
The differences in these historical photos will make you reflect on what their lives must have been like; we might notice that children were dressed just like adults and if maybe more was expected of them. But the similarities will bring a smile to your face: a smile that is mirrored on the faces of happy kids at play, often with friends, a favorite toy, or a pet.
Vote on the most interesting vintage photos below, tell us what you think, or if you have a striking photo of funny kids from a long time ago of your own to share, post it here!
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Austrian Boy Receives New Shoes During WwII
I saw this picture years ago and have been looking for it ever since. It made such an impression. Thank you.
May I have permission to use some of these photos as my painting subjects?
The joy of this child should change the world. We could be better and cleaner. We could be friendlier and better at heart.
It's a pity kids today don't show the same gratitude and joy when you give them something. That's because today's kids *expect* the latest gadgetry, sneakers and toys and they more we give, the more they expect, ungratefully.
Happy French Girl And Her Cat, 1959
Best Friends
and today's grown ups are TOO busy with their computers to learn how to spell.
Load More Replies...Girl Playing For Her Dog
Unless you notice she's missing a foot. Still looks happy.
Load More Replies...How beautiful and sentimental.. I remembered unforgetable film star Shirley Temple when reviewing this photo. I think both of them were living their childhood far apart from eachother when this photo was taken. And I am afraid this little cute girl was not as lucky as Shirley because we don't know anything about her, even her name. In spite of a lost foot, this girl's happiness gives me joy of living. Thank you my unknown heroine. If you are already passed away, rest in peace.. Do the same, Dear Shirley Temple. Selahattin Olceroglu, Istanbul - Turkey
Maybe Shirley Temple was living her childhood somewhere in the USA when this photo was taken. Shirley was lucky but it seems that this cute girl was not, because we don't know even her name. No matter, now we know her as unknown sweetheart of us. Thank you for giving me joy of living Dear Unknown Sweet Girl.. If you are already passed away, rest in peace. Do the same, Dear Shirley... Selahattin Olceroglu, Istanbul - Turkey
Girl Kissing A Puppy, 1950
I believe that puppy is smiley just as much as that little girl is :)
Girl Enjoying Water, 1949
Back when people didn't manicure their lawns to look like royal estates.
The front lawns, maybe, but the backyards were ours to tear up and down! :)
Load More Replies...Boy And His Best Friend
Animals Being Used As Part Of Medical Therapy, 1956
Nope this is why they call Doctors Quacks! lol
Load More Replies...Girl Dancing In Front Of Her Teddy Bear. Paris, 1961
Just love this photo, she is totally in her own little world with her teddy bear .
Love the contrast between the immaculate little girl and that dilapidated backdrop.
Girl In New York, 1947
Adorable! We kids used to put together "go-carts" just like this, with scraps scavenged from baby buggies and the scrap lumber pile and the like...
Girl In Japan, 1958
Young Musician, 1920s
Adorable, then heart wrenching when you realize he's playing to get money for food for his family.
Sadly enough, in some parts of the world, kids STILL do this. Saw this with my own eyes in Warsaw's Old Town when I was in Poland last month (June 2016).
Load More Replies...this is the same passion we need when we grow and we forget about all the greatest things !
I hang the picture up in my school's music room, unless it is copyright protected
A Girl “reading” Ebony Magazine. Chicago, 1947
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 4:17 God loves and blesses you!✝✝✝ Turn away from these evil things and turn and seek Jesus Christ for hope, love, and peace! This is not the truth, the truth is Jesus Christ for hope, love, peace, salvation, and the answer to getting to Heaven!✝✝✝ God loved us so much that he sent his one and only son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins so that one day we can see God in heaven and go to heaven! Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and HE WILL FORGIVE you! Ask Jesus Christ for forgiveness for your sins and He will forgive you because He is a merciful God! Repent before it's too late!!!✝✝✝ symbol of Jesus's sacrifice, love, and salvation!✝✝✝
Abandoned Boy Holding A Stuffed Toy Animal, London, 1945
At least it was the last year of world War 2 😢 I wish he could of been my little brother if I lived in the 40s
Maybe I'm jaded and know too much about WWII, first thing I thought of was "damn Nazis."
The Little Marilyn, Paris 1975
Perhaps this little girl just wanted to watch her dress blow around in the wind. I don't know a single girl that hasn't tried to turn the bottom part of their dress in to a mushroom or at least make it look like they are going down the rabbit hole in Alice in wonderland
She's just playing. It's the person who listed the photo that's connected it with Marilyn Monroe.
Lol he or she probably knows she is just being like little Marilyn Monroe
Load More Replies...“Wait For Me Daddy,” By Claude P. Dettloff In New Westminster, Canada, October 1, 1940
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wait_for_Me,_Daddy
Load More Replies...Cpl. Bernard returned home to his son, "Whitey" in October 1945. But 108 others of the 600 ranks you see of the Duke of Connaught Regiment did not.
Load More Replies...Happy Memorial Day! I hope they were reunited at the end of the War.
Five year old "Whitey" Bernard got to greet his father almost exactly to the day five years later. 108 families of the 600 strong Duke of Connaught Regiment were not so fortunate.
Load More Replies...The Real Winnie The Pooh And Christopher Robin, 1927
Two Girls Swing On A Lampost, Manchester, 1965
I just love this photo! It reminds me of me and my sister as kids, making up things to do when would get bored.
....we wouldn't be allowed to do this these days, back then it was all so different that today's youth wouldn't be able to handle it.
Load More Replies...My brother and I used to do this and swing around and old oak tree when we were kids
This is exactly what my best friend as This is exactly what my best friend and I used to do.
Whoa, look at that rope fray! Yikes! LOL...yes, it's true, our gen used to go out and play without helmets or bubble wrap, do stuff, and occasionally break a bone or our necks...
Little Girl With Her Doll Sitting In The Ruins Of Her Bombed Home, London, 1940
It's both beautiful and sad of course. She seems unhurt physically, probably not psychologically. I can't see Euro WWII photos without thinking... if only Hitler had been killed in WWI. Still it's hard to believe the Germans did what they did, 2 times last century.
Load More Replies...So sad but at the same time to know her doll is comforting her is amazing.
Very sad, especially when you realize that she has no idea why this happened. Too young to comprehend. Bless her little heart...
Umbrella Leap, 1963
Lol. I tried that once, hit the ground hard and it knocked the breath out of me, hurt for a few minutes, but I was fine, and didn't do it again.
Don´t try it today with those Chinese-made disposable umbrellas . . .
Wonder how many of us kids broke our tails this way after seeing Mary Poppins...
That photo was taken one year before Mary Poppins came out
Load More Replies...I used to jump off the roof and try to catch a tree branch. Never did catch it, luckily I never broke any bones. I got in trouble when I was caught letting my little brother try it. lol
Girl Playing In The Water, Toulon, 1949
Russian Children Playing On Abandoned German Artillery After The Battle Of Stalingrad
If that artillery piece could talk, imagine what it could say about it's path from being built to ending up there.
Ugg, replace it's with its. Hard to believe this site doesn't allow you to edit or delete your own posts.
Load More Replies...Bicycles In Copenhagen, 1910s
Children Playing In Paris, 1950s
Reminds me of when I was 3 and I walked in front of everyone in church with my dress tucked in my litarts! Lol
Children Playing In Parisn 1938
Children Playing In Paris, 1920s
Chalk Games, Prospect Place, Brooklyn, 1950
I can remember doing chalk drawings on the road - before there were many cars on the road, though.
Love this picture, takes me back to when I was a kid and anything we could come up with would keep us interested and happy.
Girls Jump Rope In Zennor Road, 1960s
Little Boy With Lamb, Romania, Late 1960s
First Day Of School In New York, 1915
I really like the outfit on the right. I like everything about it, even the socks and ankle boots, and the girl is carrying a cool bag. The girl on the left's outfit was typical of the time, but the girl on the right is really stylish.
Winnipeg Beach 1920s
Christmas 1961
Children Of War - Cyprus / 18 April 1964
sadly many kids are forced into war even right now. Society should try to protect them
Load More Replies...This is horrible that these kids had to go to war. Let's not let things like this happen again.
To do that, we need to realise kids grow into adults, and not even adults should be engaging in war. We have come so far, learnt so much and yet we still manage to justify killing each other... so sad.
Load More Replies...why photography is important and why printing your photographs is important ,treasures for the people of the future to find
why photography is important and why printing your photographs is important ,treasures for the people of the future to find
