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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!

#1

Austrian Boy Receives New Shoes During WwII

Austrian Boy Receives New Shoes During WwII

Gerald Waller Report

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KatPeters
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The joy in his face makes me misty eyed. Something so simple and necessary can make all the difference to someone.

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#2

Happy French Girl And Her Cat, 1959

Happy French Girl And Her Cat, 1959

imgur.com Report

#5

Girl Kissing A Puppy, 1950

Girl Kissing A Puppy, 1950

Bernard Hoffman Report

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AshleyBlake
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I believe that puppy is smiley just as much as that little girl is :)

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#6

Girl Enjoying Water, 1949

Girl Enjoying Water, 1949

Robert Doisneau Report

#8

Animals Being Used As Part Of Medical Therapy, 1956

Animals Being Used As Part Of Medical Therapy, 1956

Francis Miller Report

#9

Girl Dancing In Front Of Her Teddy Bear. Paris, 1961

Girl Dancing In Front Of Her Teddy Bear. Paris, 1961

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ErinUna
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful. The love kids have for their toys is my inspiration!

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#12

Young Musician, 1920s

Young Musician, 1920s

Henri Manuel Report

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JuliaChenier
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Adorable, then heart wrenching when you realize he's playing to get money for food for his family.

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#13

A Girl “reading” Ebony Magazine. Chicago, 1947

A Girl “reading” Ebony Magazine. Chicago, 1947

Wayne Miller Report

#14

Abandoned Boy Holding A Stuffed Toy Animal, London, 1945

Abandoned Boy Holding A Stuffed Toy Animal, London, 1945

Toni Frissel Report

#15

The Little Marilyn, Paris 1975

The Little Marilyn, Paris 1975

Edouard Boubat Report

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AshleyBlake
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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#16

“Wait For Me Daddy,” By Claude P. Dettloff In New Westminster, Canada, October 1, 1940

“Wait For Me Daddy,” By Claude P. Dettloff In New Westminster, Canada, October 1, 1940

Claud Detloff Report

#17

The Real Winnie The Pooh And Christopher Robin, 1927

The Real Winnie The Pooh And Christopher Robin, 1927

HelloInterwebz Report

#18

Two Girls Swing On A Lampost, Manchester, 1965

Two Girls Swing On A Lampost, Manchester, 1965

Shirley Baker Report

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JoyCring
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just love this photo! It reminds me of me and my sister as kids, making up things to do when would get bored.

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#19

Little Girl With Her Doll Sitting In The Ruins Of Her Bombed Home, London, 1940

Little Girl With Her Doll Sitting In The Ruins Of Her Bombed Home, London, 1940

Hulton Deutsch Collection Report

#20

Umbrella Leap, 1963

Umbrella Leap, 1963

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#21

Girl Playing In The Water, Toulon, 1949

Girl Playing In The Water, Toulon, 1949

Robert Doisneau Report

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#22

Russian Children Playing On Abandoned German Artillery After The Battle Of Stalingrad

Russian Children Playing On Abandoned German Artillery After The Battle Of Stalingrad

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#23

Bicycles In Copenhagen, 1910s

Bicycles In Copenhagen, 1910s

vintag.es Report

#24

Children Playing In Paris, 1950s

Children Playing In Paris, 1950s

Nico Jesse Report

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Hettie Anderson
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds me of when I was 3 and I walked in front of everyone in church with my dress tucked in my litarts! Lol

#25

Children Playing In Parisn 1938

Children Playing In Parisn 1938

Roger Schall Report

#26

Children Playing In Paris, 1920s

Children Playing In Paris, 1920s

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#27

Chalk Games, Prospect Place, Brooklyn, 1950

Chalk Games, Prospect Place, Brooklyn, 1950

Arthur Leipzig Report

#28

Girls Jump Rope In Zennor Road, 1960s

Girls Jump Rope In Zennor Road, 1960s

Paul Kaye Report

#29

Little Boy With Lamb, Romania, Late 1960s

Little Boy With Lamb, Romania, Late 1960s

takenbymygrandparents Report

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#30

First Day Of School In New York, 1915

First Day Of School In New York, 1915

ClickAmericana.com Report

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BeverlyGlover
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#31

Winnipeg Beach 1920s

Winnipeg Beach 1920s

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