New (Old) Trend: '90s Kid Summer
Millennial parents are behind this trend, but some say it's just not realistic anymore. What do you think?
Have you seen the new trend called "'90s kid summer"? The idea is to give your kids the kind of summer YOU had back when everything was a lot simpler.
It means things like running through sprinklers . . . drinking hose water . . . and riding bikes all day . . . all with minimal supervision. Basically just, "Get outside and don't come back until it's dark."
'90s nostalgia is big, so that's one reason it's trending. Plus, there's a general feeling that kids don't get to be "kids" anymore. But is a "'90s kid summer" actually doable in 2025?
Experts say it might be a great idea for SOME families, but not others. So don't force it. It's harder to do if you live in a city, or a not-so-safe area, or both parents work.
There's also a chance your child isn't CAPABLE of having a '90s kid summer. If you force them outside, they might not know what to do out there.
An expert at Michigan State explained it like this: Quote, "You can't just have this over-scheduled, technology-saturated life for nine months of the year and then switch into this absolute freedom. We haven't prepared our children for that."
She says if you force them to act like a '90s kid, they might just end up stressed out and more anxious than they already were.
(Here's a video.)
Originally posted on June 30th, 2025