Not so long ago, the activities of kids were always left to kids, and many people saw this as how things should be. However, there has been a recent rise in adults joining in and, sadly, in some cases, spoiling the activities for the young. If you don’t know what we mean, here are some kid activities that adults have now hijacked for the worse.
Playgrounds
Another kid activity that adults have hijacked and spoiled is playgrounds, much to the bemusement of many people. Obviously, playgrounds were initially designed for children’s physical activity and social interaction, but adults keep using them for their fitness routines. Sometimes, their bizarre activities even stop kids from being able to enjoy playgrounds for themselves, which young people see as cruel and selfish.
Lego
Upon becoming popular, boxes of Lego bricks used to be stamped with a “3 to 99+” age recommendation, but nobody expected this to actually be followed. This is exactly what has happened; Lego is now immensely popular among adults, who apply it to complex engineering feats and building challenges. There’s no denying it’s cool, but it’s bumped up the price of bricks for kids, which doesn’t seem fair.
Treehouses
Even treehouses aren’t safe from adults these days, despite once being childhood hideaways for secret clubs and imaginative play. Sadly, they’ve now turned into elaborate architectural projects for adults, which even sometimes feature modern amenities. It’s all moved far beyond the simple wooden platforms that used to symbolize freedom and adventure for kids, spoiling the fun altogether.
Coloring Books
Originally a simple pastime for kids, The Atlantic shares that coloring books have now been transformed into intricate and stress-relieving art therapy for adults. These books now feature complex patterns and require a set of premium coloring tools. Some people see this as a positive thing for adults, but the kids find it bewildering and, sometimes, even annoying.
Video Games
Back when video games first became popular in the ‘80s and ‘90s, it was only kids who played them, with their parents seeing them as a waste of time. However, the tables have now turned, as gaming is now dominated by adults who take their favorite games extremely seriously. They’ve even turned gaming into competitive eSports, ensuring that kids will never stand a chance of hitting a high score.
Theme Parks
When they were first created, theme parks were designed to be enjoyed by kids, but they’re now overrun by adults seeking thrill rides and nostalgia. These grown-ups often prioritize elaborate, adrenaline-fuelled rides, which has sadly left little room for the innocent magic and delight that once captivated young imaginations.
Cartoon Watching
Once a Saturday morning staple for kids, cartoons are now dissected and analyzed by adults for hidden meanings and cultural commentary, which has ruined the fun. This shift often makes what was meant to be light-hearted entertainment a topic of serious discussion, losing its carefree essence. Naturally, the kids aren’t happy about it.
Comic Books
Spiderman, Batman, Superman, and all the other classic comics were once just fantasies for children, who excitedly collected them with their pocket money. However, those kids never stopped collecting them, leading comic books to become prized possessions for countless adults. This has led storylines to become more complex and full of mature themes, alienating kids and spoiling the fun for them.
Board Games
Back in the day, classic board games like Monopoly and Scrabble were just a way to keep kids bored on rainy days, but now, they’ve evolved into strategic and competitive events for adults. The simple pleasure of a family game night is often replaced by lengthy and complex gameplay, complete with specialized strategies and competitive leagues.
Birthday Parties
Back in the old days, birthday parties were mainly to celebrate the life of a child, yet somehow, they’ve escalated into grand events planned by and for adults, with sophisticated themes, entertainers, and elaborate decorations. The spontaneous and joyful spirit of a child’s celebration is now overshadowed by meticulous planning and adult expectations of perfection, which seems rather sad.
Roller Skating
Kids used to love hanging out at roller skating rinks and discos, finding it to be the perfect place to escape their parents for the evening. That’s no longer the case, though; roller skating is now a serious sport and social activity for adults, which is all about skill and fitness and less about fun. Naturally, the kids are looking for places to enjoy themselves, away from their parents..
Puppet Shows
Believe it or not, adults have even hijacked and spoiled puppet shows, which were once exclusively shown for kids as an act of storytelling and imagination. Tragically, modern puppet shows now have adult themes and complex narratives, and even the movement and ventriloquism of the puppets are highly complex. Sadly, this leaves the child-like charm of simple puppet shows just a memory of the past.
Jump Rope
Once a staple of school playgrounds, jump rope has now turned into a high-intensity workout for adults. Specialized ropes and advanced techniques dominate the activity, making it less about rhythmic fun and more about achieving fitness goals and breaking records. Understandably, the kids aren’t happy about this.
Scavenger Hunts
Years ago, scavenger hunts were an activity exclusively for kids, with adults being strictly banned from the competition. Bizarrely, they’ve now turned into complex, adult-oriented events with intricate clues and competitive stakes. Grown adults are even participating in scavenger hunting apps such as Geocaching, much to the embarrassment of their kids.
Face Painting
Nobody could have ever expected that face painting, once a whimsical kid activity at fairs and parties, would become an artistic expression for adults. Detailed designs and professional techniques have now overshadowed the simple fun of turning into a tiger or a butterfly for a day, making it a less accessible activity for kids.
Campfires
There was nothing better than roasting marshmallows and telling stories around the campfire when we were kids, but sadly, the fun has now been ruined. Adults now see campfires as opportunities for gourmet cooking experiences, focussing on elaborate recipes and sophisticated cooking techniques. Naturally, the kids aren’t interested anymore, and they deeply miss their s’mores.
Halloween
Every American has fond memories of Halloween, once a night when they dressed up and collected candy with their friends, terrorizing the neighborhood in the process. Tragically, the special occasion has now been hijacked and ruined by adults, who show up the kids with their elaborate costumes and parties. Sadly, it seems that adults have no respect for the fun of children these days.
Building Forts
Perhaps the most bizarre activity on this list that adults have stolen from children is building forts, which nobody could have ever expected. Due to social media “challenges,” adults have now turned fort-building into an opportunity to show off online through complex design projects, even using specialized materials. Understandably, the kids feel like they no longer want to participate in fort-building, as it’s far too embarrassing with their parents involved.