ADVERTISEMENT

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

Add photo comments
POST
KatPeters
Community Member
9 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.

View more commentsArrow down menu
RELATED:
    #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

    Add photo comments
    POST
    AshleyBlake
    Community Member
    9 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 :)

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #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

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

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

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

    Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ErinUna
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #12

    Young Musician, 1920s

    Young Musician, 1920s

    Henri Manuel Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    JuliaChenier
    Community Member
    9 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.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #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

    Add photo comments
    POST
    AshleyBlake
    Community Member
    9 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

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #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

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #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

    Add photo comments
    POST
    JoyCring
    Community Member
    9 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.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #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

    Report

    #21

    Girl Playing In The Water, Toulon, 1949

    Girl Playing In The Water, Toulon, 1949

    Robert Doisneau Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #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

    Report

    #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

    Add photo comments
    POST
    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

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #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

    Report

    #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

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #30

    First Day Of School In New York, 1915

    First Day Of School In New York, 1915

    ClickAmericana.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    BeverlyGlover
    Community Member
    9 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.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda