Jukeboxes and rock and roll were a big part of the 1950s.
Every decade makes its mark on history in a variety of ways. The 1950s brought the popularity of personal transistor radios and jukeboxes, which exploded into a rock and roll revolution, while television brought favorite shows and memorable characters. Fashions of the 1950s also made a lasting impression on later generations. Children can learn about and celebrate this colorful decade through educational and fun activities.
Make a Jukebox, Then Sing
Have children work in groups to create one or more jukeboxes from appliance-sized cardboard boxes. The kids will need a box that will fit a stove or washing machine, or similar size. Provide paints, aluminum foil for trim, small paper cups for tuning knobs and other craft materials as desired. After the jukeboxes are finished, place a CD player or karaoke machine close to each jukebox. Have the groups sing or lip-sync some '50s songs.
1950s Toys Contests
The hula hoop, Frisbees and Legos were popular in the '50s and remain popular today. Have a hula hoop contest, giving prizes for keeping the hoop twirling the longest and also for tricks performed with the hoops. Have groups of children build something within a certain time period with Lego blocks and have judges decide which items are most creative or most true-to-life. Children can compete in pairs or groups to try to keep a Frisbee toss game going the longest or to play Frisbee volleyball or golf.
Old-Fashioned Board Games
Children today will be surprised to know that some of their favorite games were popular back in the 1950s. Have a board game day with some of the long-lasting games such as Yahtzee, Sorry, Monopoly, Chutes and Ladders, Scrabble and Cootie. Invite some guests to the '50s day celebration who would have played these games in their youth. Some guests may have an original game from the '50s, or another game that will surprise the children, like Superman, Casper the Friendly Ghost, or Titanic.
Hawaii, the 50th State
In 1959, Hawaii was voted to become the 50th state in the United States. Have the kids make a bright, flowered Hawaiian shirt from an old T-shirt. Place a piece of paper inside each shirt. Let the kids use craft paints to make one or several flowers on their shirts. If using this activity for a history lesson, the kids can date the shirt "1959" to remember the year the vote was taken to make Hawaii the 50th state.
Fashion Game
Play a game like "pin the tail on the donkey," featuring some fashion items from the 1950s. Pin sunglasses on a life-sized paper figure of a guy or girl. Pin a poodle on the poodle skirt. Or have a foam wig-holder form available for the kids to wear a blindfold and try to place the "Monroe" or "Elvis" wig onto the foam head correctly.
Drive-in Movies
Have an indoor drive-in movie activity. Have the kids arrange the room with pillows, boxes and chairs as though it were a drive-in movie. Invite the kids to wear '50s clothing. Serve the favorite drive-in treats of popcorn and fountain sodas.
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