Hobbies And Interests
Computer Games
Personal computers took off in the 1980s. Computer games for kids combined fun with education. Kids learned geography and studied other cultures as they tried to locate Carmen Sandiego in the 1985 PC game "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" The PC game "The Oregon Trail" taught history, as it asked kids to plan a strategy to guide pioneers to the West. "Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing" instructed kids on the correct way to type as they tried to achieve typing goals. These were just a few of the computer games in the 1980s.
Video Games
Although the Atari came out in the 1970s, home video-game consoles became more popular with the release of the Nintendo, the Game Boy and the Sega Master System, to name a few. "Super Mario Brothers" came out for the Nintendo system in 1985. Mario, Luigi and Link, a character from "The Legend of Zelda" games, debuted to become video-game icons. Another popular Nintendo game was "Tetris," a puzzle game that entertained leagues of 1980's kids.
Board Games
Although computer games and video games hooked 1980's kids, they were not as commonplace as they grew to be over the next few decades. Board games entertained kids with a few hours to spare. A 1986 board game called "Fireball Island" took up many an afternoon of a number of children in the 1980s. In the game, the players navigated a volcanic island to secure a jewel belonging to the island's god. "Trivial Pursuit" first appeared in the 1980s as well. Other classic board games like "Operation" and "Clue" continued to entertain kids in the 1980s.
Other Kid's Games
Kids from the 1980s played games outdoors as well. Childhood games from the 1980s include skateboarding with friends around the neighborhood. Skateboard races and obstacle courses became impromptu games between young kids, pre-teens and teenagers alike. Sports such as baseball, basketball and soccer gathered neighborhood kids, too. Playground games like "Red Light, Green Light" amused kids during recess.