Nostalgic for a ’90s summer? These retro toys give kids freedom to roam safely.
As many parents of teens and pre-teens can attest, kids have it very different these days than when we were young. Technology has taken over everything, and pulling kids away from screens can sometimes be equivalent to pulling teeth. We like to reminisce about the days when we left our houses (some may say we were kicked out of our houses) on summer mornings and returned when the street lights came on with nary a smartphone or GPS tracker to be found.
While technological advancements aren’t the only things that are different–safety issues have changed dramatically, as well–many parents long for those days when kids could be more independent.
That’s a big part of the appeal of the “90s summer,” a viral trend championed by parenting expert Emily Oster, emphasizing summer days that are less structured, low on screen usage, and light on supervision. This inevitably requires kids to become more self-directed and independent.
As a latch-key kid, I definitely support my kids being more independent and self-motivated. One way I encourage this type of growth is by giving them walkie-talkies on nearly every vacation. Whether camping on the beach or lounging at a resort, this analog technology helps keep my kids off screens while providing them with a sense of freedom that today’s surveillance culture doesn’t always offer.
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As my son gets older, we’ve been able to allow him more range and self-sufficiency with the aid of these simple, affordable tools. Now nine years old, he’s extremely independent and a natural explorer, two admirable attributes I don’t want to smother by being overprotective. At the same time, he’s still my baby, and I want to keep him safe. Using walkie-talkies helps me to find that balance.
With help from these retro toys, I’ve been able to watch him walk to the beach showers at Hāpuna Beach while I remained at the shoreline, 50 yards away. I’ve felt comfortable allowing him to explore the outdoor grounds of our condo at the Aston Maui Banyan carrying a bag with snacks, a few random toys, and his trusty walkie-talkie. I’ve also sent him off to the kids club at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel with a walkie clipped to his belt for reassurance. Knowing he had a way to communicate with us made him feel comfortable enough to overcome shyness and meet new friends.
Gaining New Skills
Learning how to use a walkie-talkie is its own fun. Plus, it’s a starter skill for kids who may eventually get into CB radios or even use radios as a career as a truck driver or emergency responder. Families should start with the basics, including breaking down what each part of the walkie is, especially the power button and the call button (it’s also important to make sure they know to hold the button down the entire time that they’re talking and to release it when it’s done), as well as concepts like frequency and range. Start with this guide from The Zoo Family, which goes into detail about all the necessary elements to get started.
Once everyone understands the basics, it’s time to move on to the really fun part: choosing your call sign. Our family’s call signs are Mama Bear, Hard Hat (mom and dad), Ice Cream Monster, and Cheeseburger. Once you know who you’re calling and who’s calling you, it’s time to discuss etiquette and the use of lingo (think: “Over” and “Come in”). Once again, The Zoo Family provides a great guide for this. Understanding the lingo (if you choose to use it) is especially important for younger users who didn’t grow up around CB radios and other old-school devices.
Incorporating walkies into your summer fun opens the door to teach your kids more about the science and history of radios, and the importance of being able to use radios during natural disasters. It’s a great opportunity to teach kids something new without them even realizing they’re learning.
What to Look for When Choosing Walkie-Talkies
While your kids may want to grab the cute Spiderman or Paw Patrol, those aren’t typically as durable as the more plain, traditional walkies. It’s fairly easy to find those at most big box retailers and online. Here’s what to look for when choosing a set.
Range
The range of your walkies is one of the most important factors, and it can be impacted by the activities you’re engaging in. Be aware that while many walkie brands claim to have a long range, environmental barriers will interrupt radio waves. For camping and other outdoor activities with flat, open areas, ranges can extend for miles. In more urban areas and in resorts, walls and buildings can quickly diminish a radio’s range. Be sure to test your range’s limits early on during your vacation.
Affordability
The really nice thing about a basic set of walkie-talkies is that they really won’t break the bank. We’ve used a pair of ONN brand walkies from Walmart for a few years, and they do the job just fine. A two-pack of basic walkies runs around $25 and goes up to around $60. You’ll pay a bit more if you’re buying a larger pack with three or four walkies.
Ease of Use
Don’t look for walkies that are too complicated or too large. You want them to easily clip onto swim trunks or fit easily in a small purse or bag. And you definitely don’t want too many buttons or dials that can lead to confusion. The simpler, the better.
Other Features
Colored walkies can be helpful so that everyone can easily grab their radio without confusion. Choosing walkie-talkies with up to 16 channels is essential at resorts and other areas where staff may also be using radios to communicate (we found this tip out the funny way). Waterproof models are always helpful, no matter where you are going.
Added Levels of Safety
Of course, walkie-talkies only offer the ability to communicate across radio waves. They cannot help to find your child if they don’t respond to your call. For younger kids or parents who still feel a bit hesitant about giving kids too much freedom, there are additional safety measures that can be incorporated with the walkie-talkies.
GPS trackers like Life360’s Tile Sticker or Tile Mate are good sizes to place on a walkie so that parents can see exactly where kids are. Yes, you can already communicate with an Apple Watch, but it’s just not as fun.
Not Just for the Pre-Teens
While we primarily use walkie-talkies for my youngest child, they can be helpful across a variety of situations. On one camping trip, my teenage daughter’s phone was broken, and she wanted to skateboard to the showers at night. There were basketball courts with lights between our camp and the bathrooms, so I felt safe letting her go by herself, but not without the walkie-talkies in play.
Having an alternative form of communication is also helpful for those times when my husband inevitably forgets to charge his phone and needs to leave it charging in the hotel room.
Additional Resources
If you’re ready to get started using walkie-talkies for your next family vacation, here are a few additional resources to help you get started:
Walkie-Talkie Guide for Parents and Kids
Zoo Family Walkie Talkie Basics
Zoo Family Walkie Talkie Etiquette for Kids