Gen Z was asked to name their 'best childhood memory' — and they all had one thing in common

Before smartphones, children spent their time outdoors, playing games, building forts, and exploring the world around them. A Reddit user, u/James_T_Hart, asked people to share their best childhood memory, and what stood out was how many of them described simple moments of connection, often with no technology in sight. Whether it was riding bikes through the neighborhood, helping their parents with chores, or getting ice cream after school, each story pointed to the same theme: being present.

Most of these memories didn’t involve anything extraordinary. It was the time spent outside, the freedom to roam, and the feeling of being surrounded by family and friends that made those days memorable. No one mentioned phones, tablets, or television; instead, people remembered what it felt like to be away from screens and fully involved in the world around them. Here are some of the most heartwarming answers people shared.

1. A perfect day outside

"There was one day in the summer of 2003 when all the neighborhood kids and I just hung around outside. We flew kites, played sports, got ice cream from a truck, etc. We spent the whole day outside doing fun stuff. I remember going to bed thinking that it was a perfect day. I still think about it sometimes." – u/PhreedomPhighter

2. Finding rhythm for the first time

"When I first figured out how to play drums. It was such a stereotypical 'movie moment', but I used to always play on an electric kit (not very well), but as soon as I sat behind an actual kit, something clicked in my brain and my hands could move like they hadn't before. If that moment hadn't happened, I don't think I'd be where I am today." – u/monkeyinhat999

3. Endless summer days

"I'll always miss the general feeling of summer growing up. It felt like it would never end. Just days on end of waking up, having breakfast, then playing video games, heading over to a friend's house to swim, riding bikes, playing baseball in the street, barbeques, road trips, etc. No responsibilities, no stress, no work, no school, just having fun outside with friends all day for months." – u/HorseMeatSandwich

4. Ice cream with mom

"I got many, but one of my favorites is when my mother got my brother and I out of school early to go to Dairy Queen for an ice cream cone." – u/PcHaNmErCy

5. Falling asleep on horseback

"Being a farm kid, sitting behind my older sister on a horse, ambling around our yard in the dark, looking up at the stars while my sister sang with the softest most beautiful voice I've ever heard. I fell asleep leaning on her back as she sang. Epilogue: The next day at school I tried to eat a stick of chalk to make my voice softer like my sister's. It was a terrible failure." – u/ferox3

6. The sounds of family

"Just one day waking up to the sound of a busy household was my best day, it wasn't any particularly different day. But that one morning has been stuck in my memory for as long as I could remember while growing up. Father is cooking, mother is talking to her sisters, siblings are playing games." – u/SucksToWork

7. An early day and a special catch

"I came home from school early (half day) and both of my parents had come home from work early. They were cooking delicious food and my dad had caught me a praying mantis for my insect kit. It was a very good day." – u/unbroly

8. Tools, stories, and The Hobbit

"Helping my dad fix things around the house. I always loved tools and fixing things, and it was so satisfying when we got a job done. My mam reading us "The Hobbit," a chapter each night, and we were always so excited for the next chapter. I re-read it, but it's not the same when you read it in a day compared to having it span weeks, it made it seem like a much longer adventure." – u/Thread_water

9. When everything felt like magic

"Just being a child. Everything seemed like magic. Every adult was so kind. My parents were still young and healthy. I’d see members of my family so often. Each day seemed to last forever. Everything was free and it was enough." – u/FruiticusJ

10. Learning to hoot like owls

"My dad was (still is) an avid birder. He would teach me little things about birds and how to identify them by sight and call. We had a little ritual every night after dinner we would walk outside in the darkness, all the way to the barn and back, hooting like owls to try and get the owls to hoot back at us. Sometimes it worked. Most of the time it didn’t. But every time I got to spend moments with my dad, that still makes me so happy to think about today." – u/figuresofpathos

11. Jungle bedroom

"My stepfather designed theater sets and installed a jungle design in my room, after the play was over." – u/Blue_jellybean221

12. Morning guitar

"I used to wake up some days to my Dad playing Wish You Were Here on the guitar downstairs and making breakfast. If this ever happened, I knew it was gonna be a good day. It's been a long time since I've heard him play that song, though. I would do anything to wake up to it one more time." – u/SauceMilliken

13. Walking two miles for games

"Me and my middle school best friend loved hanging out in the same room and playing wow. We didn't have a car, obviously, so we would have to walk 2 miles to meet, and he would be pushing his computer rig on his skateboard. We would eventually make it to my house. So much fun." – u/praxeom

14. First rock concert

"My first rock concert. I was probably 14, and it changed the course of my life. From then on, I’ve been pursuing music. I’ve never been covered in so many chills as that night." – u/Musician_Moneyless

15. Millennium Falcon surprise

"It was my birthday and my parents said my gift was on their bed. It was a full-sized Millennium Falcon with the top that opened and had the secret compartment and all of the best things. I loved it, it was the best gift I've ever received. I believe I was about 8 and I still think about that moment." – u/HughBlackthorn

16. Floating in the pool

"Being in my grandmother’s 4ft pool when I was three. I was wearing one of those foam swimsuits. Not sure why, but I remember being delighted by floating up and down on the waves." – u/CoherantPhuck

17. Sandwich in the backseat

"Sitting in the back of my grandparents' car, eating a honey turkey sandwich they brought me. I felt like I owned the world." – u/wuvdattv

18. Friends from the school bus

"When I was about 1st grade, I had no friends whatsoever, but two 4th graders from my school bus befriended me, and I have always hung out with them ever since." – u/grayscaleneon

19. The Red Sox parade

"Going to the Red Sox World Series Parade in 2004 with my dad. Manny Ramirez gave me the 'point' on one of the duck-boats passing by and I've never forgotten how special it made me feel." – u/_bbuckley47

20. The perfect snowman

"I made a huge snowman with my big sis. At that very moment, nothing else mattered and everything was perfect." – u/Killed_Mufasa