Getting Mattel toy pistols and rifles that shot actual plastic bullets.
Being able to wear my Cub Scout uniform to school, with my official CSA pocket knife proudly dangling from my belt. (Try that today).
Playing mumblety-peg (pocket knife game), unsupervised for hours with my friends.
Coolest memory was a trip to Los Angeles when I was in 13, and having my dad manage to get me to Desilu studios where he finagled my visit to see a rehearsal of the Dick Van Dyke Show, and then got me a seat in the audience for the filming a few days later. During the rehearsal, I got to walk into the Petrie’s living room set, and got autographs from all of the cast members, including Mary Tyler Moore who signed hers “lotsa love.”
Desilu/Dick Van Dyke...
That is AWESOME!!!!
A friend of mine and I use to sneak into Desilu all the time. Then we had to outrun the guard dogs.