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Story: Children’s play

A cycling adventure, around 1960

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A cycling adventure, around 1960

These three boys are cycling out in the countryside, around 1960. The towel indicates they are off to the beach or river for a swim. The wide ownership of bicycles meant that even many urban children could head out into the countryside. In the mid-20th century many parents actively encouraged older children to have adventures in the outdoors without adult supervision.

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Reference: O.006276

by Eric Lee-Johnson

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Peter Clayworth, Children’s play – Where children play, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/40855/a-cycling-adventure-around-1960 (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Peter Clayworth, published 13 February 2013.