Fascinating Vintage Photographs That Capture Kids Finding Fun On The Streets In Postwar London Rubble


Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty Images

In the summer of 1954, the streets of London were overrun with rambunctious kids enjoying their time off from school.

Photographer Thurston Hopkins took note of the chaos and followed along with several gangs of hyperactive moppets, snapping shots as they turned grimy streets and alleyways into playgrounds. His photos were published in Picture Post as a photo essay entitled “Children of the Streets.”

h/t: retronaut, vintag.es


Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty Images


Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty Images


Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty Images


Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty Images


Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty Images


Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty Images


Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty Images


Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty Images


Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty Images


Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty Images


Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty Images


Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty Images


Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty Images


Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty Images


Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty Images


Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty Images


Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty Images


Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty Images


Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty Images


Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty Images


Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty Images


Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty Images

Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty Images

If you want more awesome content, subscribe to Design You Trust Facebook page.

More Inspiring Stories

Early Polaroid Photos Using Polaroid SX-70 Camera by LIFE Photographer Co Rentmeester, 1972

"The Agony & The Ecstasy": Wild Photos Of Young Lovers Getting Off With One Another In The 1990s

Photographer Captures Intimate Portraits Of Kids Posing With Wild Animals

Cherry Blossoms Paint A Lake Purple Making Tokyo Look Like A Fairytale

"A Colorful Day Out To Coney Island": Color Photographs Of A Summer's Escape From New York City In 1948

Meet John Heartfield, the German Visual Artist Who Pioneered the Use of Graphic Collages as a Political Weapon

Hot Australian Firefighters Pose With Animals For The New 2020 Calendars

Vintage Photos From Between The 1940s And 1970s Show How Glamorous Flying Used To Be!

This Guy Shows The Secret Side Of Glamorous Instagram Photos

Vish Maradia Photographed Herself To Portray Anxiety With The Help Of Photo Manipulation

Alice In Wonderland Steampunk Concepted Wedding

Spectacular Winning Photos Of Minimalist Photography Awards 2021

Terrific Images Reveal The Vulnerable Beauty Of Abandoned Cars That Have Been Left To Rust Over The Years

Beautiful Vintage Photos Show How Cool Moms Were in the 1960s

"Play With Your Food": Pop Culture Icons Recreated With Sausages

A Lot of Penguins

Landmannalaugar, a National Park of Iceland

Conceptual And Lifestyle Portrait Photography By Lauren Shipman

Spectacular Award-Winning Macro Photos from the 35 Photography Awards

Spectacular Winning Photos from the National Geographic Traveller 2025 Competition

Spectacular Shortlisted Photos from the 2025 World Food Photography Awards

Zombie-boy for Schön Magazine

Fabulous Film Portrait Photography By Dave Mentzer

The Tutu Project By Bob Carey

Spectacular Winning Photos from the 2025 Sony World Photography Awards

Olympian Athletes Star in Alfred Dunhill Spring Summer 2012 Voice Campaig

Two Russian Models Pose With A 1,400-Pound Bear

1980s Teenagers And Their Bedroom Walls

Photographer Fell In Love With Iceland And Moved There To Capture Its Captivating Nature

Polish Scientist’s Incredible Photographs of Microscopic Creatures