Entertainment!!!

Because of the depression by the 1930s money was scarce, and people did what they could to put some happiness back in their lives.  Movies, parlor games and board games were popular and people also gathered around radios to listen to the Yankees, A lot of modern pastimes started too, like crossword puzzles, mahjong, bridge, and board games and guess what "MONOPOLY" the business game was invented back then in the 1930's and till today its been played!!!  Isn’t that terrific!!!

the superman comic -1938

Since spendable income was limited, people had to look to inexpensive hobbies and things to do. President Roosevelt helped make stamp collecting a popular hobby; Comics too became popular in fact the superman comic was introduced in this decade....

Some of the popular entertainment during the 1930's was going to the movies to escape their stressful lives. Also neighbors would come together to play cards and other games. Kids from the neighbourhood would make up and play games with things they could find. Sports were big too. Friends and family would play friendly football or baseball games, but professional sports weren't doing that well. Many students would spend their time studying to get a good job to succeed during those hard times. Also bands and music got pretty big too, people would go to concerts just to have as much fun as they could. Schools and communities would hold social events like dances, parties, and other activities.

King kong Movie poster

Interestingly the movies  also  were a huge pastime in the '30's -- going to the show was a fun thing to do and we still have some movies from the 30's that are good entertainment, full length movies like snow-white, king kong to name a few...Television didn't exist for the most part, but the '30s are considered the golden age of radio as per what i read in a few published articles listening to radio shows was a major pastime. There were morning shows for the "housewife" and afternoon shows for youngsters. In the evening, sitting in the living room, listening to radio shows--comedy, drama, and news--was a frequent family event.

Times were hard economically -- women knew how to sew (mending clothes was cheaper than buying new) and fashions were followed and valued. Boys worked on cars -- a whole generation of mechanics arose from that time.

There were more what we now call "wild spaces", outdoor activities like hunting and fishing were not just fun pastimes,they were essential survival skills.

Prohibition had ended and people could enjoy alcohol so going out on the town was much the same then as it is now dinner, dancing, a movie …

Most of the things people do for fun now -- they did in 1930's!