18 Childhood Superstitions Hoosiers Still Believe

As kids, superstitions felt like life-or-death instructions.

Forgot to knock on wood? Say goodbye to good luck. Step on a crack? Better apologize to Mom’s chiropractor.

Now as adults, we know it’s nonsense. But we still do it anyway. There’s something about tossing coins in fountains and wishing on stars that just feels too good to give up.

Here are the childhood superstitions that many Hoosiers still follow.

Cross Your Fingers

Fingers crossed meant more than “good luck” in childhood. It was a secret shield against bad consequences, especially when fibbing.

Adults still do it for luck before job interviews, blind dates, and football games.

Sometimes they’ll even sneak the fingers-behind-the-back move when telling a white lie.

The gesture hasn’t lost its charm. It’s one superstition that grew up right alongside us.

Don’t Step on Cracks

“Step on a crack, break your mother’s back” haunted playgrounds everywhere. Kids hopped, skipped, and zigzagged down sidewalks like they were avoiding land mines.

Plenty of adults admit they still avoid cracks out of habit. It feels almost wrong to stomp on one, even if you know better.

Sure, no spines have been snapped from a misplaced step, but the rhyme lives on.

Knock on Wood

This superstition started as a kid’s trick for warding off bad luck after bragging. Say something good, then knock on the nearest desk or tree, just in case fate was listening.

Now it’s ingrained in adult conversations. You’ll hear it in offices, at bars, and even at family dinners.

No one really believes wood has magical powers, but the knock feels like cheap insurance.

Toss Salt Over Your Shoulder

Spill the salt shaker? Better toss a pinch over your left shoulder before bad luck sticks around.

Kids thought it was a clever cleanup trick. But really, it was superstition in action.

Even today, plenty of people still fling salt like they’re warding off evil spirits in their kitchen.

Restaurant workers see it often, and no, sweeping it up afterward doesn’t ruin the effect.

Don’t Open an Umbrella Indoors

Opening an umbrella inside was supposed to bring instant bad luck. Parents scolded kids for it, even if the sun was blazing outside.

As adults, plenty of people still hesitate before clicking one open in the living room.

It feels reckless, like tempting fate.

It doesn’t matter if the superstition came from safety concerns. The “don’t do it” vibe stuck.

Lucky Pennies

“Find a penny, pick it up, all day long you’ll have good luck.” Kids scooped up grimy pennies off sidewalks like they were gold coins.

Grown-ups may not bend over for every coin, but plenty still pause when they spot one heads-up.

And if it’s tails-up?

Some folks leave it right where it is.

Avoiding Black Cats

Black cats were often seen as spooky messengers of bad luck.

Kids whispered about them on Halloween, convinced they were tied to witches.

Even now, some adults still get uneasy if a black cat crosses their path.

The cats themselves? They’re just trying to get to their food bowl.

Holding Your Breath Past Cemeteries

This one started as a way to keep ghosts from sneaking inside you. Kids turned blue in the face as their parents drove past graveyards, determined to prove their bravery.

Plenty of adults admit they still catch themselves doing it, especially on late-night drives.

It may not make sense, but it’s hard to break the habit.

Wishing on Stars

“Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight.” Childhood nights ended with whispered wishes to the sky.

Today, adults still glance up and silently make wishes when they spot that first bright dot.

It’s less about belief and more about hope.

Who doesn’t like a little magic in the night sky?

Blowing Out Birthday Candles

Blow out all the candles in one go, and your wish comes true.

Fail, and you’re out of luck until next year.

It’s a childhood ritual that never really ends. Even at office birthday parties, grown-ups play along.

Cake plus superstition? No one’s giving that up.

Throwing Coins in Fountains

Tossing coins into fountains was the childhood equivalent of instant magic.

A wish, a splash, and suddenly anything felt possible.

Even as adults, people can’t resist dropping quarters into hotel fountains or mall ponds.

It’s not just tradition, it’s a tiny moment of wonder in the middle of errands.

Breaking Wishbones

Every Thanksgiving, kids wrestled over turkey wishbones like it was a championship match. Whoever got the bigger half won a free wish.

Families still do it today, and some even save the wishbone to let it dry before breaking.

It’s messy, silly, and still weirdly satisfying.

Friday the 13th

Kids whispered about Friday the 13th like it was the unluckiest day of the year. Tests, sports games, and even recess felt doomed.

Even now, adults side-eye the calendar when the 13th lands on a Friday.

Hotels skip floor 13 for a reason.

Knocking Twice When Passing a Train

Some kids grew up believing you had to tap the car roof or dashboard when crossing train tracks. It was supposed to bring safety or luck.

Plenty of adults still find themselves doing it, almost without thinking.

It’s a superstition that stuck around like muscle memory.

Holding Rabbit’s Feet

Rabbit’s feet keychains were once playground treasures, carried for good luck.

Adults may not carry them as often, but the belief lingers. Stores still sell them, and people still buy them.

Not so lucky for the rabbit, though.

Spilling Water Before a Trip

In some households, kids learned that spilling a little water before heading out meant safe travels. It was simple, quick, and oddly comforting.

Plenty of adults still splash a bit before long journeys, especially in families that passed the tradition down.

It’s less about the water and more about feeling prepared.

Making a Wish at 11:11

Digital clocks made this superstition blow up. Kids set alarms just to catch 11:11 and whisper a wish.

Grown-ups still glance at their phones, grin, and make a silent request when the time pops up.

It’s proof that even technology couldn’t erase this old childhood quirk.

Saying “Bless You” After Sneezes

As kids, we were told to say “bless you” so sneezes wouldn’t let the soul slip out.