Taylor Swift as a Teletubby! From Farm Baby to Sandy in ‘Grease,’ See 11 Childhood Photos of the Future Superstar

Take a look back at some of the most adorable photos from the singer’s early years

Taylor Swift as a child. PHOTO: TAYLOR SWIFT/INSTAGRAM

Before she was a household name, Taylor Swift was a kid from a Christmas tree farm in Pennsylvania.

From sweet family photos to early Halloween costumes, Swift has shared glimpses into her childhood on social media over the years, giving fans a taste of what her life was like pre-stardom. Before Swift releases her latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, on April 19, here’s a look back at some of the sweetest throwbacks of the singer as a little one.

01of 11

Where It All Began

Taylor Swift as a baby with her parents. TAYLOR SWIFT/INSTAGRAM

By now, most Swifties know that Taylor Swift grew up on a Christmas tree farm in Pennsylvania. She was born on Dec. 13, 1989, to parents Scott and Andrea Swift.

02of 11

Taylor’s First Easter

In celebration of Easter 2024, Taylor Swift’s management team shared a throwback clip of the singer dressed up as a bunny and being held by her mom Andrea dated March 14, 1990, which would have been the singer’s first Easter.

03of 11

Being a Big Sis

Taylor Swift and Austin Swift as kids. AUSTIN SWIFT/INSTAGRAM

While Taylor Swift might be a global superstar to her millions of fans around the world, to her little brother Austin she’s just his big sister. To celebrate her 29th birthday back in 2018, Austin shared a sweet tribute to the singer alongside this photo from the pair’s childhood.

“It is a singularly beautiful thing to see magic right in front of your eyes. After nearly three decades of that happening time and time again, the effect hasn’t worn off. I have always had a best friend, a role model, and a caring, tireless, dedicated champion in my corner,” he wrote in the heartfelt message to his sister. “You have pulled me out of fires and carried me up mountains. The gift of getting to witness you become the wonderful person you are today has been the greatest privilege and honor of my life. Happy 29th Birthday @taylorswift.”

04of 11

Baby Talk

The Grammy winner gave another glimpse into her early days when she shared two adorable clips from October 1990, uttering some of her very first sounds with her mom.

“My conversations with my mom have always been and will always be some of my favorite memories – from when I was 10 months old in this video from October 1990 to now talking every day on the phone,” Taylor Swift wrote in part alongside the duo of videos in a sweet Mother’s Day tribute in 2020. “Our talks are everything to me. Myyyyyyyy goodness I love you Mom.”

05of 11

Tie Dye Small Fry

Taylor Swift as a child.TAYLOR SWIFT/INSTAGRAM

In celebration of her milestone 30th birthday, Taylor Swift took to Instagram to share this adorable shot of herself sporting a tie-dye dress and her signature blonde curly hair.

“WHO’S GONNA TELL HER SHE’S THIRTAY NOW 🧁,” she wrote alongside the sweet shot.

06of 11

Sibling Sweetness

Taylor Swift and Austin Swift as kids. AUSTIN SWIFT/INSTAGRAM

For her 27th birthday, Austin shared a photo of the siblings wearing matching red sweaters and a sweet message for his sister shouting out some of her favorite things: “I can’t believe you’ve been riding ponies, making music, playing with cats, and telling stories for almost three decades now,” he began.

“You’ve always been there for your family and friends no matter what and you’re always finding unique and beautiful ways to show us how much you care,” he continued. “Happy 27th birthday to @taylorswift, the best sister anyone could wish for.”

07of 11

In Character

Taylor Swift in a school production of ‘Grease’ in 2000.TOBIN MITNICK/INSTAGRAM

Before making it as a record-breaking musician, Taylor Swift was like many other kids and dipped her toes in musical theater. In 2024, her former costar and now actor and comedian Tobin Mitnick shared a series of throwback photos from a 2000 production of Grease.

In one of the shots, the singer is seen sporting Sandy’s signature blond curls alongside Mitnick sporting his best Danny ensemble.

08of 11

Theater Roots

Taylor Swift with Tobin Mitnick in 2000.TOBIN MITNICK/INSTAGRAM

“Thank you mom for digging these pics of @taylorswift and I harmonizing like buttah on summer nights twenty five years ago out of storage,” Tobin Mitnick wrote alongside the pictures before shouting out Taylor Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce, writing, “Also trav the note is an f-sharp if youre interested. June 2000.”

09of 11

Ahead of Her Time

Taylor Swift as a child dressed as a Telletubby for Halloween.TAYLOR SWIFT/INSTAGRAM

Years before she was dressing in custom-made getups on the Eras Tour, Taylor Swift dressed up as an adorable Teletubby for Halloween — though not everyone understood the costume.

“When you dress as the yellow teletubby for Halloween, but it’s before Teletubbies got huge so all the kids at school ask you why you’re dressed as a yellow pregnant alien,” she captioned the now-deleted black-and-white photo shared to Instagram.

10of 11

Good Old Days

Taylor Swift in 2001.ARCHIVIO GBB / ALAMY

By the time Taylor Swift was 13, she and her mom were often traveling to Nashville in hopes of scoring a record deal. The family would eventually move to Tennessee full time as the teen pursued a career in music.

11of 11

On the Bleachers

Taylor Swift in 2002. JESSE D. GARRABRANT/NBAE VIA GETTY

While she had yet to release her debut single “Tim McGraw,” a 12-year-old Taylor Swift sang the National Anthem ahead of a game between the Detroit Pistons and Philadelphia 76ers at the Comcast Center in Philadelphia. If only the the fans in the stands that day knew what was in store in the decades to come.