Emily Flores
Looking back at the 1970s, it’s easy to see why so many people remember that time fondly. Every day life was shaped by a wave of cultural changes, and kids grew up surrounded by things that felt both exciting and new. To capture the essence of that decade, here are 20 things that made childhood in the ’70s stand out.
Saturday Morning Cartoons
There was something magical about waking up early on Saturdays, without an alarm. Entire blocks of cartoons filled the morning air, with “Scooby-Doo,” “Super Friends,” and “The Flintstones” leading the lineup. Catchphrases became part of playground chatter, and cereal commercials played as often as the shows themselves.
The Rise Of Disco
Step into a nightclub of the ’70s, and fashion made the first impression. Bell-bottom pants swayed as platform shoes hit the floor, all moving to a steady rhythm. Disco had arrived, lifted by “Saturday Night Fever,” and roller rinks and clubs glowed beneath shimmering balls of light.
Lava Lamps
Every teenager’s bedroom seemed incomplete without a lava lamp glowing in the corner. Though introduced earlier, the ’70s made them a staple. Colored wax blobs drifted and floated to create endless shapes that felt both psychedelic and calming. For many, it also became the ultimate symbol of a cool room.
Drive-In Movies
Outdoor theaters turned evenings into shared adventures. Families pulled in with blankets and snacks, while car speakers carried the sound. Affordable tickets often meant double features, sometimes starting with cartoons. Then the popcorn smell from the snack bar completed the experience, making drive-ins both a social and family ritual.
“Star Wars” Mania
When “Star Wars” hit theaters in 1977, it didn’t just entertain—it exploded into everyday life. Fans lined up around blocks, kids begged for action figures, and toy lightsabers turned backyards into battlegrounds. Suddenly, everyone knew what a Jedi was, and science fiction had a new cultural king.
Roller Skating Rinks
For teens, rinks were the place to be. Music blasted as disco balls spun overhead, which gave the floor a constant sparkle. Themed nights drew big crowds, and friendly races kept excitement high. Fashion also followed the fun with knee-high socks and short shorts, and they became part of the skating identity everywhere.
Pong And Early Video Games
When Pong arrived, it felt futuristic. The simple game of bouncing a digital ball back and forth attracted kids and adults. Home versions even turned living rooms into game arenas. High score bragging rights became serious business, and despite its simplicity, Pong sparked a revolution in home entertainment.
Watergate Headlines
Televisions carried a different kind of drama between 1972 and 1974. Parents sat transfixed as hearings filled the airwaves, while newspapers blared the word “Watergate.” The scandal culminated in President Nixon’s resignation in 1974. And even kids noticed how politics suddenly dominated adult conversations at home.
Mood Rings
The promise was simple but irresistible: a ring that could read emotions. Mood rings (tied to body temperature) turned science into novelty jewelry. Advertisements pushed the idea, and demand soared. Before long, the color-changing stones appeared everywhere, with wearers checking daily to see which “feelings” their ring revealed.
Evel Knievel Stunts
No daredevil was larger than Evel Knievel. His motorcycle jumps were must-see television. Kids snapped up toy stunt cycles to imitate his feats, launching them off homemade ramps. When he crashed, it only cemented his reputation because it made him a fearless icon of 1970s childhood.
Pet Rocks
In 1975, a cardboard box with breathing holes and straw hid the strangest pet of all time: a rock. Each one came with a tongue-in-cheek manual teaching “care” instructions. The fad swept across stores, and millions bought them to laugh at the absurdity of owning a pet that never moved.
CB Radios
What started as a practical tool for drivers soon entered living rooms and theaters. CB radios became a sensation in the ’70s, their signature codes and voices filling the air. Before long, movies like “Smokey and the Bandit” and popular songs spread the trucker lifestyle into mainstream culture.
Platform Shoes
When celebrities embraced platform shoes, the craze spread fast. Soon after, both men and women followed their lead and stepped out in high, chunky heels. They also became central to disco fashion, which commanded attention on dance floors. Of course, their height added a challenge, and wearers often remembered slips as part of the deal.
Tang And Space Craze
On the surface, Tang was just a powdered orange drink. But in the ’70s, it became extraordinary because NASA used it. That link transformed breakfast tables into mission control. The Apollo missions kept that excitement alive, while toy rockets and helmets gave children the props to carry those fantasies into play.
Schoolhouse Rock!
Ask anyone who spent their childhood in the ’70s, and many can still sing a “Schoolhouse Rock!” tune. The short animated songs taught topics like grammar and civics in ways no classroom could. “Conjunction Junction” stuck especially well, which showed how a few minutes of music could last a lifetime.
8-Track Tapes
Every 8-track fan remembers the interruption. Just as a favorite song flowed, the machine clicked—“ka-chunk”—and shifted tracks. Still, the format’s portability made it revolutionary for the time, especially in cars. Though cassettes later pushed them aside, 8-tracks became collections people held onto.
Kung Fu Craze
Martial arts movies brought a wave of fascination, led by Bruce Lee’s electrifying performances. The excitement spread quickly, with kids mimicking moves in backyards and pretending to be martial arts masters. Dojos also saw a surge in students, as the craze turned fascination on-screen into new real-world hobbies.
TV Dinners
Frozen meals promised an easy solution for households on the go. Packaged in aluminum trays with tidy sections, TV dinners gave families quick comfort. Soon, sitting down in front of the television became part of the experience. In fact, children loved the novelty of divided plates.
Stretch Armstrong
In 1976, toy shelves featured a figure unlike anything else: Stretch Armstrong. The rubbery body, filled with a special gel, could stretch several feet and still snap back to shape. Kids pulled and tied it in knots, often curious enough to break one open to see the goo inside.
Sears Catalog
Every fall, the arrival of the Sears “Wish Book” felt like an event. The catalog was thick with pages of possibilities: clothing, furniture, gadgets, and, most importantly, toys. Kids marked their favorites, while parents browsed for practical needs. Evenings were usually spent flipping together.