Lisa O
Who remembers the fun of Weebles, always bouncing back up, or the thrill of twisting and pulling Stretch Armstrong? These throwback toys take us to a simpler time when fun was all about being creative and playful—basically the heart of our childhood. Here are 13 forgotten 70s toys that totally defined your childhood.
Drive Yourself Crazy
The true test of patience and hand-eye coordination, Drive Yourself Crazy was one of those deceptively simple yet addictive toys of the 1970s. With a metal ball inside a clear plastic maze, the goal was to guide the ball through a winding track by turning knobs to tilt the maze. Simple but totally addictive, you could spend hours trying to master this frustratingly fun game.
Wooly Willy
Since 1955, Wooly Willy has fascinated kids with its magnetic powder and pen, making it possible to create endless facial hair designs on its bald cartoon face. Peaking in popularity during the ’70s, this toy was a true example of how joy can come from simplicity and creativity. Wooly Willy lets kids play barber, creating wild hairstyles with just a magnetic wand.
Rock Em Sock Em Robots
Few toys deliver the thrill of head-to-head combat like Rock Em Sock Em Robots. This two-player game lets you and a friend control plastic robots inside a boxing ring. The goal? Knock the other robot’s block off. With one good punch to the head, you could win by sending the other robot’s head flying off.
Atari 2600
One of the most game-changing toys of the 1970s wasn’t really a toy at all—it was the Atari 2600, a video game console that totally changed the way kids played. Released in 1977, the Atari 2600 brought arcade-style gaming straight into the living room, with classics like Pong, Space Invaders, and Missile Command. Even though the graphics and simple gameplay might look dated now, it was cutting-edge tech back then.
Monchhichi Dolls
Monchhichi dolls were the definition of cute in the 1970s. These super adorable, monkey-like dolls with their soft bodies and thumb-sucking features made them the ultimate cuddle buddy for kids everywhere. Originally made by the Japanese company Sekiguchi, Monchhichi dolls quickly made their way to the U.S. and even had their own Saturday morning cartoon in the early ’80s.
Stretch Armstrong
Stretch Armstrong really got kids excited. He was this squishy, stretchable superhero that you could pull, twist, and stretch to insane lengths—up to four times his original size—before he snapped back to his usual shape. It was the ultimate toy for non-stop fun, and every time you thought you hit his limit, he bounced right back, ready for more.
Tiger Electronics Football Game
Before everyone had a video game system at home, the Tiger Electronics Football Game was the go-to handheld gaming device in the late 1970s. Super fun, even with its simple dot matrix display, the game had you moving your “player”—basically a little blip—up and down the field to dodge defenders. Sure, compared to today’s games, it seems pretty basic, but kids were totally hooked on it back then.
Weebles Wobble
Dancing but never falling down, Weebles Wobble brought a special mix of fun and resilience to playtime in the early ’70s. With their unique ability to never tip over, these egg-shaped figures became a beloved part of childhood for many. Created by Hasbro, Weebles embraced the slogan “Weebles wobble, but they don’t fall down,” teaching kids about persistence in a fun, easygoing way. With their simple design and happy faces, they were a hit.
Friction-Powered AstroRay Gun
For any kid who loves space adventures, the Friction Powered AstroRay Gun was a dream. With its bright colors and flashing lights, this toy gun would send you into an imaginary world that is full of epic space battles. The best part? You don’t need batteries! It was friction-powered, so you had to pull the trigger a couple of times, and boom – it felt like you were firing off some serious laser blasts.
Etch A Sketch
Back in 1960, the Ohio Art Co. handed French electrician Andre Cassagnes a cool $25,000 for the rights to his new creation: the Etch A Sketch. Released just in time for Christmas, this aluminum powder drawing toy quickly became a hit. But when ads for the Etch A Sketch started airing in the late ’60s and early ’70s, its popularity exploded. The version of the Etch A Sketch you find on toy store shelves today is pretty much the same as the one that ruled the ’70s.
Tinkertoys
Long before the fancy LEGO sets or digital design apps, there were Tinkertoys — the perfect toy for kids who loved to build and create. Just simple wooden rods and spools, but the ways you could connect them were endless. You could have hours of fun with these basic toys, whether you were stacking up a tower or getting super creative with a whole contraption.
Simon
Simon, the electronic party game, made its debut at the Toy Fair in 1978. With its four colorful sections—red, yellow, green, and blue—the game challenges players to remember and repeat increasingly longer light patterns without messing up or missing a step. It was a big hit during the holiday season, and even though tons of imitators popped up, Simon’s popularity stuck around, even leading to a bunch of spin-offs.
Lite Brite
The Lite Brite officially dropped in 1967 but didn’t become a full-blown classic until the ’70s. It’s a simple concept—just a backlit grid covered by a black sheet of paper that turns into a canvas for kids to push colored pegs into. The end result? A glowing, one-of-a-kind design, or even a pre-made pattern that, could be taken apart and remade a million different ways.