Lisa O
You didn’t need much to be happy in the 70s. A banana seat bike, a few coins in your pocket, and something good on TV Saturday morning—that was enough. And those snacks? They hit different. You’d unwrap something after school or grab your favorite from the corner store and swear nothing ever tasted better. The flavors stuck, the wrappers changed but the memory of those treats never really left.
Space Food Sticks
These chewy, tube-shaped snacks made every kid feel like an astronaut. Modeled after the real food used in space missions, they were a lunchbox favorite for kids who wanted something futuristic and cool. The texture was strange but addictive and the chocolate or peanut butter flavors had their own charm. They weren’t just food—they were imagination fuel, and no one forgot the thrill of pretending to be on a NASA mission while chewing one.
Hostess Suzy Qs
Before every snack cake started tasting the same, Suzy Qs stood out. Two slabs of moist devil’s food cake sandwiching a thick layer of cream that was more sweet than subtle. They didn’t need sprinkles or bright colors—just a soft, chocolaty bite that hit every time. They were messy, rich, and always gone too fast. If someone brought one to lunch, they instantly had trade power for the whole week.
Pudding Pops
There was nothing else like them. Pudding Pops weren’t icy or watery like the usual frozen stuff. They were thick, smooth and cold in a way that made summer bearable. You’d take that first bite and get that soft crack, followed by a creamy chill that melted just right. Chocolate or vanilla, didn’t matter—they both had that same magic. It’s still hard to believe they pulled them from shelves.
Zingers
Zingers had a little something for everyone—chocolate, vanilla, and that bright pink raspberry flavor with coconut on top. And then there was the cream filling tucked inside like a sugary secret. Hostess really knew how to hook a kid’s sweet tooth. You didn’t even need to be hungry to eat a Zinger. They just had that look—half dessert, half dare—especially the neon pink ones that made kids pause before devouring them.
Pixy Stix
Nothing says childhood rebellion quite like pouring flavored sugar straight into your mouth. Pixy Stix weren’t elegant, and they didn’t pretend to be healthy. But that’s what made them perfect. Tearing open a waxy paper tube and dumping a hit of grape or orange sugar on your tongue was a thrill. Parents hated them, dentists feared them, and kids adored them. No snack today quite matches that sweet, sour intensity.
PB&J Crackers
Before snack packs and protein bars, there were peanut butter and jelly sandwich crackers wrapped in plastic sleeves. The crackers were salty and dry in the best way, and the filling had that gluey sweetness kids couldn’t resist. Whether it was grape jelly or strawberry—or that weird in-between flavor no one could name—they always hit the spot. They were dependable, delicious, and oddly comforting on a long afternoon.
Ding Dongs
Wrapped in shiny foil like some kind of treasure, Ding Dongs were a prize in every lunchbox. The chocolate shell had that soft crackle when you bit into it, giving way to a fluffy cake and cream filling that always felt just right. They were dense, rich and oddly elegant for a snack you could eat in two bites. It wasn’t just a treat—it was a little celebration in silver wrapping.
Tootsie Pop Drops
They were like Tootsie Pops without the stick—and somehow even better for it. Small enough to sneak during class, they had that hard candy shell with the chewy Tootsie Roll center waiting inside. The flavors weren’t fancy, but that didn’t matter. The magic was in the crunch and the surprise of getting to the soft part. You could go through a whole box without realizing and no one really minded.
Chocodiles
If you saw a Chocodile in the wild—say, tucked behind a vending machine window—it felt like hitting the jackpot. You never found them every day, which made it better. That golden sponge cake, thick chocolate shell, and soft filling came together like the Twinkie’s cooler older cousin. You didn’t eat them politely either. You devoured them. Sticky fingers and all. Finding one felt like a small victory.
Fruit Stripe Gum
It had stripes, a cartoon zebra, and five bold flavors that hit all at once—and disappeared just as fast. Fruit Stripe Gum was more about the experience than the gum itself. You’d unwrap the stick, chew like crazy for thirty seconds of flavor glory, then toss it and grab another. The tattoos on the wrapper were an added bonus. Every kid knew it didn’t last long, but they kept coming back anyway.
Jell-O 1-2-3
This wasn’t just Jell-O—it was science in a glass. When mixed and chilled, it split into three layers: a dense bottom, a middle mousse, and a foamy top. It felt like magic. You’d watch it in the fridge, wondering if it would really work and then marvel when it did. The texture was weirdly satisfying and even if the flavors were simple, the presentation made it feel fancy.
Wacky Packages Gum
Half the fun was the packaging, not even the gum. Wacky Packages were more like parody collectibles than candy, with their goofy spoofs of real brands. The gum was stiff and lost its flavor quickly but no one cared. You’d collect the stickers, laugh at the jokes and maybe chew a piece if you were desperate. It was candy and comedy rolled into one, and 70s kids couldn’t get enough.
Screaming Yellow Zonkers
The name alone was enough to grab attention, but the snack delivered too. It was caramel popcorn—but lighter, crispier and coated in a bright yellow glaze that made no sense but tasted great. The box was loud, the snack was louder, and the experience was pure fun. You never knew if you were supposed to eat it or just admire the crazy design, but either way, it was unforgettable.
Marathon Bar
Long, braided, and covered in chocolate, the Marathon Bar lived up to its name. It was meant to last—but rarely did. The caramel was stretchy, sticky, and borderline dangerous to loose teeth, but kids didn’t care. You’d unwrap the red-and-yellow packaging, stretch it just to see how far it’d go, then sink your teeth in like it was a dare. No other bar felt quite as chewy or rewarding.