14 Things Parents Let Kids Do in the 1970s That Would Shock People Today

Childhood in the 1970s was different in terms of freedom and safety. Many parents behind closed doors had faith in their neighborhoods to provide for their kids, giving them a certain level of freedom that allowed kids to explore and play in the streets and sidewalks. Kids were in the back of pick-up trucks, walked to school alone, and spent their days playing in the streets and sidewalks. They rode their bikes without helmets, used tools in garages, and played in construction zones. They drank from garden hoses and rode mini bikes without helmets. There were some activities, such as playing with lawn darts and using fireworks and handling them in their own hands.

1. Riding in the Back of Pickup Trucks

Summer afternoons in the 1970s often included a common sight on American roads: children sitting in the back of pickup trucks. Parents drove their vehicles through town with their children sitting on blankets or on the metal floor of the back of the pickup, holding on as the wind blew through their hair. It was a small adventure. Pickup trucks were often a common means of transportation for many people. They were especially common in the country and in suburbia. Kids would ride to their baseball practice, to the grocery store, or to family gatherings in the back of pickup trucks. It was normal because it was everywhere. There were no safety laws against this, and most people thought nothing of it.

2. Roaming Neighborhoods All Day Without Supervision

Mornings began with a sense of independence back in the 1970s. Kids would wander out the door, and no one would see them again until the sound of supper calling them back home. It was believed that kids would be able to entertain themselves for the long hours they would be spending outdoors. The streets became the playground, with bikes whizzing by, trees to climb, and games that came straight out of kids’ imaginations. Kids would walk up and down the street, tapping on each other’s doors to organize a game of kickball or tag. No one monitored what they were doing at every minute of the day. Instead, trust was the key to the community.

3. Riding Bicycles Without Helmets

In the 1970s, a bicycle was a symbol of freedom for kids. It was not just a means to travel but a way to go beyond the front yard. Kids rode their bicycles along the sidewalk or street without a helmet or other gear. Their parents did not encourage them to wear additional gear because it was not the norm. In short, the essence was to learn to balance and then enjoy the ride. Bands of kids made up little processions of bicycles to the park, the corner store, or the school playground. When kids fell off their bicycles, it was all part of the learning process. Scrapes and bruises on their knees, along with clothes that accumulated a layer of dust, made for dinner conversation.

4. Walking to School Alone at a Very Young Age

Throughout many areas, in the 1970s, kids went to school by themselves, even before they were tweens. A kid, even at the age of six or seven, would carry a lunchbox and begin walking to school, just needing to get a quick reminder from a parent to be careful crossing the roads. There were many groups of young children trying to get to the same goal, some walking several blocks, others crossing busy intersections without a grown-up in sight. This process happened every Monday through Friday morning. Parents believed that the young children would not only stay on the sidewalk but would also get to school safely. Teachers believed this was normal because, in many towns, it had become a regular occurrence.

5. Riding in Cars Without Seat Belts

Going back to the 1970s, family trips were nothing at all like they are today. Kids were not relegated to specific seats as they are now. They were free to roam about the interior, resting against the doors or across the back bench for long trips. Some kids, especially younger ones, were known to stand on the seat to get a better look out the windshield. Seat belts? They were hardly ever mentioned by parents, as they were not as common, and were usually stashed away unused in the cushions. For many families, it was comfort and conversation over strict rules. For long trips, this was especially true. The backseat was a playground, with games played, positions changing frequently, and sometimes a child asleep across the entire back bench.

6. Playing in Construction Sites and Empty Lots

Vacant lots and half-finished houses were like playgrounds for the adventurous kids of the 1970s. Neighbors’ children ventured into construction sites where lumber stacks, brick stacks, and foundations awaited their adventurous imaginations. A half-finished house rose like a colossal fort that needed to be explored. Kids climbed wood frames, hopped along wood beams, and pretended to be explorers mapping a mysterious world of an indoor wilderness. Grown-ups reminded them to be careful, but still, they let the kids play in the area as long as they remained within the block. These make-believe play areas promoted creativity and a touch of physical danger.

7. Riding in the Cargo Area of Station Wagons

Family wagons ruled the beat of suburban rides back in the 1970s, especially when kids picked the back cargo nook over a regular seat for long rides. The space at the back of the last row of seats had room for a fold-down bench to face the tailgate, offering kids an offbeat view as the world moved away into the distance. Blankets and luggage sometimes occupied the floor space when the seat was folded down flat, and kids took full advantage of it. The parents considered this space to be an additional passenger room for family vacation rides or weekend getaways, especially for families with lots of kids who needed every bit of the car’s capacity.

8. Lighting Firecrackers Without Close Adult Supervision

Fireworks were something that brought great interest to kids growing up in the 1970s, especially in the weeks leading up to Independence Day. Firecrackers, bottle rockets, and sparklers were common in backyards as kids gathered to anxiously wait their turn to light the fuse. Adults stood by, watching as kids played with their mini-versions of rockets and sparks, loosely directed at best. The excitement was in that split second between lighting the fuse and the boom that followed. There was competition over which boom was loudest or which rocket reached the highest height. It was like a collective rite of passage, a mini-adventure with fellow kids and siblings.

9. Drinking Water Straight From Garden Hoses

During those long summer days of the 1970s, kids didn’t bother going indoors to get a drink. They simply took the nearest garden hose and turned the cold metal faucet enough to push water through the rubber tube. Putting their faces in the water, they took long drinks as the water came out slightly, with a rubbery or metallic taste. Nobody bothered to pay it much heed, as it was done everywhere. There were hoses in every park, backyard, and lawn in every neighborhood, used either to water lawns or wash cars, and kids used them as impromptu outdoor fountains in their endless games. Nobody worried about safety, as it was simply a quick and handy source of water for the day. They lined up, taking turns to drink directly from the hose.

10. Babysitting Younger Siblings at a Very Young Age

In many homes of the 1970s, it was not uncommon for older siblings to be tasked with holding down the fort when the parents ran errands or came home late from work. A kid of ten or eleven might be left at home with toddlers for hours, shoulders squared to the unglamorous task of supervision. A note might be left on the kitchen table, clear and direct, and the older kid would be expected to adhere to its instructions to the letter. The job might entail preparing snacks, keeping the younger ones entertained, and keeping them safe indoors. For many, this would be the natural order of things, and if no babysitter was available, the older siblings would be the trusted ones to hold down the fort and keep an eye on the younger ones at home.

11. Riding in the Front Seat as Small Children

In the 1970s, family vehicles often had kids in the front seats well before they reached their teen years. The youngest riders sat next to the driver, their eyes fixed on the road and their ears perked up for every landmark they passed by. They had a million questions for their driver. Sitting in the front seat was like a secret treat for many. It gave them a front-row view of everything going on in the dashboard and outside through the windshield. Parents often indulged their little ones not for their safety but for their entertainment, turning the ride into a little show to mark their growing up. Safety seats for children were not yet a standard feature in many vehicles, and many people thought nothing of putting their child in the front seat.

12. Playing With Real Tools in the Garage

In the 1970s, garages sometimes served as informal workshops where kids could learn to use real tools in a lightly supervised setting. Toolboxes, for instance, full of hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches, and hand saws, were often in the possession of fathers or older relatives. Kids would look on with interest as adults fixed bicycles, assembled furniture, or repaired household items. And, sooner or later, those tools ended up in the hands of the kids. Kids learned to use hammers to drive nails into scraps of wood or screwdrivers to tighten bolts on old machines. Parents thought that using tools helped their children acquire valuable skills, and in this way, the garage became a space where creativity and curiosity merged.

13. Riding Mini Bikes and Small Motorcycles Without Protective Gear

Mini bikes became incredibly popular among children in the 1970s. These gas-powered motorcycles came in all shapes and sizes. They could be seen in backyards, empty fields, and neighborhood roads all over the country. Most parents let their children ride mini bikes with little or no protective gear. Helmets were not required, and knee pads or elbow pads were not considered necessary. Children learned to ride mini bikes through trial and error. The roar of mini bike engines in the neighborhood signaled that a group of children had gathered to have some racing or dirt trail fun. Most parents saw mini bikes as another form of outdoor play, similar to riding bicycles.

14. Playing With Lawn Darts

Lawn darts, or Jarts, were a staple in many backyards throughout the 1970s. The game came with heavy-metal-tipped darts designed to hit inside plastic rings placed in the grass. It was a simple game, and parents often incorporated it with other activities, including barbecues, picnics, and other get-togethers. Kids often participated in the game, and some even played by themselves, enjoying the thrill of throwing the dart and trying to get it inside the ring. The thrill of the game came from throwing the dart and seeing it plunge to the ground, standing upright in the grass. Despite the obvious danger of the metal-tipped end, the game was considered safe and fun for kids.

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