18 Things Only Kids Who Grew Up in the ’70s Would Understand
Here's a nostalgic throwback to the toys, trends, and tunes that made the 1970s childhood unforgettable.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
Growing up in the ’70s was a wild ride through lava lamps, disco balls, and Saturday morning cartoons. Before smartphones and streaming, life was analog — and full of character. If you were a kid back then, these 18 things will bring back memories faster than you can say “groovy.”
1. Saturday Morning Cartoons Were Sacred
ochimax studio on Unsplash
Waking up early to watch The Bugs Bunny Show was a weekly ritual. No DVR, no streaming — miss it, and it was gone. You sat cross-legged with cereal, glued to a fuzzy TV.
2. Riding in the Back of a Station Wagon—No Seatbelt
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Kids sprawled across the vinyl seats like it was a couch on wheels. You’d slide with every turn and pop up when brakes hit. It wasn’t safe — but it was normal.
3. Tang and Powdered Drinks Were Cool
Tang HungTze Fat on Wikimedia Commons
Drinking Tang made you feel like an astronaut. Kool-Aid was mixed by the pitcher, and it was usually way too sweet. Every kid had their favorite flavor.
4. Roller Skating Was a Lifestyle
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You weren’t cool unless you skated backward to a disco beat. Rinks had strobe lights, mirrored balls, and arcade machines.
5. The TV Remote Was You
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Changing the channel meant standing up and turning a dial. You were the human remote if you had older siblings.
6. Waiting for Your Favorite Song on the Radio
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You’d camp next to your tape recorder, ready to hit “record.” DJs always talked over the intro. Mixtapes were crafted with patience and skill.
7. Being Home When the Streetlights Came On
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No one needed a watch — the sky told you when to go home. Streetlights were your curfew alarm. If you came late, you got the look.
8. Riding Bikes Everywhere Without Helmets
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Bikes were your freedom and your ride-or-die crew. Helmets? Never heard of ’em. Scraped knees and busted pedals were part of the adventure.
9. School Lunches in Metal Lunchboxes
Tim Evanson on Flickr
The tins of lunchboxes were stamped with superheroes or TV stars. Inside were sandwiches, fruit rolls, and maybe a Twinkie. The thermos always leaked a little.
10. Scratchy School Projectors and Filmstrips
Piotrus on Wikimedia Commons
Teachers wheeled in a projector, and it felt like a holiday. You’d hear the whirring and smell the dust. Sometimes it jammed, and that was even better.
11. Lava Lamps and Beaded Curtains
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Rooms weren’t complete without psychedelic lighting. Lava lamps moved in slow motion, mesmerizing everyone.
12. Drive-In Movies and Car Speakers
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Going to the drive-in meant pajamas and popcorn under the stars. You hung the tiny speaker on the window and hoped it worked.
13. Having Only Three TV Channels
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Options were slim: ABC, CBS, or NBC. If nothing was on, you just turned the TV off. Static and test patterns were real things.
14. Watching “Schoolhouse Rock” Between Cartoons
School House Rocks on Wikimedia Commons
You learned math and grammar from catchy tunes. “Conjunction Junction” still lives rent-free in your head. It made learning sneakily fun.
15. Penny Candy and Bubble Gum Machines
Ixnayonthetimmay on Wikimedia Commons
You could actually buy candy for a cent. Jawbreakers, fireballs, and Bazooka gum were top picks. Quarters stretched far at the corner store.
16. Collecting Pet Rocks and Mood Rings
Moodman001 on Wikimedia Commons
Yes, we paid for a rock and loved it. Mood rings claimed to read your feelings. These “toys” were quiet, quirky fun.
17. Playing with Lawn Darts and Other Dangerous Toys
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Metal-tipped lawn darts were missiles for kids. Safety labels didn’t exist yet. You played, ducked, and hoped for the best.
18. Saying “Groovy,” “Far Out,” and “Right On”
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The slang was funky and full of flair. Every sentence felt like a dance move. You didn’t speak — you grooved. Honestly? It was awesome.