Many of us look back on our childhoods and reminisce about those carefree days when we often didn’t have a care in the world. It was a time when we could play for hours, busy ourselves with games of tag and kickball. For those who preferred indoor activities, the first video game console, the Magnavox Odyssey, was released in 1972, followed by the Atari video game console, which entered our world in 1975 with Pong.
The 1970s might not have been ideal for many, with its gas shortages, soaring inflation, and political turmoil, including the Watergate scandal, but for others, it was a time of expression. According to author Tom Wolfe, it was known as the “Me Decade,” an era where people were more self-indulgent than ever. It also gave rise to Generation X.
Innovative new music genres arose like hip-hop, rap, and disco, while rock culture further splintered into soft rock, heavy metal, glam rock, and punk. The era’s fashion brought bellbottoms, maxi dresses, and questionable styles such as leisure suits into the mainstream. (Here are photos that prove the ’70s had the best style.)
There were many progressive movements in the United States during this time, from civil rights and women’s equality to an expanded visibility of LGBTQ+ advancement. It was also a time when many of us could live carefree, without concerns about what effects something could cause us.
To see the 1970s childhood traditions that should return, 24/7 Tempo took a nostalgia trip down memory lane and referenced various sources, including Things Boomers Like, an online community devoted to remembering all the good things about growing up in the Baby Boomers and Gen-X eras.
Here are 1970s childhood traditions that should return:
Riding in the back of a station wagon
These cars experienced the highest production rates between the 1950s and 1970s and were one of the more popular modes of transportation for families in the 1970s.
Going trick or treating unattended
Most kids went trick-or-treating on Halloween without their parents, going from door to door in search of delicious treats, many of which were homemade.
Playing Pong on the computer
Pong was a popular home computer game introduced by Atari in 1975 that transfixed gamers.
Playing Space Invaders
Created by Japanese engineer and game designer Nishikado Tomohiro in 1978, Space Invaders was a popular video game in the 1970s.
Going to the roller rink on weekends
Roller skating reached epic heights during this decade and it seemed as though everyone was at the roller rink on Friday nights.
Learning to do the Hustle and other dances in the disco era
Although the dance originated in the early ’70s, it wasn’t made extremely popular until Tony Manero (played by John Travolta) brought it to audiences in “Saturday Night Fever”. People then learned how to do the Hustle, an American style of upbeat dance created to be flashy and powerful.
Watching TV stations pre-cable go off the air
Television programming typically ran until midnight. Once all programming was aired, the National Anthem would play and the screen would remain in a color pattern or appear as white noise until broadcasting resumed early the following day.
Watching parade of sit-coms on CBS on Saturday night
Saturday night television dominated the airwaves with popular sit-coms, ranging from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,”, “The Jeffersons,” “One Day at a Time,” “What’s Happening,” and “The Facts of Life”.
Never missing “Saturday Night Live”
The comedy skit show “Saturday Night Live” debuted in 1975 and gave us iconic comedians like Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, Jane Curtin, and John Belushi.
Looking for the parts to fix your first car
Cars weren’t as complicated in the ’70s and those who knew how to fix them, rather than shell out big bucks to the mechanic or local dealer, they preferred to head to the junkyard or cannibalized parts from other cars to keep their wheels on the road.
Music choices in vinyl, cassette, and 8-track
There were various formats that people could hear their favorite tunes on. In addition to the widely popular vinyl, music lovers could choose from cassette tapes and 8-tracks.
Going to drive-in movies
Margolies, John,, photographer. Sky View Drive-In Theater, Dothan, Alabama 1979. 1 photograph : color transparency ; 35 mm (slide format). Notes: Title, date and keywords based on information provided by the photographer. Margolies categories: Theater screens (backs and fronts); Drive-in movie theaters & signs. Purchase; John Margolies 2007 (DLC/PP-2007:125). Credit line: John Margolies Roadside America photograph archive (1972-2008), Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Please use digital image: original slide is kept in cold storage for preservation. Forms part of: John Margolies Roadside America photograph archive (1972-2008). Subjects: Drive-in theaters--1970-1980. United States--Alabama--Dothan. Format: Slides--1970-1980.--Color Rights Info: No known restrictions on publication. For more information, see "John Margolies Roadside America Photograph Archive - Rights and Restrictions Information"
The drive-in movie theatre reached its height of popularity during this decade. Families and friends could pile into their cars and spend time together while catching the latest flick.
Watching cartoons after school and on weekend mornings
Saturday morning always started with cartoons. Beginning as early as 6 am, kids would plant themselves in front of the TV to watch favorites like “The Great Grape Ape Show,” “The Road Runner Show,” “Harlem Globetrotters,” “Scooby Doo Where Are You,” “Josie and the Pussycats,” and much, much more.
Playing license plate poker on long drives on family vacations
Families fought off the boredom of long road trips by playing games like license plate poker, where you had to come up with a winning hand by using combinations of letters and numbers on license plates.
Hanging out at record stores waiting for newest releases
Record stores were popular hangouts for many kids, especially on a new record release day when many would skip school to catch the latest vinyl release of their favorite bands.
Prizes inside cereal boxes
Cereal may have been a tasty breakfast option, but the best part was getting the prize inside. These tiny treats varied, offering items like whistles, bazooka gum, or a small plastic toy. More than 50 different cereals had a small “gift”, even Cheerios.
Piling friends into your first car
First cars were always a hit. You no longer had to be on “foot patrol” with your friends, and your social status rose as the “friend with the car”. Everyone would crowd in (seatbelts were optional).