Ah, the Seventies. There were no cell phones and hardly anyone had answering machines. If you weren't home and you missed a call, you were out of luck. Kids roamed the neighborhood in packs all day, only coming home in the evening for dinner. Although personal computers were around, not many families had one. It was a simpler time and people didn't have the close connection with technology that we have today.
Of course, things like safety, such as in cars, were barely an afterthought. There were no airbags or shoulder seat belts, and a lot of people didn't even bother buckling up. Kids rode in front — and not in car seats (which weren't even legally required in all states until 1985). And yet, there was a sense of freedom for a kid growing up in the '70s. Many things kids did on a regular basis in the '70s would be unheard of today. (Also check out the biggest headlines from 1970.)
24/7 Tempo took a nostalgia trip to the '70s to seek childhood traditions that should come back. We referenced sources such as Things Boomers Like, an online community devoted to remembering all the good things about growing up in the baby boomer and Gen-X eras.
Going Trick or Treating Without Parents
Most kids went trick-or-treating on Halloween without their parents.
Watching TV Stations Go Off the Air
Television programming went off the air in the early morning hours.
Riding in the Back of a Station Wagon
Station wagons were a popular mode of transportation for families in the 1970s.
Playing Pong on the Computer
Pong was an early computer game that transfixed gamers.
Playing Pac-Man and Space Invaders
Pac-Man and Space Invaders were popular video games in the 1970s.
Going to the Roller Rink on Weekends
Roller skating on Friday nights was a big deal.
Learning All the Disco Moves
Inspired by John Travolta in "Saturday Night Fever," people learned how to do dances like the Hustle.
Watching the Parade of Saturday Night Sitcoms on CBS
Sitcoms like "The Mary Tyler Moore Show' dominated Saturday night television viewing.
Never Missing 'Saturday Night Live'
Families gathered around the TV to watch "Saturday Night Live" which began its run in 1975.
Looking for the Parts To Fix Your First Car
People who knew how to fix cars headed for the junkyard or cannibalized parts from other cars to keep their wheels on the road.
Music Choices in Vinyl, Cassette, and 8-Track
Besides vinyl, music lovers had other formats such as cassettes and 8-tracks to enjoy their favorite tunes.
Going to Drive-In Movies
Families and friends piled into their cars to watch drive-in movies.
Watching Cartoons After School and on Weekend Mornings
Kids who found it difficult to get up for school during the week had no trouble rising early to watch cartoons on the weekends.
Playing License-Plate Poker on Family Vacations
Families fought off the boredom of long road trips by playing license-plate poker.
Hanging Out at Record Stores Waiting for Newest Releases
Kids met at record stores to track down the latest releases from American and British bands.
Piling Friends Into Your First Car
The number of friends multiplied once you got your first car and everyone crowded in.
Prizes Inside Cereal Boxes
Cereal boxes contained prizes inside such as a whistle or small plastic toy.
