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10 Reasons Childhood Was More Fun in the '70s

Okay, so, the ‘70s may have been a stressful time for adults, but it wasn’t all bad. There are tons of great things you can look back at and think, “yeah, that was pretty amazing.” This statement is double true if you were a kid in the ‘70s. What a time to be alive, am I right?! Being a child in the 1970s was like nothing else.

First of all, you had all the modern conveniences you could possibly need without tons of technology to clog up your day. Plus, there was the comfort that you didn’t have an overload of media that bombarded you with bad stuff that happened day-in and day-out. Let’s just say that it was a much better time. A kid could be a kid without being bogged down by life like they are now. Children overall seemed happier.

It’s no surprise that we love reminiscing, and this is the decade to do it. So, if you’d like to reflect on the days when life was simpler and the day was bright, here are 10 reasons childhood in the ‘70s was so much more fun.

From our favorite toys to the best movies, we are covering it all.

Neighborhood Camaraderie

Neighborhood Camaraderie

In our neighborhood, all the kids would gather for huge games of Red Rover or crack the whip. We rode our bikes all over the neighborhood, well out of sight of our houses. It felt like we had enormous freedom, but moms were actually keeping an eye on us from within their expansive mom network.

(image via Flickr)

The KISS Army

The KISS Army

In the 1970s, KISS exploded into our world. For a kid, KISS was the absolute coolest band imaginable. They had over-the-top makeup that masked their true looks and provided them with alter-egos. The coolest kids used snail mail to join their fan club, the KISS Army.

(image via Wikipedia)

 

Action Figures

Action Figures

Action figures in the 1970s featured GI Joe, Star Trek, Star Wars, and every superhero imaginable. Fonzie from Happy Days, Sonny and Cher, and Evel Knievel had figures as well. Two of the greatest were The Six Million Dollar Man (complete with bionic eye) and his foe, Bionic Bigfoot.

(image via Flickr)

Evel Knievel

Evel Knievel

This motorcycle daredevil captured the world's attention when his record-breaking jumps were televised on ABC's Wide World of Sports. Neighborhood kids were constantly striving to be just like him, and everyone knew at least one kid who ended up in the emergency room after taking it too far in an attempt to play "jump Snake River Canyon.”

(image via Instagram)

Prank Calls

Prank Calls

Before the days of caller ID, you could phone people and they had no way of knowing it was you. "Is your refrigerator running?" and "Do you have Prince Albert in a can?" are all-time classics!

(image via Flickr)

Star Wars

Star Wars

One of the best things about being a kid in the 1970s was being able to see Star Wars first. Before it was a worldwide phenomenon, it was a movie we enjoyed. Having the first Star Wars toys was a great bragging point too!

(image via Instagram)

No Modern Constraints

No Modern Constraints

As kids in the 70s, we were free from constraints like seatbelts and bike helmets. Moms piled us into the back of station wagons, and we climbed back and forth over the seats of moving cars. Of course, this isn’t safe, but it was fun at the time!

(image via Flickr)

Stretch Armstrong

Stretch Armstrong

You could stretch the arms and legs of these muscled action figures for a couple of feet, and they would slowly return to their original shape. Part of the fun of Stretch Armstrong was the mystery of what was inside him. There was always some kid who found a way to cut the toy open. When you discovered he was filled with oozy gel, you had to face the wrath of your mom!

(image via Wikipedia)

Television

Television

Since there was no way to record TV, you had to watch your favorite shows at their scheduled time. There were no spoilers from friends. If you missed a show, you simply missed the show! The great thing is that there were only three channels (four if you count PBS), so you and your friends always had something common to talk about. 

(image via Wikipedia)

Mad Magazine

Mad Magazine

Before the internet, magazines were a way to link kids from around the country. During the peak of its circulation, ‘70s kids learned humor and satire from Mad magazine. It had so much impact that its mascot, Alfred E. Neuman, has become the face of 70s childhood.

(image via Instagram)