The 1970s were an era of bold fashion, groovy music, and a whole lot of social upheaval. But while some aspects of the decade make us nostalgic, others are hard to wrap our heads around, particularly when considering the safety of the decade’s youngsters.
Of course, hindsight is always 20/20, and many of the things kids did in the 1970s were just the norm back then, and most kids wouldn’t trade those character-building activities for anything.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane and explore those childhood experiences from the ’70s that just wouldn’t cut it in the modern world, and thus have faded away.
Many of these once‑ordinary activities now feel shocking only because our standards have changed so dramatically. What seemed like harmless freedom back then would raise eyebrows—or alarms—today, but that contrast is exactly what makes these memories so fascinating. They capture a moment in time when childhood was wilder, looser, and far less supervised than anything we’d recognize now.
1. Bike Riding Without Helmets (or Supervision)
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Freedom on two wheels! In the ’70s, kids hopped on bikes and roamed neighborhoods unsupervised for hours. Sadly, safety wasn’t the top priority, and there was little awareness about the long-term effects of concussions.
Bike helmets? Nah! (Although the modern version we use today was invented in the 1970s). Today, we prioritize head protection and are more aware of the importance of adult supervision, especially for younger children.
2. Playing Lawn Darts (Yes, Actual Darts)
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This backyard game involved tossing giant, weighted darts with sharp metal tips. What could go wrong, right? Unsurprisingly, lawn darts were eventually banned due to numerous injuries.
These days, most modern backyard games err on the side of softer projectiles! For trendy sports like ax-throwing today, kids aren’t typically allowed to join in the fun, and the sport is carried out in an environment set up to minimize the risk of injury.
3. Smoking Candy Cigarettes
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It seems bizarre now, but candy cigarettes were commonplace, letting kids mimic adult behavior. The candy aspect? Not a problem, kids still love their candy. Instilling the idea that smoking is a normal thing? Not so much.
These days, we understand the dangers of smoking and wouldn’t dream of encouraging kids to play-act this unhealthy habit. Although they were never actually banned (despite several attempts), they thankfully fell out of favor over time.
4. Riding in Cars Without Seatbelts
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Car safety in the ’70s was relaxed. Kids piled into cars with zero restraints. Thankfully, laws mandating seatbelts and car seats (starting in the early 70s) have significantly reduced injuries and fatalities on the road.
These days, the laws go far beyond just a seat belt, too. There are weight and age restrictions for when kids can be in a moving vehicle without a car seat (forward or backwards) or a booster seat.
5. Drinking From the Garden Hose
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On a hot day, the cool blast of water from a hose was the ultimate refreshment. Some folks still joke today about drinking from the hose even now.
However, these days, we’re more aware of potential lead contamination in older hoses. There’s also the risk of microparticles, untreated water (if from a well), and bacterial growth from standing water. Thus, a chilled water bottle (reusable or plastic) is the safer bet.
6. Staying Out Until the Streetlights Came On
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’70s summers meant long days playing outside, only ending when the streetlights flickered on, signaling it was time to go home.
While some kids still have that freedom in safe neighborhoods, modern parents are generally more cautious and connected to their kids’ whereabouts.
7. Casual Littering
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Anti-littering campaigns existed (’70s kids might recall the “Crying Indian” commercial), but there was less social stigma about tossing trash.
Thankfully, the environmental movement has made huge strides in raising awareness about the importance of caring for our planet. Kids now know the importance of properly disposing of trash to keep the Earth in better shape.
8. DIY Chemistry Sets with ACTUAL Chemicals
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Even though stricter regulations on chemistry sets began in the 60s, surprisingly, this didn’t really limit access to dangerous chemicals, but just required a warning label. Some ’70s kids got elaborate chemistry sets that included substances you wouldn’t find in a school lab nowadays.
Safety regulations, understandably, have become much stricter. While it might dampen some of the mad-scientist fun, it’s definitely for the best to avoid chemical burns, fires, or worse!
9. Getting Part-Time Jobs WAY Younger
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Paper routes, babysitting gigs, helping at the family store or farm: it was much more common for even younger teens (or pre-teens) to earn some spending money.
Nowadays, child labor laws are stricter, and schooling takes up more time, changing the trajectory of when most kids get serious about joining the workforce.