1. Pet Rocks
In the mid-’70s, the concept of owning a pet rock took the world by storm. The idea was simple: a smooth rock in a box with breathing holes, and voilà, you had a pet. The fad was marketed as the ideal low-maintenance companion, and it became an unexpected hit, especially after being featured in a TV commercial by Gary Dahl. People couldn’t get enough of their non-communicative, completely still “pets,” and stores couldn’t keep them stocked.
However, the enthusiasm was short-lived. By the end of the decade, the pet rock craze had all but disappeared, leaving many people wondering how such a bizarre trend could have ever been so popular. Looking back, it’s hard to believe that people actually paid money for a rock, but it’s a classic example of the quirky consumerism that defined the ’70s.
2. Mood Rings
These colorful rings promised to reveal your emotions based on the color of the stone. The magic behind the mood ring was based on thermochromism, where the color changed with your body temperature. People flocked to stores to buy these mysterious accessories, convinced that their moods were being displayed for the world to see. They became a must-have item in every teenager’s jewelry box, with the rings becoming an iconic symbol of the era.
But despite their initial popularity, mood rings quickly faded from fashion. As people realized that the colors didn’t always match their actual emotions (and often just depended on the temperature of the environment), the appeal waned. Still, they remain a fun reminder of a time when everyone wanted to know exactly how they were feeling—without saying a word.
3. The Hula Hoop Craze
Though the hula hoop itself was invented decades earlier, the 1970s saw a revival of this simple toy, with people of all ages jumping on the trend. Kids spun the hoops around their waists, while adults got in on the fun too. It wasn’t just about physical activity—it was about showing off your hooping skills at parties and in the yard. The craze hit its peak when people started competing in hula hoop contests, trying to break world records.
Unfortunately, as quickly as it came back, the hula hoop disappeared from the spotlight. After a few years, the novelty wore off, and other distractions emerged. Still, it’s hard to forget how something as basic as a plastic hoop could bring so much excitement and competitive spirit to the ’70s.
4. The Fitness Craze
The ’70s were the dawn of the fitness revolution, with gyms popping up everywhere and people becoming obsessed with physical health. Exercise fads like calisthenics, jogging, and aerobics hit mainstream popularity, but perhaps the most bizarre of them all was the “Thigh Master.” It was a small piece of equipment that promised to tone your thighs—by simply squeezing it. Advertised by fitness gurus like Suzanne Somers, it became the go-to gadget for home workouts.
Sadly, the fitness craze lost momentum as new trends came along. While gym culture remained, the specific infatuation with gadgets like the Thigh Master soon became a forgotten fad. But for a moment in time, it was nearly impossible to turn on the TV without seeing someone passionately squeezing that device.
5. Bell-Bottom Jeans
No list of ’70s fads would be complete without bell-bottom jeans, which became synonymous with the decade’s fashion. These pants were characterized by their flared legs that widened dramatically from the knee down, giving them a bell-like appearance. Both men and women embraced this style, with celebrities like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever helping to solidify their place in pop culture.
However, like many trends, bell-bottoms eventually went out of style. By the end of the decade, the ’80s ushered in a new wave of slim-fit trousers and high-waisted pants, and bell-bottoms were quickly relegated to the back of closets. Despite their brief time in the spotlight, they’re still a nostalgic reminder of ’70s fashion that made a bold statement.
6. The Lava Lamp
Lava lamps were the perfect blend of style and entertainment for many ’70s households. These liquid-filled lamps, which featured blobs of wax moving around in colorful, glowing liquid, became a must-have item for creating a groovy atmosphere. With their trippy, mesmerizing effects, lava lamps fit right into the era’s love for psychedelic and counterculture aesthetics.
Though they were everywhere for a few years, lava lamps fell out of favor by the late ’70s, when people began to favor more minimalist or modern decor. Despite their fall from mainstream popularity, they’ve never truly disappeared, with vintage lava lamps now often being sold as quirky home decor items for retro lovers.
7. Pogs
Pogs, a game that involved collecting small, round cardboard disks and stacking them in an elaborate competition, took off in the ’70s. The game was simple: stack the pogs, slam them with a heavier disk called a “slammer,” and collect any pogs that flipped over. Schools and playgrounds were filled with kids trading pogs, making it a staple of childhood in the ’70s.
By the end of the decade, however, the pog craze fizzled out, only to resurface briefly in the ’90s. While it may not have had the lasting power of other toys, pogs will forever be remembered as a fun and bizarre fad that captivated kids for a short but memorable period.
8. The Shrinky Dink Phenomenon
Shrinky Dinks were a crafting craze that took over the ’70s, allowing people to create their own custom miniatures that shrank when baked in the oven. Kids would color in plastic sheets, cut out their designs, and watch in awe as they shrunk down to a fraction of their original size. It was a wildly fun and creative way to spend time, and the results were often turned into keychains, pins, or necklaces.
But like many trends, Shrinky Dinks didn’t have staying power. After the initial excitement wore off, the novelty faded, and other hobbies took center stage. Still, the process of shrinking plastic remains a fond memory for many who enjoyed the craft during its brief reign.
