1. Super Elastic Bubble Plastic
If you grew up in the ’70s, you probably remember the unmistakable smell of Super Elastic Bubble Plastic the moment someone cracked open a fresh tube. Kids would squeeze out a neon blob, slap it on the end of a tiny straw, and blow until they had a wobbly balloon that looked half magical, half radioactive. The fun lasted until the bubble inevitably popped, leaving a sticky film on your fingers and possibly in your hair. Every kid pretended they were basically a scientist, even though the fumes were strong enough to make parents crack a window. Looking back, it’s amazing how normal it seemed to huff plastic and call it playtime.
And yet, those fragile bubbles were irresistible. You’d try to make them as big as possible before they collapsed, and every successful balloon felt like a personal triumph. The colors were bright, the texture was weirdly satisfying, and the mild danger made it feel slightly rebellious. It’s one of those toys that could never get past a modern safety review, but it lives on in ’70s nostalgia for good reason.
2. The VertiBird
The VertiBird helicopter was one of those toys that kids adored and parents tolerated, mostly because it sounded like a miniature aircraft buzzing through the living room. You clipped the tiny chopper onto a pivot arm, revved the motor, and watched it whip around in fast circles while you tried to make it “rescue” anything that wasn’t nailed down. This meant the helicopter often slammed into furniture, legs, or pets, and everyone acted like that was part of the challenge. It was pure childhood chaos with a propeller.
But despite the occasional whack to the ankle, the VertiBird felt thrilling. Kids loved mastering the controls, even if “mastering” meant avoiding major collisions. The movement looked surprisingly realistic for a plastic toy, and you never forgot the way it sputtered as it spun around the room. It’s no wonder so many ’70s kids still look back on it as the closest thing to piloting a helicopter before they were tall enough to reach the car pedals.
3. Clackers
Clackers were simple: two acrylic balls attached to a string that kids swung up and down until they smacked together in a loud, satisfying crack. Of course, the real excitement came from the fact that those acrylic balls sometimes shattered mid-play, sending shards flying like tiny projectiles. Kids treated it like a badge of honor if they could clack them fast without getting bruised fingers. The sound alone was enough to drive parents up the wall.
Still, there was something hypnotic about the rhythm you’d fall into once you got the hang of it. You could spend what felt like hours swinging those things, always trying to go higher or faster. Sure, there was a chance you’d get whacked on the knuckles hard enough to swear off toys forever, but that risk added a strange kind of charm. Today, you can still find safer versions, but nothing beats the slightly dangerous thrill of the originals.
4. Creepy Crawlers
By the ’70s, Creepy Crawlers had already been around for years, but that didn’t make the toy any less wild. Kids poured goopy “Plasti-Goop” into metal molds, shoved them into a plug-in hot plate, and waited while the whole thing heated up. That meant most children handled scalding metal as casually as an Easy-Bake Oven. The results were rubbery bugs that smelled vaguely toxic and delighted every kid who made them.
Even with the burns and the fumes, the process was incredibly satisfying. You felt like a special-effects wizard creating monsters in your bedroom. The molds made everything look impressively detailed, and it was always fun to peel out a fresh batch of wiggly insects to freak out your siblings. It’s the kind of hands-on creativity kids still love, just maybe without the molten metal and mystery smells.
5. Big Wheel
Big Wheels were low to the ground, plasticky, and absolutely everywhere in the ’70s. Kids would tear down sidewalks with the front wheel spinning furiously, and the scraping sound alone was iconic. Because they were so lightweight, you could whip them around sharp corners or skid in dramatic spins, which felt endlessly cool. Parents didn’t always love how fast kids flew on them, but every kid felt invincible riding one.
Part of the fun was that you didn’t need to be particularly coordinated to feel like a daredevil. The trike design made it easy to steer, even if you were going a little too fast for comfort. Sliding into a driveway or spinning out in the street was half the experience. Big Wheels were safe compared to some toys of the decade, but when kids pushed them to the limit, they became the ’70s version of extreme sports training.
6. The Slip ‘N Slide
Even though it first appeared in the ’60s, the Slip ’N Slide became a ’70s summer staple. Kids would unroll the long plastic strip across the lawn, connect a hose, and suddenly the backyard transformed into a mini water park. The problem was that most backyards had bumps, roots, or hidden rocks, so sliding down the runway felt like a gamble. Add the fact that kids launched themselves onto it at full speed, and it was a recipe for some spectacular wipeouts.
But the thrill was unmatched. You never forgot the shock of cold water or the rush of gliding across the lawn like a human missile. Even the occasional grass burn felt worth it. The Slip ’N Slide was pure summer fun, the kind of toy that made you feel free, reckless, and completely alive.
7. Vac-U-Form
The Vac-U-Form let kids heat up thin sheets of plastic over a metal plate, then pump the softened sheet onto a mold to vacuum-form small toys. It was equal parts science experiment and fire hazard, which is probably why kids loved it. The machine got surprisingly hot, and most kids didn’t think twice about handling plastic that had just been cooked. The smell alone could clear a room.
But once the magic happened, it was addictive. You could make everything from little cars to imitation trinkets and keep experimenting until you had an entire collection. There was something empowering about creating a real, molded toy with your own hands. It felt grown-up and inventive, even if you learned the hard way not to touch the hot parts.
8. Marx Big Wheel Knight Rider Ride-On Horse
This one was a favorite among ’70s kids who wanted something different from the usual pedal toys. The Knight Rider Ride-On Horse by Marx was basically a bouncy, plastic steed on wheels that you “rode” by bouncing your weight up and down. That meant kids were essentially galloping down sidewalks with no real way to stop quickly. It was thrilling in the moment but definitely had the potential for a few dramatic spills.
Still, the novelty made it unforgettable. You felt like you were really riding a horse, and the bouncing rhythm was weirdly addictive. Whether you were racing your friends or pretending to be in an old Western, it sparked tons of imaginative play. It may have been slightly dangerous, but for many kids, it was the closest thing to having a pony of their own.
9. Johnny Lightning Stunt Cars
Johnny Lightning stunt sets were all about speed, ramps, and gravity-defying loops. Kids would race tiny metal cars through plastic tracks that twisted in ways that seemed impossible. Those metal cars packed a surprising punch if they hit someone in the ankle, and they often launched off the track at high speed if the setup wasn’t perfect. Half the fun was the unpredictability.
Yet, when everything lined up just right, it felt like magic. Kids could spend hours setting up elaborate stunts, adjusting ramps, and seeing how fast they could push the limits. The metal bodies made them feel just a little more serious than typical toy cars. Even the occasional crash-landing only made the experience more exciting.
10. Moon Shoes
Moon Shoes gave kids the illusion of low-gravity bouncing by strapping mini trampolines onto their feet. In theory, it sounded like a dream. In reality, they were wobbly, awkward, and nearly impossible to use without flailing your arms like a cartoon character. Kids toppled over constantly, yet everyone still lined up for a turn.
That’s part of why they were so memorable. Once you found your balance, even briefly, it felt like flying. The goofy movements made everyone laugh, and every small success felt like a victory. Even if you only stayed upright for a few seconds, the fun was absolutely worth the bruises.
11. Hungry Hungry Hippos (Original Hard-Marble Version)
When Hungry Hungry Hippos first hit the market, the marbles were harder, louder, and prone to flying off the game board if kids got too enthusiastic. It turned the game into something halfway between family bonding and a potential dental hazard. Everyone pounded on the levers, and the hippos snapped with surprising force. You never knew where a stray marble might end up.
Still, the chaos was the best part. Families would crowd around the table and dissolve into laughter the moment the marbles went wild. Winning felt triumphant, even if you had to chase missing marbles afterward. It was the kind of frantic, joyful energy that defined so many beloved ’70s games.
12. SSP Smash-Up Derby
The Smash-Up Derby sets were the perfect blend of mechanical fun and tiny collisions. Kids used a ripcord to power up two chunky plastic cars, sent them barreling toward each other, and watched pieces fly everywhere on impact. The whole point was destruction, and children reveled in the mayhem. Those plastic bits could definitely sting if they hit your leg, but that was part of the excitement.
Once the parts scattered, kids would quickly snap the cars back together and go again. It was endlessly replayable and always felt slightly rebellious, like you were doing something you weren’t supposed to. The sound of those cars smashing together was unforgettable. It was one of the few toys where breaking things was literally the goal, and kids loved it for exactly that reason.
