The 70s was a wild decade filled with unforgettable fads and crazes that swept through schoolyards, neighborhoods, and homes. It felt like every week there was a new trend you had to be part of—whether it was a toy, a fashion statement, or a fun new activity, it became the only thing that mattered. These crazes took over our lives, and even though some were short-lived, the memories last forever. Let’s dive into some of the fads that every 70s kid just had to be part of!
1. Roller Skating
Roller skating was the ultimate way to have fun and get around. Whether you were cruising down the sidewalk or hitting up the local roller rink for a disco skate night, roller skating was a massive craze in the 70s. Everyone had their own pair of skates, and it wasn’t just a hobby—it was a social event that brought friends together.
2. Mood Rings
If you weren’t wearing a mood ring in the 70s, you were missing out on some serious emotional intel—or at least that’s what we thought. These magical rings “changed color” depending on your emotions (or your body temperature, but who cared?). Everyone was constantly checking their mood ring to see if they were happy, sad, or somewhere in between, and it became a fun accessory you couldn’t go without.
3. Sea Monkeys
Who else remembers the excitement of ordering Sea Monkeys from a comic book ad? You’d tear open the package, pour the magical powder into water, and wait for your tiny, mysterious creatures to come to life. We were all convinced these were our new aquatic friends, even if they didn’t quite look like the little human-like creatures we saw in the illustrations.
4. Disco Dancing
With disco music dominating the charts, everyone was hitting the dance floor. Even if you weren’t old enough to go to a club, you were probably practicing your moves at home in front of the mirror or at roller skating rinks. Disco dancing was more than just a craze—it was a full-on movement, with bell bottoms and platform shoes included. You didn’t need to be a professional dancer to boogie, just confident enough to try!
5. Pet Rocks
Yes, we were fully invested in caring for literal rocks. Pet Rocks became a massive fad in 1975, and it was just as simple as it sounds—your very own pet that didn’t need feeding or walking. They came in little cardboard “cages,” and we actually gave them names and personalities. It was a short-lived craze, but it’s hard to forget how we all fell in love with rocks!
6. Clackers
Clackers were both addictive and dangerous—two glass-like balls attached to a string that you’d smash together in a rapid rhythm. The goal was to keep them going as fast as possible without hitting your own hand (which happened more often than not). They were all the rage until safety concerns arose, but for a while, every kid was clacking away, oblivious to the bruises!
7. Pong
If you had access to an Atari console in the 70s, Pong was the game to play. The simple tennis-like arcade game was a revelation, sparking the beginning of video game culture as we know it. Pong parties were a thing, and kids couldn’t get enough of the little bouncing dot on the screen. It was basic by today’s standards, but back then, it was pure high-tech magic.
8. CB Radios
Whether you were driving or just pretending, CB radios became a massive craze for kids and adults alike. It wasn’t just truckers using these radios to communicate on the highways—everyone was getting in on the fun, coming up with their own CB handles and using trucker lingo. “Breaker, breaker, good buddy!” could be heard everywhere, and kids imagined they were part of a vast radio network.
9. Rubik’s Cube
The Rubik’s Cube arrived in the late 70s, and suddenly, everyone was trying to solve the impossible puzzle. This colorful cube of frustration became a must-have toy, and those who could figure it out were basically considered geniuses. Whether you solved it or not, everyone gave it a try, and it became the ultimate test of patience and brainpower.
10. Wacky Packages
Trading cards were always popular, but in the 70s, Wacky Packages took it to a new level. These collectible stickers parodied everyday household products, turning them into hilarious versions with names like “Crust” toothpaste or “Blisterine” mouthwash. Kids would trade and collect them like gold, sticking them on everything from notebooks to lunch boxes.
11. Platform Shoes
Who didn’t want to be a few inches taller and a lot more stylish in the 70s? Platform shoes were the must-have fashion accessory, whether you were heading to school or trying to keep up with disco trends. Even if you were a little wobbly on your feet, you just had to wear them—because the higher the platform, the cooler you were!
12. Silly Putty
This stretchy, bouncy putty wasn’t just a toy—it was a tool for creating fun mischief. We’d press it onto comic strips to transfer the ink and then stretch the characters’ faces into hilarious shapes. Silly Putty was pocket-sized entertainment that every kid had, and it seemed like there was always something new to discover with it, from bouncing it to making it snap.
13. Lava Lamps
Every groovy room in the 70s needed a lava lamp. These mesmerizing light fixtures were more than just a fad—they became a symbol of the decade’s psychedelic, laid-back vibe. Watching the colored blobs rise and fall inside the lamp was endlessly fascinating, and no kid’s room was complete without one.
14. Shrinky Dinks
Shrinky Dinks were a craft project like no other. You’d draw on plastic sheets, bake them in the oven, and watch them shrink down to a fraction of their size. Kids went crazy for this hands-on activity, and soon, every fridge was covered in tiny masterpieces that we’d proudly created.
These fads and crazes didn’t just pass through our lives—they took over. For a moment, each one felt like the most important thing in the world, whether it was solving a Rubik’s Cube, mastering disco moves, or collecting Wacky Packages. And while some of them seem silly in hindsight, the joy and excitement they brought to our childhoods are unforgettable. It was a time when the simplest things captured our imaginations and made life just a little more fun.
