1. Slip ’N Slide
There was nothing quite like the thrill of running full speed and belly-flopping onto a long sheet of plastic that turned your backyard into a mini water park. The Slip ’N Slide was a staple of hot summer days, giving kids the kind of adrenaline rush you just couldn’t get from a hose alone. Sure, you’d end up with grass stuck to your arms and maybe a scrape or two, but it was worth it for those quick bursts of speed. Parents would often set it up on the flattest patch of lawn they could find, though a slight hill always made it even more exciting.
The toy might not have been the safest, but it felt like magic at the time. Friends would line up, waiting their turn, and cheer each other on as they slid across the slick surface. If you were lucky, someone’s dad would attach a sprinkler to the hose to keep it extra slippery. For a kid in the ’70s, nothing said summer fun more than a Slip ’N Slide session that lasted until dusk.
2. Big Wheel
The Big Wheel was more than just a ride-on toy, it was a symbol of independence for kids in the neighborhood. With its oversized front wheel and low-to-the-ground design, it gave children the sense they were speeding around like race car drivers. The plastic tires made that unforgettable growling sound as they tore across driveways and sidewalks.
The best part was pulling the handbrake to spin out dramatically, a move every kid wanted to master. Even though it was just a toy, the Big Wheel felt like your first set of wheels before you graduated to a bike. It didn’t matter if you lived on a cul-de-sac or a quiet street, kids everywhere showed off their stunts and races. If you owned a Big Wheel, you were instantly cool in your circle of friends.
3. Wham-O Super Ball
The Wham-O Super Ball was deceptively simple but endlessly entertaining. Made of a unique rubber compound, this little ball could bounce higher than anything else you had in your toy box. Kids would compete to see who could make it soar the highest, often bouncing it off walls, driveways, or garage doors.
Of course, half the fun was also half the problem, since it could easily disappear over fences or into the neighbor’s yard. Parents weren’t thrilled when one ricocheted into a window, but that didn’t stop kids from testing its limits. You could toss it lightly and still get a bounce that felt impossible. In the ’70s, it was proof that sometimes the smallest toys gave the biggest thrills.
4. Lawn Darts (Jarts)
Before safety concerns pulled them off shelves, lawn darts, or Jarts, were the ultimate backyard game. Each player would toss the heavy, pointed darts into the air, aiming for plastic rings laid out on the grass. It was competitive, thrilling, and just a little dangerous, which made it even more appealing to kids.
Families often brought them out at barbecues or picnics, and kids would beg to play along with the adults. While the idea of sharp metal darts flying around seems alarming today, back then it was just another part of the fun. The game gave kids a sense of grown-up seriousness, like they were playing something important. For better or worse, Jarts became a legend in ’70s backyards.
5. Hippity Hop Ball
The Hippity Hop was as goofy as it was fun. Kids would sit on the oversized rubber ball, grab the handle, and bounce around the yard like kangaroos. It wasn’t the fastest way to move, but the uncontrollable bouncing made it hilarious for everyone involved.
Even though you rarely made it far without toppling over, it was the laughter that made it memorable. Neighborhood kids would race their Hippity Hops, though “race” was a generous term considering all the wipeouts. Parents enjoyed the spectacle as much as the kids did. The bright colors and silly bouncing made it one of the most joyful backyard toys of the ’70s.
6. Pogo Stick
The pogo stick was all about balance and persistence. Kids would climb on, clutch the handles, and bounce as high as their little legs could manage. The clanging spring sound became a soundtrack to summer afternoons, echoing across driveways and sidewalks.
Mastering it wasn’t easy, which made it feel like a real accomplishment when you finally got the hang of it. Friends would count how many consecutive bounces you could do before falling off, adding an element of competition. It was simple but never boring, since every bounce felt like a mini achievement. The pogo stick was both a challenge and a thrill in one toy.
7. Clackers
Clackers were two acrylic balls attached to a string, and kids would try to swing them up and down so they smacked together. The loud “clack-clack” sound could be heard from down the block, a sign that someone was practicing. It took skill and timing, but once you got it right, it felt incredibly satisfying.
Parents weren’t thrilled about the noise or the occasional bruised knuckle, but kids didn’t care. The brighter the colors of the balls, the cooler you felt showing them off. Everyone wanted to master tricks like spinning them around in circles. In the ’70s, clackers were both a toy and a neighborhood spectacle.
8. Water Wiggle
The Water Wiggle was a chaotic backyard toy that connected to your garden hose. Once the water pressure kicked in, the colorful tube danced wildly in every direction, soaking anyone brave enough to get close. Kids would scream and laugh as they tried to dodge the unpredictable spray.
It was messy, silly, and the perfect way to beat the heat. The toy often had a cartoonish character face on the end, making it even more ridiculous. Parents might have seen it as a way to water the lawn, but kids knew it was pure entertainment. The Water Wiggle turned ordinary afternoons into wet and wild adventures.
9. Sit ’n Spin
The Sit ’n Spin was technically an indoor toy, but many kids dragged it out into the backyard to enjoy it in the sunshine. You’d sit cross-legged on the round platform and spin yourself around until you were dizzy. It didn’t take much to make your head whirl, which was exactly the point.
Friends would try to outdo each other by seeing who could spin the longest or the fastest. The toy was simple, but it tapped into every kid’s love of silly thrills. The inevitable stumbling afterward always brought peals of laughter. It was proof that kids didn’t need anything fancy to have a blast in the ’70s.
10. Wham-O Frisbee
The Frisbee was another Wham-O hit that took the ’70s by storm. Lightweight and easy to toss, it quickly became the perfect backyard toy for kids of all ages. Families could play a casual game of catch, or kids could invent trick throws and competitions with their friends.
Some even joined the rising trend of Frisbee golf or ultimate Frisbee, but most just enjoyed sending it sailing across the yard. There was something mesmerizing about watching it float through the air in a perfect arc. The simple plastic disc brought endless variations of play. In the ’70s, it was rare to find a kid who didn’t own at least one.
11. Super Elastic Bubble Plastic
This toy let kids blow giant, colorful bubbles out of a special goo-like substance squeezed from a tube. Unlike regular soap bubbles, these could be shaped and bounced around a little before popping. The chemical smell was unforgettable, but at the time, it only added to the sense of experimenting with something cool.
Kids would see who could make the biggest or weirdest-shaped bubble. Sometimes they’d stick several together to create odd bubble sculptures. While parents might have worried about the mess, kids were captivated by the creativity it allowed. For many, the unusual bubbles felt like magic right in their backyard.
12. Wiffle Ball
Wiffle ball was the perfect backyard game for kids who wanted to play baseball without breaking windows. The lightweight, perforated ball made it easier to throw crazy curves, and the plastic bat was light enough for anyone to swing. Kids would set up makeshift bases using whatever they had lying around.
The games were casual but full of energy, with rules bent to fit however many kids showed up. Some families even had official sets with orange bases and a real strike zone. It was a toy that brought everyone together, from little kids to teenagers. In the ’70s, a game of Wiffle ball could last all afternoon and never get old.
