If you didn’t live through the 1970s, it’s hard to explain just how alive it all felt. It was this wild mash-up of gritty realness and carefree vibes—like the world was figuring itself out, and we were just along for the ride. I was a kid back then, and looking back, it’s clear the decade had a flavor all its own. Here’s what it was like growing up in the 70s, from the stuff we did to the sounds we couldn’t escape.

The Great Outdoors Was Our Kingdom

One thing that stands out? We were always outside. No smartphones, no streaming, just a bike and a neighborhood full of possibilities. You’d leave the house after breakfast, maybe with a “Be back by dinner!” shouted after you, and that was it. We’d build forts in the woods, play kickball in the street until the streetlights flickered on, or just wander around looking for something to climb. Supervision? Barely. If you scraped a knee or got chased by a dog, you figured it out. It was freedom in a way kids today might not even recognize. The garden hose was our bottled water. Running through the sprinkler in the yard was our water park. Chasing down ice cream ttrucks. Swinging so high on the swings that the poles lifted out of the ground. Catching Fireflies. No Internet. No social media. No cell phones. No 24 hour news. No worries. Just be home before the street lights came on was the golden rule. Sometimes we would be close enough to home in case mom called so we could hear her. But not always. And we answered quickly. Without any backtalk.

The TV Was a Big Deal

When we were inside, the TV ruled. But it wasn’t like now with a million channels and on-demand everything. You had three networks—ABC, CBS, NBC—maybe PBS if you were lucky, and that was it. Saturday morning cartoons were a sacred ritual: Scooby-Doo, The Flintstones, Super Friends. You planned your whole week around shows like Happy Days or The Brady Bunch. And don’t get me started on the commercials—those jingles for Oscar Mayer or Schoolhouse Rock are still stuck in my head decades later.

Music Was Everywhere

The 70s sound tracked our lives. You couldn’t escape the thump of disco—think Bee Gees or Donna Summer—or the gritty edge of rock from bands like Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones and KISS. My older siblings had their stereos cranked up, vinyl spinning, while I’d bop around to whatever was on the radio. AM stations ruled the car, and every gas station had some greasy speaker blasting Fleetwood Mac or Earth, Wind & Fire. Even the cheesy stuff, like Captain & Tennille, had a charm you couldn’t hate. We used tape recorders to record our favorite songs from the radio (that was our “play list).
Fashion Was… Something Else.

Let’s talk clothes. Bell-bottoms weren’t just a trend—they were a lifestyle. Paired with platform shoes and a groovy polyester shirt, you were set. Colors were loud—mustard yellow, burnt orange, avocado green—and patterns were wild. My mom had me in plaid vests and corduroy shorts that I’m pretty sure could’ve stood up on their own. Hair was big, too—feathered, fro’d, or just shaggy. It was like everyone agreed to lean into the weirdness.

The World Felt Simpler (But Not Really)

There’s this nostalgia that says the 70s were “simpler,” and in some ways, they were. No internet meant you weren’t bombarded with news 24/7. But it wasn’t all sunshine—gas shortages, inflation, and the tail end of Vietnam were real. Still, as a kid, you didn’t feel it as much. You were too busy chasing ice cream trucks (10 cents for a Push-Up, baby!) or begging for quarters at the arcade. Yes, we ate our ice cream out of toilet paper cardboard!

Toys and Tech Were Low-Key Legends

Toys were basic but iconic. Stretch Armstrong, Lite-Brite, Slinky—stuff that didn’t need batteries half the time. If you had an Atari by the late 70s, you were basically royalty. Pong was mind-blowing back then, even if it’s laughable now. And don’t forget the Schwinn Stingray with the banana seat—pure status symbol.
It Was a Vibe

Growing up in the 70s wasn’t perfect, but it had a vibe that’s hard to replicate. It was messy, unpolished, and full of character. We didn’t have much, but we had enough, and we made it work. Maybe that’s why people still romanticize it—the 70s were a little bit of everything: funky, free, and just the right amount of weird.

What about you? If you were around then, what’s your favorite 70s memory? Or if not, what part of it sounds coolest to you?