Before smartphones, Wi-Fi, or even cable TV, Boomers in the 1970s found all sorts of weird, wild, and wonderful ways to have fun — and most of them would leave Gen Z either confused, concerned, or completely clueless.
From chasing down the ice cream truck barefoot to doing things that would get a “please don’t try this at home” warning today, here’s a look at the strange and specific ways people entertained themselves in the groovy decade known as the Seventies.
1. Playing With Lawn Darts (AKA Weapons)
Jarts were basically heavy metal spears you threw across the yard — and no one thought twice about kids playing with them unsupervised. Banned now, obviously.
2. Talking on the CB Radio
Before group chats, Boomers were hopping on CB radios to talk to strangers using call signs like “Rubber Duck” and “Snowman.” Yes, this was considered thrilling.
3. Roller Disco
Picture disco balls, short shorts, and a whole lot of polyester — all while trying not to wipe out in the middle of a crowded roller rink.
4. Collecting Pet Rocks
Why bother with an actual pet when you could buy a rock in a box with instructions on how to “care” for it? Yes, this was a legitimate craze.
5. Waiting for the K-Tel Commercial to Come On
You couldn’t just stream your favorite songs — you had to watch infomercials for compilation albums and then beg your parents to order them.
6. Reading MAD Magazine Cover to Cover
Irreverent humor, parody ads, and Spy vs. Spy — this was peak comedy before memes existed.
7. Cruising the Strip
Driving up and down Main Street with no destination — just honking, waving, and showing off your car (or your parents’ station wagon).
8. Making Mix Tapes From the Radio
You had to sit with your finger on the record button and hope the DJ didn’t talk over the intro of your favorite song.
9. Going to the Drive-In Theater
Nothing beat piling into a car trunk to sneak in, then watching a double feature from the backseat with popcorn and no seatbelts.
10. Hanging Out at the Mall (When Malls Were Cool)
The mall was the social hub of the universe — with Orange Julius stands, arcades, and department stores that sold everything.
11. Flipping Through the Sears Catalog
Need entertainment? The Sears catalog was basically Amazon, Pinterest, and fashion inspo all in one massive book.
12. Creating Elaborate Ant Farms
Kids would legitimately sit and watch ants dig tunnels all day because it beat doing chores, and there wasn’t much else on TV.
13. Trying to Win a Teddy Bear at the Carnival Ring Toss
Spoiler alert: No one ever did. But the real thrill was the attempt — and maybe the cotton candy.
14. Joining a Record Club You Could Never Cancel
“12 albums for a penny!” — and then a lifetime of trying to escape Columbia House’s fine print.
15. Pong Nights
Twp paddles. One dot. And somehow, hours of entertainment. Pong was basically the original “Netflix and chill.”
17. Playing in Sprinklers Instead of Going to Water Parks
You didn’t need a lazy river — just a garden hose and a decent patch of grass.
18. Passing Notes in Class
There was no texting, just tiny folded triangles of gossip, passed under desks like covert ops.
19. Hitchhiking
Yep. People just stuck their thumb out and hoped for the best. Not safe. Not smart. But somehow… pretty normal back then.
