Last Updated on May 13, 2025 by Colby Droscher
Back in the 1970s, 70s parents taught kids with a different kind of flavor. Kids had more freedom, fewer rules, and a lot more responsibility than most would imagine today. Parents didn’t overthink things like they do now, whether it was letting a child bike across town alone or leave a note saying, “Be back by dinner,” it was all part of growing up.
Fast-forward to today, and many of those same responsibilities would spark concern or even a phone call to child services. But back then, it wasn’t neglect; it was normal. From using the stove unsupervised to picking up siblings from school or even running errands alone, kids were expected to handle a lot more, and most of the time, they did. Here are 18 things 1970s kids did that would raise eyebrows today.
1. Walking home from school alone
Even in elementary school, it was common to walk miles without supervision.
2. Riding bikes alone and without helmets
Entire neighborhoods of kids zoomed around with zero protective gear.
3. Staying home alone after school (latchkey kids)
Sometimes for hours until a parent got home from work. A babysitter? Parents weren’t wasting their money on that when there was a perfectly good 12-year-old to watch their younger siblings.
4. Having sleepovers with minimal parental contact
Parents barely knew the hosting family.
5. Babysitting younger siblings at age 10 or younger
Siblings often watched their younger brothers and sisters for a couple of hours before their parents got home from work.
6. Playing outside until the streetlights came on
No cell phones, just an unspoken curfew.
7. Trick-or-treating without adults
Groups of kids wandered miles away on Halloween night.
8. Using the stove or oven to cook meals
Homemade grilled cheese or mac & cheese by age 10 was typical.
9. Taking public transportation alone
Buses and subways were fair game by middle school.
10. Swimming unsupervised
In backyard pools, lakes, or community centers with no lifeguards.
11. Climbing tall trees or on rooftops
For fun or just to retrieve a Frisbee.
12. Taking care of pets entirely on their own
Feeding, walking, cleaning, and no parental oversight.
13. Using lawn equipment
In the ’70s, kids were mowing the lawn before puberty.
14. Using power tools
If a toy broke, Dad told you to go out to the garage and try to fix it. It was as simple as that.
15. Playing in abandoned buildings or construction sites
This was seen by kids as adventurous and a little bit dangerous. But that was a part of the fun.
16. Hitchhiking
By age 14, if you needed a ride home, you were putting that thumb up in the ’70s.
17. Riding bikes to other towns
All day bike rides and no phones. Kids just had a vague idea of when to be home, and that was before dark.
Want to see more vintage ’70s content?
Check out these 20 Vintage Photos of the 1970s Disco Era, or take a look at 20 Vintage Photos From The Hippie Revolution (1960s-1970s). Or if you want to travel back to the 1970s, check out 70 Photos That Show the Way We Were in the 1970s.
