Kids in the ’70s had a very different kind of childhood compared to today. Many of their activities, which felt perfectly normal back then, would now raise serious concerns about safety and supervision.
This article looks at six typical ’70s kid activities that would cause panic if children tried them in 2025. You might be surprised at just how much has changed in what’s considered safe or acceptable for kids to do.
Riding bikes without helmets
If you grew up in the ’70s, you probably remember hopping on your bike and taking off with no helmet in sight. Back then, wearing a helmet just wasn’t a thing for kids.
You rode around freely, feeling the wind on your face without any protective gear. Parents didn’t stress helmet rules like they do now, and most kids didn’t think twice about it.
Today, riding a bike without a helmet can cause serious concern. But in the ’70s, it was just part of the ordinary adventure.
Launching off swings at full speed
You pumped your legs higher and higher, feeling the rush building with every swing. The goal? To jump off at just the right moment, sailing through the air before landing on the ground.
It wasn’t exactly safe by today’s standards. No helmets, no cushions—just you trusting your timing and hoping for a smooth landing.
Back then, it was part of the fun. Today, though, parents would likely panic at the thought of kids launching off swings at full speed.
Skateboarding without any pads
Back in the ’70s, you’d hop on a skateboard without worrying about helmets or knee pads. Falling was just part of the game, and safety gear was pretty rare.
You’d spend hours cruising down streets and trying tricks, even if it meant scraping your elbows or knees. Nowadays, seeing a kid skateboard without full protective gear would probably cause a lot of panic.
Skateboarding was exciting but risky, and many kids took those spills as lessons. You might find it hard to believe, but that was just how it was.
Playing with chemistry sets that could explode
You probably remember those chemistry sets from the ’70s packed with real chemicals. Not the safe, colorful powders you find today, but actual compounds that could burn, explode, or create toxic fumes.
You mixed and matched without much warning or safety gear, turning your bedroom into a mini lab. Sometimes a reaction went awry, but that was part of the thrill.
Today, letting a kid play with something that risky would cause instant alarm. Back then, it was just part of the fun—and a wild way to learn science firsthand.
Using bouncing Superballs inside the house
Back in the ’70s, you might have bounced a Superball right inside your home without a second thought. These balls had an insane bounce, which made them super fun but also risky indoors. Windows, lamps, or fragile items could easily get smashed.
Today, you’d likely never be allowed to do that. Most parents now worry about damage and safety first. But in the ’70s, the thrill of seeing how high or far your Superball could bounce outweighed the risks. You navigated those flying balls with a lot more caution—or luck.
Spinning wildly on tire swings
You remember jumping onto a tire swing, grabbing the chains tight, and letting your friends spin you around as fast as they could. It wasn’t just a gentle back-and-forth ride—it was full-on dizzying spins that left your head in a blur.
The tire, usually an old car tire hanging by thick chains, could hold several kids at once. You’d twist it tight, then let it go, flying and spinning until you couldn’t tell up from down.
Today, this kind of play would probably make parents and safety experts nervous. The risk of falling off or getting tangled in chains just wouldn’t fly in 2025.