15 Must-Have Things If You Grew Up In The 70s

If you grew up between 1970 and 1975, get ready for a fun blast from the past. We’re diving into the unforgettable trends and toys that shaped your childhood—from shag carpets and avocado phones to mood rings and Ubbi Dubbi talk. Think disco nights, CB radios, macramé, and those wild iron-on T-shirts. Remember the thrill of getting an airmail letter or watching your Parachute Man drift through the air? This list is all about the playful, colorful world before smartphones, when imagination was everything and life had a groovy kind of charm.

1. Shag Carpeting
Shag carpeting was more than simply flooring if you were a child in the early 1970s; it was a part of the experience. Every space felt like a warm, vibrant playground thanks to their thick, fuzzy fibers in avocado green or burnt orange. You’d sprawl out during Saturday morning cartoons, toes buried deep while munching cereal. Forts were built, board games played, and if a penny got lost in that plush, good luck! Vacuuming was a battle, and the static shocks? Classic sibling warfare. Shag carpet wasn’t just groovy—it was the heart of the home and pure ’70s magic.

2. Disco Era
Disco was more than simply a fad in the early 1970s; it was a way of life. Imagine blazing lights, shimmering disco balls, and the Bee Gees or Donna Summer playing loudly while platform shoes stomp on the ground. Saturday nights were all about dancing, dressing up, and having a good time, whether it was at Studio 54 or your neighborhood roller rink. The scene was dominated by polyester suits, big hair, and bell-bottoms. Everything seemed electric, the lights shimmered, the bass hammered. Disco meant freedom, fun, and pure rhythm; it was more than just a fad. And truthfully? Even now, the groove is still a hit today.

3. Mood Rings
Back in 1975, mood rings became the must-have accessory that mixed style with a little bit of science and a whole lot of fun. These color-changing rings reacted to your body temperature, claiming to reflect your emotions—blue for calm, red for passion, and black for, well, trouble obviously. Whether or not they actually worked didn’t matter—everyone loved comparing colors and trying to figure out what they meant. Worn proudly at school or swapped between friends, mood rings were more than jewelry. They were conversation starters, little pieces of magic that captured the curious, expressive spirit of the ’70s.

4. Wall Telephones
Back in the early ’70s, wall phones weren’t just for talking—they were part of the family routine. Mounted in the kitchen or hallway, they came with long, curly cords that stretched halfway across the house for those semi-private chats. Bonus points if it came in avocado green or harvest gold, blending perfectly with the groovy home decor. Every ring was a mystery—was it your best friend, your crush, or just a wrong number? With no caller ID and rotary dials that tested your patience, these phones made every call feel like an event. Before texting, it was all about the ring, the cord, and the click.

5. Matching Toilet Paper
Ah, the early ’70s—when even your toilet paper had to match the vibe. Back then, plain white just wouldn’t cut it. Bathrooms proudly featured pastel rolls in pink, powder blue, avocado green, or sunny yellow, all perfectly paired with the towels, tiles, or shag rugs. It wasn’t just decor—it was a full-on style statement. Home catalogs flaunted these colorful rolls as the height of bathroom luxury. Sure, they weren’t the softest, but no one cared. Matching TP was about flair, not comfort. And for anyone who lived it, those rainbow rolls still bring back memories of a boldly stylish, totally groovy time.

6. Airmail Letters
Before texting and email took over, getting an air mail letter felt like opening a little slice of the world. Those thin blue envelopes with red and blue borders were pure magic—folded just right and filled with handwritten stories from faraway places. Whether it was a note from a pen pal or a parent overseas, every letter felt personal and special. The wait made it even better—weeks of wondering and hoping. Kids treasured exotic stamps, and the crinkly paper made the whole thing feel like an adventure. In a quieter, slower time, air mail letters made the world feel close and full of wonder.

7. Ubbi Dubbi
Ubbi Dubbi was the secret language every cool kid in the early ’70s wanted to speak. The rules were simple—just add “ub” before every vowel sound—and suddenly your words became a silly, jumbled puzzle. “Hello” turned into “hubellubo,” and conversations became laugh-out-loud games. Thanks to the popular PBS show Zoom, kids everywhere jumped on the trend, turning living rooms and playgrounds into Ubbi Dubbi zones. Speaking it fluently made you a legend among your friends. Long before text slang and voice memos, Ubbi Dubbi was our hilarious way of turning ordinary talk into something totally unforgettable.

8. CB Radio
Before texting or Wi-Fi, CB radios were the ultimate way to connect and have some fun during the ‘70s. With a crackle and a call sign like “Roadrunner” or “Sugar Babe,” you could connect with strangers miles away. Teens used them for late-night chats, while truckers relied on them to swap stories and dodge “smokies” on Channel 19. The lingo was its own language—“breaker breaker” meant you were jumping in, and “what’s your 20?” asked where you were. It wasn’t just talk—it was a community on the air. A little static, a lot of fun. Over and out, good buddy.

9. Water Beds
Nothing said “cool” like a water bed during this era. These wave-like mattresses felt totally futuristic and gave teens a fun, rebellious upgrade from the typical spring bed. Decked out with psychedelic sheets, lava lamps, and posters of rock stars, water beds quickly became the heart of every groovy bedroom. Friends would gather, laugh, and try to stay balanced as the bed wobbled underneath. Sure, they had quirks—sloshing sounds, surprise waves, and the occasional leak—but that was part of the charm. More than a bed, it was a statement: laid-back, bold, and totally unforgettable.

10. Macramé
Macramé became a creative sensation in the 1970s, taking over homes, classrooms, and craft areas. With just a little cord and imagination, people of all ages were tying knots and making magic in anything from living rooms to art courses in schools. Strands were transformed into wall hangings, plant containers, and even owl-shaped décor with wooden bead eyes by a few easy twists and loops. It was soothing, interactive enjoyment that gave any area character and warmth. Just your hands, some thread, and a little perseverance—no fancy equipment. Because it was artistic, useful, and proudly handmade from scratch, macramé represented the DIY ethos of the era.

11. Iron-on T-shirts
For every child with a vivid imagination and a favorite rock band or cartoon, iron-on T-shirts were a rite of passage—pure ’70s enchantment. Taking a comic book ad or a transfer from the five-and-dime, you would go home prepared to create fashion history. The sizzling of the iron, the fragrance of hot cotton, and the moment of satisfaction when you pull back the paper? Not to be matched. These t-shirts were miniature works of art, not just clothing. Wearing a sparkly peace sign or your favorite superhero felt like a way to flaunt your individuality. One press, and boom—instant retro swagger.

12. Portable Record Players
Long before streaming took over, the ultimate flex for any music lover was a portable record player. These colorful, boxy cases with built-in speakers turned any bedroom, backyard, or basement into a mini concert stage. Just stack your favorite 45s, drop the needle, and let the warm crackle of vinyl fill the air. Whether you were spinning the Jackson 5 or Carole King, every track felt like your personal anthem. Friends gathered, sang along, and made memories. With bold designs and suitcase-style handles, they were music and style in one. More than a gadget, they were the heartbeat of a ’70s youth.

13. Generic Food Products
In the late ’70s, grocery shopping got a major reality check with the rise of generic food products. No flashy logos, no cartoon mascots—just plain packaging with bold black text declaring exactly what was inside: Cereal. Beans. Potato Chips. These no-frills items looked like props from a sci-fi bunker, not a supermarket aisle. Born out of inflation and tight budgets, they ditched marketing entirely to cut costs. For kids, it meant zero excitement—no prizes, no color, just disappointment in a box. Still, this stripped-down grocery phase became a quirky snapshot of the times—blunt, practical, and unmistakably ’70s.

14. Early Home Computers
If you were a kid in the late ’70s, seeing a computer in someone’s home felt like stepping into the future. These machines weren’t sleek or simple—they were boxy, confusing, and totally fascinating. Forget Wi-Fi and touchscreens; if you wanted your Apple II or TRS-80 to run a game, you needed cassette tapes, patience, and nerves of steel. Loading software took forever, and even a blender in the next room could ruin everything. The keyboards felt like typewriters in combat boots, and one typo could crash the whole thing. Still, it was pure magic—a clunky, glitchy glimpse into the digital age.

15. Parachute Toys
Back in the late ’70s, one of the most unforgettable toys wasn’t flashy or high-tech—it was the simple, thrill-packed Parachute Man. Cheap, simple, and wildly fun, this little plastic figure with a parachute brought big thrills. You’d climb something high—a treehouse, rooftop, or wobbly chair—and launch him into the air, hoping for a smooth, slow-motion landing. Sometimes he soared; sometimes he crash-landed or got stuck on a roof forever. Still, the fun was endless. Whether store-bought or a DIY version tied to a grocery bag, parachute toys turned every launch into an epic adventure worth remembering.