There was no shortage of iconic toys in the 70s, many of which that were far more interesting than any video game today. Here’s an assortment of popular playthings that you might have begged for back in the day. Or maybe it was just me.
Some toys are forgotten within months of their initial release; others linger in the memory banks for decades after their demise. In the latter category resides the coolest helicopter to ever hit the scene, the one-and-only VertiBird. For anyone who ever had the pleasure of piloting one of these perpetually-circling choppers, it was an experience you wouldn’t soon forget. … read more
Who could forget those egg-shaped friends from childhood known as Weebles? Despite their unsteady stature, despite the adversity they faced, they always picked themselves up, standing proud and forever smiling. In their own subtle way, they taught us what to do when life knocks you down. … read more
To emerge victorious in Stay Alive meant more than utilizing strategy. Your fleet of marbles sat above an unpredictable sea, one that could open up without warning and swallow your prized spheres like the Bermuda Triangle, making this quite the memorable 70s game. … read more
Kids have a fascination for bugs. Not only are they fun to play with, but a well-placed insect can induce a scream from an unsuspecting sibling. Bugs have minds of their own, however, scurrying at the least opportune moments and ruining the fun. Thankfully, with the invention of Creepy Crawlers, the days of uncooperative insects were over. Now you could make your own rubber replicas, much to your little sister’s horror. … read more
Never has a toy pal exhibited such pliability as Stretch Armstrong. Pull him, bend him, abuse him – it mattered little. Stretch would (eventually) return to his former shape. And during the 70s, Stretch and his arch enemies, Stretch Monster and Stretch Serpent would top many a kid’s Christmas wish list. … read more
Many a 1970s kid witnessed the wonders of the world through a simple little toy called the View-Master. Seemingly every store and vacation spot displayed huge racks filled with the familiar white discs, each containing a collection of three-dimensional images from a plethora of exotic locales, and just about every 70s TV show, cartoon or movie in existence. … read more
Despite the best of intentions, not all toys that reach the marketplace are entirely safe. Take Click Clacks for example (also known as Clackers, Clack Balls, Kerbangers, etc). They seemed harmless enough – just a couple of acrylic spheres attached by a string – but history tells us that they were eventually deemed so dangerous, they were taken off the market. … read more
For youngsters not quite ready to tackle the pogo stick, but eager to get their own bouncy fix, the 1970s offered the Hoppity Hop. Consisting of a large rubber sphere with a handle (or head, depending on the model) affixed to the top, this was a coveted toy among the younger set – at least until your legs grew long enough for a Big Wheel. … read more
The 1970s ushered in an era of electronic games, from arcades to simple handheld devices. Calculator maker Texas Instruments thought there might be a little room for something more educational, and introduced a device called the Little Professor. It looked a lot like a typical calculator with one distinct difference – it didn’t give you the answers. … read more
Kids without easy access to a pool on Long Island in the 1970s had to find all sorts of creative ways to stay cool in the summer. Luckily, the folks at Wham-O toys were there to help, via the ever-popular Slip ‘n Slide. Simply roll out the narrow plastic mat, attach a garden hose, and do try to make sure that the end of the slide doesn’t lead to a tree, driveway or sidewalk.. … read more
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