The 1970s were a vibrant mix of experimentation, self-expression, and cultural change. Nowhere was that spirit more evident than in the decade’s quirky hobbies and craze-worthy pastimes. As society shifted from the radical energy of the late ’60s into a new era of leisure and individuality, people embraced hobbies that reflected their creativity and curiosity.
Living rooms filled with macramé plant hangers and music, while garages became workshops for model cars and CB radios. On weekends, roller discos pulsed with glitter and funk, and fantasy lovers gathered around tables for marathon sessions of Dungeons & Dragons. Others took to the streets with skateboards just for the thrill of it.
The 1970s were all about doing your own thing, and these unusual, joyful pastimes remind us that sometimes, the best trends are the ones that make us laugh, move, and simply enjoy the moment.
1
CB Radio Chatting
Before the internet, there were citizens band (CB) radios. People loved using call signs and slang (“10-4, good buddy!”) to chat with strangers across town.
2
Terrariums & Indoor Gardening
With the back-to-nature movement, mini indoor ecosystems were the thing. Terrariums filled with ferns and moss made city apartments feel like jungles.
3
Disco Dancing
People spent weekends practicing dance moves, learning The Hustle, and hitting the clubs in polyester and sequins.
4
Slide Shows and Home Movies
Families loved gathering around the projector for slide shows of vacations, complete with narration and maybe a few groans. Super 8 cameras made everyone an amateur filmmaker.
5
Collecting (Everything!)
Collectors went wild for things like Trading cards (from Star Wars to sports). If it could be kept and categorized, someone in the ’70s collected it.
6
Skateboarding
What started as “sidewalk surfing” in California exploded nationwide. Homemade boards evolved into sleek designs as skating culture took hold.
7
Yoga and Meditation
Eastern philosophies gained huge popularity. People gathered in community centers and living rooms to stretch, chant, and explore mindfulness; a big shift from the fast-paced ’60s.
8
Board Games and Role-Playing
Games like Twister, Clue, and the newly invented Dungeons & Dragons (1974) became beloved group pastimes, merging imagination with social fun.
9
Craft Kits and Homemade Everything
From candle making to tie-dye to sewing your own clothes, DIY projects were everywhere; often fueled by the “back to the land” and “make it yourself” ideals of the time.
10
Paint-by-Numbers & DIY Art Kits
Anyone could be an artist with a numbered canvas and some little pots of paint. It was relaxing, colorful, and very living room wall–worthy once finished.
11
8-Track Tape Collecting & Music Swapping
Before playlists and mixtapes came the 8-track: chunky cartridges filled with tunes. People traded them, debated sound quality, and curated their music stashes like fine art.
12
Iron-On T-Shirt Art
Custom tees with witty slogans, rainbows, and glittery designs were the height of cool. Hobbyists used home iron-on kits to make personal fashion statements.
13
Model Building (Cars, Planes, & Spaceships)
Glue, paint, and patience: model kits gave hobbyists hours of quiet focus. From Mustangs to Apollo rockets, miniature worlds came alive on kitchen tables everywhere.
14
Folk Music & Guitar Circles
Inspired by artists like Joni Mitchell and James Taylor, people gathered in living rooms and parks to strum acoustic guitars, sing harmonies, and feel deeply mellow.
15
Flower Pressing & Nature Crafts
Preserving petals, leaves, and grasses in journals or frames combined artistry with a love of nature, perfect for the earth-conscious, bohemian spirit of the ’70s.
16
Early Video Gaming & Pinball Arcades
Pong hit living rooms in 1972, and pinball parlors were buzzing. Gamers proudly mastered the silver ball or pixel paddle before “gamer” was even a word.
17
Bread Baking & Home Canning
As part of the back-to-basics movement, home kitchens smelled of fresh sourdough and jars of homemade jam. “Natural living” was both a hobby and a statement.
18
Karaoke Parties (Pre-Karaoke!)
With cassette decks and microphones, people held “sing-along nights” to belt out hits from The Bee Gees or Fleetwood Mac, an early form of karaoke gatherings.
19
Jigsaw Puzzle Marathons
Rainy weekends were perfect for thousand-piece puzzles; often depicting landscapes, kittens, or psychedelic artwork. Patience was key, and so was a steady hand.
20
Macramé Mania
Everyone seemed to be tying knots in the ’70s, from plant hangers to wall art to belts. Macramé embodied the DIY spirit of the decade, often paired with earthy tones and wooden beads.
