Games from the 70s

The 1970s lifestyle can seem a bit strange to modern eyes. This was a decade of flared pants and unironic moustaches. Of one-cent coins and one-dollar notes - made of paper! We watched Countdown in beanbags. We listened to AC/DC and the Bee Gees on our wood-lined turntables, or our fancy new cassette decks.

 70’s icons

The seventies were a golden age for Australian tennis, and we cheered on swimmer Shane Gould at the Olympics. The 1970s also saw big steps forward that we now take for granted, like Medicare and colour television. And after more than a decade of construction, the Sydney Opera House finally opened its doors.

If you grew up in the seventies, you might remember growing up with another local hero: Pentavite. Back then we were renowned for our infant formula and our pleasantly flavoured multivitamin syrup for fussy toddlers. A lot's changed over the years, but Pentavite is still here to support the general health of your kids.

Retro playground

There are parts of the seventies best left in the past - a lot of the fashions, for a start. But there were benefits too. In the days before the internet and smart phones, kids spent more time playing outdoors. Sure, they'd gather around the telly for Saturday morning cartoons, but managing screen time wasn't quite the challenge it is today.

We know it's important to keep our kids active and outdoors. The vitamin D from the sun is good for strong bones, and exercise plays a role in healthy growth and development. So why not try introducing your kids to some playground games popular in the seventies?

Downball

For downball, all you need is a brick wall and a tennis ball. Players take turns to hit the ball with their hand so that it bounces against the ground, then against the wall. If a player misses their turn or doesn't bounce the ball properly, they're out for the match. Last one standing wins the game!

Hopscotch

Back in the seventies it would be hard to find a child who didn't know about hopscotch, but these days it's a dying art. To play, you'll need a small pebble and a piece of chalk to draw the squares. The layout of the squares can vary, but one version popular in 70s schoolyards used eight squares: three single squares, a double, a single, and another double.

First, throw the pebble on one of the squares. Now jump on the squares in order, hopping on the single squares and landing with both feet on the doubles, then spinning around when you reach the end. On the way out, you must jump over the square with the pebble on it. On the way back, you must bend down and pick the pebble up without losing balance.

Elastics

For this, you'll need at least three children, a long piece of elastic, and lots of energy. Two kids stretch the elastic around their legs, while the third jumps in and out between them, chanting rhymes. The higher the elastic, the trickier it gets.  You'll need to find a child of the seventies to teach you the many step patterns and chants, though! And there's more where that came from. Maybe it's time to teach your kids about four square, marbles and yo-yos.

Strength to strength

Some famous icons of the seventies are still going strong.  Pentavite are specialists in children's supplements and have been for over 50 years. We've just released a range of new products to help you support your kids' general health.

Our new range includes Pentavite Vitamin D3 & K2 Kids Liquid, Pentavite Calcium + Magnesium + Vitamin D3 Kids Liquid and Pentavite Calcium + Vitamin D3 & K2 Kids Capsules.

Vitamins D3, K2 and calcium are all great for strong bones and teeth, while magnesium supports muscle health and function. Our vitamin D is derived from natural sources, and products come in either delicious natural mango, vanilla or berry flavours to tempt fussy eaters.

So forget about the haircuts - some things from the 1970s are worth celebrating!

Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. Vitamins and mineral supplements should not replace a balanced diet.