But children growing up in the 70s never lacked for entertainment, and they often enjoyed greater freedom to make their own fun.
The perfect weekend was different for everyone, of course, but some elements were almost universal.
These are some of the best things you could look forward to doing at the weekend, from classic games to shops and restaurants, if you were lucky enough to grow up during the 70s.
Most of these you will only remember if you are a child of the 70s, and there are many you can sadly no longer do.
How many of these things do you remember, and what else did you enjoy doing at the weekend in the 70s? Let us know in the comments section.
7. Browsing the Argos catalogue
The first Argos catalogue was launched in 1973, and which child of the 70s doesn't remember leafing through the toy section, circling the items you dreamed of owning? It was the retro equivalent of online shopping. | Getty Images Photo: Evening Standard/Hulton Archive
8. Scalextric races
Scalextric was one of the must-have toys of the 70s, with children everywhere dreaming of emulating their Formula 1 idols as they raced their friends around the track until one of the vehicles flew across the living room. Everyone remembers trying to smooth out the metal brushes on the underside of the cars when they stopped working too. | Getty Images Photo: Daily Express/Hulton Archive
9. Fighting with lightsabers
There were some great films during the 70s but no one had ever seen anything quite like Star Wars, released in 1977. It was storytelling on an epic scale. Suddenly children everywhere were fighting with whatever could be a makeshift lightsaber, wearing their hair like Princess Leia, or doing both. Other classic films of the 70s which had youngsters streaming to the cinema included Jaws, Grease and Superman. | National World Photo: National World