34 toys you’ll totally remember if you were a kid in the ’80s
- March 13, 2024 |Last updated on 01/20/2022
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Adults who grew up in the ’80s and ’90s are riding a wave of nostalgia that is crashing over just about everything in pop culture.
But the cool toys from the ’80s and ’90s that every kid had will never go out of style. Many of them remain popular today, and some of the older iterations are worth a decent amount of money. So which of these classic toys did you have (or wish you had) in your closet when you were younger?
1. Cabbage Patch Kids
Who would have thought that ‘babies’ born in a cabbage patch would cause riots in stores? Even though some thought these dolls were ugly, the vast majority of people couldn’t get their hands on them fast enough.
Of course, Cabbage Patch Kids are still available. If you want the vintage collection, head over to eBay to find a wide variety of adorable little tykes. You can also find ones like this Cabbage Patch Kids Official Newborn Baby Doll on Amazon.
2. Rubik’s Cube
We’re not sure that the Rubik’s Cube ever went out of style. This colorful puzzle/game is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and it seems just as popular as when it came out in the early ’80s!
It looks deceptively simple, but just a few twists and turns and you’ll discover that it can be mind-boggling trying to return the cube back to its original matching colors on all sides.
3. Big Wheel
Kids may be too small to drive motorcycles, but the Big Wheel gave youngsters the excitement of riding fast and free. And the spin-out handbrake on the side was the best part of the bike!
Original versions of the Big Wheel are available on eBay, as well. You can find some in decent condition starting at around $50.
4. Star Wars
More than 40 years after the original “Star Wars” movie was released, its toy franchise remains one of the most popular in history. And with new movies and TV series scheduled for years to come, the series is likely to stay relevant. That’s why you can still get new Star Wars action figures today.
But nothing takes the place in our hearts of the vintage collection of “Star Wars” toys.
There are entire Star Wars collections on eBay and other collector sites for those who want the original toys.
5. Monchhichi
Is it a monkey? Is it a teddy bear? It was never really clear with Monchhichi, but they were so adorable, people couldn’t resist them. While the exact original isn’t available, there are new iterations on Urban Outfitters including keychain versions and versions in costume.
If you’re looking for one of the original dolls, then eBay is likely your best bet.
6. Pound Puppies
With their floppy ears and adorable eyes, these little pups in their doghouses were irresistible to kids and grown-ups alike when they hit the market back in the ’80s. They remain popular today, with new versions of the stuffed animal, along with cartoons, movies and more.
7. Teddy Ruxpin
Some thought a talking teddy bear who sang and told stories was adorable. Others thought Teddy Ruxpin was the stuff of nightmares. But there’s no disputing his popularity because trying to find him in the ’80s was next to impossible for a long time. But, if you’re looking for the original now, collectors have the OG Teddy Ruxpin on sale over on eBay.
8. Micro Machines
Remember these tiny cars that kids loved to collect and race around? The cool thing about Micro Machines was not only their size (you could fit a bunch in your pocket) but that they also had sleek designs and even themed sets, such as “Star Wars,” professional race car teams and more.
Now, you can pick up some vintage Micro Machines over on eBay or other collector sites.
9. My Little Pony
The My Little Pony collection is still going strong more than 30 years after they first galloped onto the scene. What was once known as a girl’s toy has now been embraced by all kids. Today’s My Little Pony dolls are a lot more blinged out than their ancestors. But the originals are still beloved and making a comeback.
10. Simon
This handheld electronic memory game is simple in theory, but not so easy to master. It’s hard to believe a game with only four big colored buttons could be so addictive. Simon is still on the market (and just as fun to play).
11. Fisher-Price Little People Farm Playset
These Little People toys were in just about every kid’s room dating back even before the 1980s. The classic farm is probably Fisher-Price’s most popular play set. We love how when the doors opened, a cow would moo! Fisher-Price now has an updated version of this iconic play set.
12. Water Ring Toss
Sometimes the simplest concept makes for major fun. With the push of a single button, a puff of air lifted rings into the water. The challenge was to toss the rings onto the stick. Not as easy as it looks. The original Tomy versions of this game can be found online on sites like eBay.
13. The Farmer Says Game
Preschoolers loved this Fisher-Price toy that made animal sounds. The Farmer Says started as a classic pull-string toy, but today’s version has a handle that lasts a little longer. We’re guessing the swap was made for safety and durability reasons. And like many updates of classic toys, this Farmer Says toy has more interactive features than the original, including quizzes and more.
14. Lite-Brite
Lite-Brite gave kids the power to make beautiful, colorful creations with pegs that lit up. Each Lite-Brite kit came with patterns kids could follow to make pictures, or they could create their own with blank templates. The newest edition of Lite-Brite even comes with a handy case for all the colored pegs. Where was that when I was a kid?
15. Rainbow Brite
The “Rainbow Brite” TV show and movie launched in the ’80s, and reboots featuring Rainbow Brite and her trusted steed, Starlite, have been rolled out several times since then. If you were a fan, chances are you remember the Rainbow Brite doll and the stuffed animal version of her colorful horse from back in the day.
MORE: Exciting news for 80s kids: Rainbow Brite dolls are back!
16. Colorforms
A simple toy for a simpler time. Colorforms were cut-out plastic “stickers” kids could place on a background to tell a story.
Though Colorforms were born in the ’50s, they became popular much later when the company began incorporating pop culture icons, the first of whom was Popeye. You can find some of the classics on eBay, and elsewhere.
Today, brand-new sets are being released for the latest generation of kids. You can find sets on Amazon or this Colorforms Pet’s Playset from Walmart.
17. Fisher-Price Medical Kit
Would-be doctors and nurses could practice their skills way before medical school with the complete Fisher-Price Medical Kit. It had a “working” stethoscope, thermometer, blood pressure cuff and even a syringe for a shot (ouch!). The original kits came in a hard briefcase carrier and can be found on sites like eBay.
The current version has a doctor’s bag with pretty much the same medical instruments. Because why change a classic when it works so well?
18. Roller Skates
Long before rollerblades, the roller skate was the coolest toy on wheels. Kids would spend weekends skating outside or at the local roller rink. Whether you had the metal kind you slid on over your sneakers or the totally awesome boot skate, it was all about getting out and rolling! You can still find roller skates today in stores and online in the classic design. Some things just never go out of style!
19. Popples
Before there were Pillow Pets, there were Popples. These adorable, cuddly creatures “popped” out of their own little bag for some fun imaginative play and snuggle time.
20. Easy Bake Oven
Who would have thought that cooking with a light bulb would be so much fun? Well, kids from “back in the day” (and even today) loved making their little cakes in their Easy Bake Oven.
Today’s version is more sleek, and there are countless accessories and even mixes you can purchase to keep the cakes and cookies coming. But, we think the vintage Easy Bake ovens from the ’70s and ’80s are pretty darn cool to look at.
21. ViewMaster
Remember having a photo slideshow in your toy box or pocket? With the vintage white discs and the red viewer, you could see pictures of everything from popular tourist attractions to favorite TV shows. Plus, you can still get the classic version (along with more high-tech VR viewers) at Amazon.
22. Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine
Nothing hit the spot on a hot, summer’s day more than a sno-cone made by Snoopy and the Peanuts gang. Some ideas are so pure, there’s no need to make major improvements to them. If you want one of the Snoopy Sno-cone machines from your childhood, check out these options on eBay. But, you can still find the original version on sale today at Walmart.
23. Smurfs
Who could forget these tiny, blue collectible figures? They had a TV show in the ’80s, along with their own toy line, stuffed animals and more. In recent years, they’ve made a comeback in movie theaters. They remain popular today in their current design with toy sets, stuffed animals and more.
24. Merlin
This handheld electronic toy had a variety of games for kids to play: tic-tac-toe, memory games, puzzles and more. Sure, it may look like a retro-style touch-tone phone, but it was pretty cool in its day.
You can still get this game new in the package on Amazon, but they are rare. That means they are pricey. Or, you can check out eBay to find some gently used models from yesteryear for a little less money to get your nostalgia fix.
25. Handheld Football Game
Who remembers the cool whistle sound this game made every time you got tackled? Or button mashing to get the blip across the screen to score a touchdown? You can find some of the original handheld electronic football games on eBay starting at $20.
26. Garbage Pail Kids Cards
Yes, Garbage Pail Kids were kind of a dark and twisted spin on the insanely popular Cabbage Patch Kid dolls. Nevertheless, all the cool kids collected these cards and traded them on the playground. You can choose from vintage sets available on eBay or look in local stores to find the latest releases.
27. Speak and Spell
A toy that made spelling entertaining and f-u-n? Leave it to a handheld electronic game to make something we hated at school something we couldn’t wait to play at home! Speak and Spell made it possible. Grab this toy on Amazon, because we’re sure your little kids will love it too.
28. Atari 2600
Long before the virtual reality games we play today were even imagined, the Atari 2600 console brought video games out of the arcade and into our homes. It changed the way we played games forever.
You can still find vintage Atari 2600 consoles and game cartridges on eBay. Or, you can pick up an updated Atari 2600+ console on Amazon that comes with a 10-in-1 game cartridge, and you can play original cartridges as well.
29. Transformers
It’s a truck! It’s a car! No, it’s a robot! OMG, it’s all of the above! Transformers took imaginative play light years ahead by allowing kids to change the way a toy looked with just a few twists and turns. You can get the newest collection of Transformers on Amazon. Or, if you’re looking for some of your long-lost original Transformers, stop by eBay to relive those glory days!
30. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
The Masters of the Universe toy line remains one of the most popular action figure collections ever made. Remember He-Man, Man-At-Arms, Skeletor and She-Ra? Of course, you do.
This new action figure and others in the collection are available on Amazon. Or, you can step into the time machine of eBay and try to find a vintage collector’s item.
31. Fisher-Price Cassette Player
The kids’ version of a “boom box,” the Fisher-Price cassette player would let you listen to your favorite tunes, or record them off the radio (shhh!) if you could avoid those darn commercials! Admit it, you recorded yourself plenty of times, too.
32. Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots
Kids (and adults) got to act out their aggression and frustration safely with these fun guys who would try to knock each other’s heads off. You can still find the classic toy in stores and online.
33. Strawberry Shortcake
An adorable, red-haired doll that smelled like strawberries — little girls couldn’t get enough of Strawberry Shortcake and her sweet-smelling friends.
Well, Strawberry Shortcake is back as part of the 80s toy trend, and she looks as lovely as ever. And, of course, you can still find vintage Strawberry Shortcake dolls and her fun accessories on eBay.
34. Spirograph
Some plastic rings with holes and colored pens made the most amazing designs. The original Spirograph came out decades before the 1980s, but its amazing patterns and easy use made it a must-have for the hip kids of the ’80s — and kids still love it today.
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