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50 Toys From The ’70s, ’80s And ’90s To Transport You Back To Your Childhood
Full disclosure, I’m a ‘90s kid, born and bred. The ‘90s run in my veins and I’m very much a kid of that era! You wouldn’t believe the level of nostalgia I have for the era. It’s utterly ridiculous how much I miss watching Sunday morning cartoons while eating a huge bowl of cereal and playing with my beloved toys. (All at once, of course—I’m a fantastic multitasker when it comes to doing the things that I love.)
I’ve still got a huge box of toys from my childhood that I love to go through from time to time. And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t pop in some batteries to play Mario, Donkey Kong, and Pokémon on my GameBoy Color when I feel like I need a break from ‘The Real World.’ When it rains, when I get the blues—it’s nostalgia time. And a yearning for a more carefree era in my life. However, we here at Bored Panda know that there are lots of you Pandas who are nostalgic for the '70s, '80s, and ‘90s, so we’ve compiled this fun list of the toys you likely played with during that decade. Keep in mind that some of these toys are from even earlier still, but they were still very popular in the '70s, '80s, and '90s. Growing up with them was great!
Oh, and don’t forget to upvote the toys that you loved playing with the most. We’d also love to hear about what your fondest memories and favorite toys were from your childhood, so don’t be shy and drop on by the comment section. Ready to plunge straight into the Land of Nostalgia? Let’s go!
This post may include affiliate links.
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Let's Go Fishin'
Foxxy (The Original) 3 years ago
These are still around, bought one for my son a couple of years ago.
This isn’t the first time that Bored Panda has tackled the topic of nostalgia (here are two great posts by yours truly if you're feeling any nostalgia for my writing). London-based child and adolescent therapist Kemi Omijeh, who is a member of the BACP, went into detail about nostalgia with me on two previous occasions. She explained that our memories of the past can contribute to our sense of self and well-being.
"The period of time we tend to be nostalgic over are significant moments that stood out. Perhaps it was a time when we felt happiest or safest, or perhaps it’s a period where things changed for us,” she told Bored Panda.
#4
These Bouncy Balls You Got From Quarter Vending Machines And Arcades
#5
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According to therapist Omijeh, what a specific time period means to us is far more important than what age we were during the period of time. "Our memories of the past can change over time depending on how often we revisit and also depending on what is going on for us in the present,” she said.
Omijeh noted that who we were during each decade will change our impressions of the time period. So, while she jokes that “oh course, the ‘90s was better!”, she also notes that she might be biased in this particular case.
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Michelle M 3 years ago
I once had a Gameboy where I could play Pokemon. I was addicted so my parents seized it. Never saw my dear boy again.
#8
Lite Brite
Shelli Aderman 3 years ago
And the Portland Stag! (Missing the red nose for its winter set up.)
#9
Polly Pocket. Ordered It Off Of Ebay And Cried When I Saw It Because The Nostalgia Hit So Hard
Foxxy (The Original) 3 years ago
I was so jealous of one of my friends, she had like every polly pocket set. I was super excited when I got one for Chrissie one year. I remember it was a shopping centre type theme with a moving elevator.
“Generally speaking, the better decade is associated with youth and freedom. Nostalgia also often gives us rose-tinted glasses from which to reflect from. How we reflect on the past decades can play a part in how we engage with the current decade."
Earlier still, Omijeh explained to Bored Panda that we tend to feel nostalgic for those time periods where we felt loved and nurtured. Meanwhile, if we had a difficult childhood, odds are, we won’t have much nostalgia for it.
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#12
Crayola Stamper Markers
Foxxy (The Original) 3 years ago
I was so excited when I got a pack of these, trouble is that after a lil while you get bored of them so you start using them like normal textas lol.
"Nostalgia can also be a good coping strategy for times of low mood and challenges," she said, adding that nostalgia can also start to become a problem if it interferes with our everyday lives, as well as our ability to be present in the current moment.
"If we end up comparing it to our experiences today and feeling like nothing is as good as it was, then this will inevitably affect our mood and our ability to do what we need to do. We can become stuck in our nostalgia; in which case it might be best to seek help from a counseling professional to help you process your past in order to enjoy your present."
In short—nostalgia’s fine… in moderation. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Mario won’t be able to save Princess Peach without my help. Watch out, Bowser! [Beep boop.]
#13
Koosh Balls Are Back At Target
#14
Anybody Remember POGS? Just Found Mine From The 90s
Foxxy (The Original) 3 years ago
I remember when we used to get tazos in chip packets. My aunty had 3 albums full of them.
#15
Slinky
Foxxy (The Original) 3 years ago
I could never get them to go down stairs like they show on videos etc. The most I could do was get them tangled lol.
#16
Troll Dolls
#17
When We All Learned To Drive In This Thing
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Stretch Armstrong With Three Of His Limbs Platted
#19
Mouse Trap
#20
Nothing Says 90s Like A Clear Plastic Neon Conair Phone
#21
Magic Ball And Mitt Game
#22
Monster Finger Puppets
#23
Thrift Store Pick Up. 1978 Simon Game. Package Isn't Great But The Toy Is Like New
#24
I Forgot I Used To Love These Until I Saw Them In The Store (Flying Gliders)
#25
My Mom Still Has My Toys That My 10 Month Old Son Plays With When He Comes Over
#26
Neon Klickers Clackers
Monique Reed 3 years ago
There was another kind before these--two larger, very hard acrylic (?) balls on strings. You started by bouncing them against one another and worked up to having them collide at both the top and bottom of the pattern. You could knock yourself out with those, and when they broke, shards flew everywhere. These were tame by comparison!
#27
Rubber Poppers
#28
Plastic Tube With Water And Plastic Fish Inside It, If You Try To Squeeze It It Just Rolls Itself
#29
The Game Of Perfection
Tamra Stiffler 3 years ago
Ahh...this game stressed me OUT. Didn't stop me from obsessively playing with it though.
#30
Skip It
#31
Silly Putty
#32
Fisher Price Adjustable Skates - Most Fun Ever
#33
LEGO Ghost From The 90s. Glows In The Dark
#34
McDonald’s Happy-Meal Transformers
#35
1981 Garfield Phone I Have Wanted Since I Was A Kid!! Guess I’m Getting A Landline
#36
Glittery Sand Lizards
#37
Sesame Street And Disney Poppin' Pals (Playskool)
#38
Play-Doh Fuzzy Pumper Barber And Beauty Shop
#39
Old School Kinder Surprise Toys
Jayne Kyra 3 years ago
These little collectible figurines were awesome! I had so many. Even on this picture I remember the ones I had.
#40
View-Master Mickey Look Gift Set
Foxxy (The Original) 3 years ago
Our very own slide show. These were great, especially when you could buy different viewer discs.
#41
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ThoughtsAreNotFacts 3 years ago
And when the super soakers that could hold more water and be worn as a backpack came out it was ON in my neighborhood during water fights
#42
Micro Machines
#43
Easy Bake Oven
#44
Slime
#45
Glitter Magic Wands
We’re mesmerized over these new glitter wands! from kiddos to adults, these are the hot new fidget toy! head over to our Instagram story for a video demo, each wand handmade in the USA.
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Cannot Believe I Forgot About My Marbleworks Towers
#47
Furby
#48
Sky Dancers
Naima Ivansdóttir 3 years ago
there's a hilarious flick on youtube i guess of a super-excited girl trying her sky dancer for the first time and the thing flies right into the burning fireplace lol
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What do you think ?
Helwin 3 years ago
I clicked expecting to see mostly american toys I know nothing about but was pleasantly surprised to see a fair share of toys I had in my childhood in Europe !
mcborge1 3 years ago
I'm gen x and most of these were around when I was a kid.
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Helwin 3 years ago
I clicked expecting to see mostly american toys I know nothing about but was pleasantly surprised to see a fair share of toys I had in my childhood in Europe !
mcborge1 3 years ago
I'm gen x and most of these were around when I was a kid.
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