Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.
It’s always fun to turn back time and go down memory lane, back to the 1980s when times were more straightforward, and everyone didn’t have their faces glued to their phones. Toys from the ’80s were much different than the toys of today. Rather than toys, kids today play games on their electronic devices.
There is nothing like the touch and feel of the toys kids used to play with. Some of this era’s toys have become valuable collectibles because of nostalgia; hey, they don’t make toys like they used to.
We’ve listed 13 of these ’89s toys that every kid had or were on their wish list of toys they wanted. You probably remember most, if not all, of these.
1. Cabbage Patch Kids
It would be a crime not to include Cabbage Patch Kids when they caused such a riot when released in stores back in the day. Everyone wanted a doll resembling or resembling them, which Cabbage Patch Kids offered with their massive variety of dolls.
2. Nintendo Game Boy
The Nintendo Game Boy was one of the first handheld gaming consoles at the time, allowing kids to play their favorite games on the go. They could be waiting at the bus stop or eating in the cafeteria while playing Super Mario Bros. That was the life.
3. Teddy Ruxpin Bear
This animated talking bear is now worth a lot on the vintage collectors market, but it was also trendy in the 1980s. Its popularity is due to its animated features and ability to recite a story by placing a cassette on its back.
4. Lite Brite
It is a relatively simple toy that lets your creativity flow and take charge. It features a light board with colorful pins that you can stick into holes to spell out a word or make a picture. The Lite Brite was introduced in the late ’60s but became popular in the ’80s due to more technological advancements, which allowed for more intricate patterns.
5. Transformers Action Figures
One of the most popular cartoons at the time was Transformers, especially after the release of its animated film in 1986. As such, there was a spike in Transformers action figures, as every kid wanted to own a piece of the franchise.
6. Easy Bake Ovens
A toy that makes you feel like a grown-up, and you get rewarded with sugary snacks? Sign me up. That is one of the reasons why kids want to get their hands on the toy, aside from the incredible concept of a toy that bakes actual cookies.
7. Rubik’s Cube
Today, you can find many modern versions of the Rubik’s Cube, but its fame peaked in the 80s. It is a 3D colorful puzzle that confused everyone, and books were released on how to solve one. One of the hallmarks of being cool back in the day was solving a Rubik’s Cube.
8. Simon Says
We know the “Simon Says” game as a traditional children’s playground game. However, Milton Bradley, the inventor of the Simon Says gadget, takes that up a notch. The wheel pairs memorization and quick reactions on a four-colored wheel where you must memorize and reenact a sequence.
9. Slap Bracelets
A colorful bracelet you slap on your wrist was all the rage back in the day. They came in all colors and patterns with a bendable material to make them curl up when smacked on a hard surface. No one knows why Slap Bracelets were such a popular accessory, except they are fun.
10. Care Bears
Soft, adorable plushies of the Care Bears family were some of the must-haves in the 80s. Care Bears each have a unique pattern on their tummies to indicate their unique traits and the original lineup featured ten colorful bears. The number of bears has increased since then, though.
11. Polly Pocket
A set of tiny dolls and accessories that could fit in your pocket! What a fantastic idea! Polly Pocket still exists today, but the ones released in the 1980s were highly detailed and beloved by children of the era.
12. Pound Puppies
Back then, if your parents couldn’t get you an actual puppy, you could ask them for one of these Pound Puppies instead. It came with an adoption certificate and a personalized name tag, too! Each puppy had huge floppy ears and droopy sad eyes, which made you want to own all of them.
13. My Little Pony
Another wildly popular cartoon that aired around 1986 was My Little Pony. These colorful, mystical ponies coexisted with their human companions to defend their land from monsters. Each pony has unique abilities and personality, making it more fascinating and making kids want to collect all the ponies!
18 Everyday Household Items That Are Surprisingly Valuable to Collectors
You don’t have to be a collector or hoarder to have several valuable things in your home. We all accrue many items over the years, some of which could be worth money. Even some everyday household items can be valuable, especially to collectors.
To help determine whether any of your household items are valuable to collectors, we’ve assembled a list of 18 everyday items you likely have in your house. Check out this list and see if any of your items can be turned into money.
Never Put These 15 Things Down the Kitchen Sink if You Want to Avoid a Huge Repair Bill
Many people don’t think about what they put down the kitchen sink. They just scrape all their food waste into the sink, turn on the garbage disposal, and watch it disappear. But many things can damage your garbage disposal or plumbing.
Here are 15 things you should never put down the kitchen sink if you want to avoid a huge repair bill.
14 Insanely Overpriced Fast Food Chains You Shouldn’t Bother With
Fast food is now a luxury. My family and I have completely limited our fast-food outings. Just ordering a basic meal can cost close to $15, and spending even more is easy. Some fast food spots, though, are more expensive than others.
Being shocked by a food bill will surely leave a bad taste in anyone’s mouth. So when you plan an outing, consider the cost of where you will eat rather than just your favorite meals. At these prices, a sit-down restaurant with a more comfortable ambiance where you can better enjoy visiting with friends and family might be a more affordable choice.
So, to help you have the best experience, I chose 14 ridiculously expensive fast-food chains you should be aware of. Many of the restaurants on this list come from my own experience and occasionally wrecked budget. Here are 14 insanely overpriced fast-food chains you shouldn’t bother with.
