Kids These Days Want iPhones — We Just Wanted Crayola 64
Via Wikimedia Commons
Remember the thrill of opening a brand-new box of Crayola 64 crayons? That iconic collection, with its rainbow of shades and the magical built-in sharpener, was the ultimate childhood treasure. Deciding which color to use for your latest masterpiece was a serious decision, and coloring was nothing short of pure bliss. Kids today may crave the latest smartphones and endless apps, but back then, all we needed was a box of crayons to spark endless creativity.
Our Version of Video Games: Waterful Ring Toss
Via ackley_jonathan
Forget high-tech consoles—the Waterful Ring Toss was where the fun was at. Hours would slip by as we pumped water to get those pesky plastic rings onto the spikes. Successfully catching every ring felt like winning the lottery, while losing one down the drain. Heartbreaking, to say the least. Dentist visits were often just an excuse to snag one of these as a prize—pure childhood gold.
The Unforgettable Smell of Play-Doh
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Cracking open a tub of Play-Doh unleashed a scent that instantly signaled fun. Whether you were crafting pizzas, dinosaurs, or just mashing colourful blobs together, that distinct aroma was unforgettable. Let’s be honest—we’ve all tasted it at least once (no judgment). The spaghetti maker tool? A true masterpiece of its time.
The Alarm Clock That Haunted Every Morning
Via TDade
Historians might joke that 93.1% of Americans once owned this brown digital alarm clock. Its grating buzz was a universally dreaded wake-up call. Still, it was a reliable fixture on countless nightstands, and if you’re lucky, you might still find one collecting dust at your grandparents’ house.
Landline Phones and Tangled Cords
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Kids today will never understand the frustration of dealing with a tangled phone cord. Untangling it felt like a full-time job, only for it to get tangled again moments later. And let’s not forget the joys of trying to have a private conversation while your mum was listening on the other line. Wireless technology? We’re a bit envious, to be honest.
Bingo Counters: The Ultimate School Game Accessory
Via Reddit
Those neon plastic bingo counters were a staple of school days. Stacking them just right and hearing that satisfying click as you marked off a number? Pure joy. They’re still going strong in community centers and retirement homes—and we’re not complaining.
When Music Was a Stack of CDs
Via Facebook
Before streaming services, music libraries came in the form of bulky CD cases. Finding the perfect disc for a road trip meant flipping through endless pages. Hitting a bump in the road and scratching your favorite album? Devastating. But there was something special about carrying your entire collection wherever you went.
Oregon Trail: The Original Survival Game
Via Reddit
Before Fortnite and Call of Duty, there was The Oregon Trail. It was a game of strategy, perseverance, and pure luck—surviving dysentery and crossing rivers was a genuine achievement. Kids today might laugh, but nothing beats the thrill of guiding your wagon to safety.
Blocking Someone in the 90s
Via Instagram
Forget complicated menus or privacy settings. In the 90s, blocking someone was as simple as taking the phone off the hook. Not exactly discreet, but it got the job done with a satisfying finality.
Sticker Collections: The Original Status Symbol
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Having a binder full of stickers was like owning a treasure trove. Scratch-and-sniff, sparkly, or Lisa Frank—the more you had, the cooler you were. Trading stickers was serious business, with deals whispered in hushed tones during recess.
The Thrill of Disposable Photos
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Dropping off film rolls at the drugstore and waiting days for the photos to develop? That was peak excitement. Opening the packet was like Christmas morning, even if half the pictures turned out blurry. Kids today will never know the anticipation of waiting for printed photos.
The Great Towel Display Illusion
Via Instagram
Remember those fluffy towel displays in shops? We all thought they were endless piles of towels—until we discovered they were just foam holders. Finding out the truth was a bit like learning the tooth fairy wasn’t real.
The Magic of The Land Before Time
Via Universal Pictures via IMDb
This beloved dinosaur adventure had it all—adorable characters, epic journeys, and tear-jerking moments. Modern animation may be impressive, but nothing compares to the charm of hand-drawn dinosaurs on a fuzzy TV screen.
Circling Catalogue Items Our Parents Would Never Buy
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Flipping through catalogs and circling every toy we wanted was a childhood ritual. Presenting those lists to our parents? An exercise in hopeful pleading, even though we knew they’d probably never buy a single thing.
The Art Kit That Promised So Much Yet Delivered So Little
Via nerds behaving badly
This art kit was every kid’s dream—until you realized the markers dried out, the paints were crusty, and the pastels broke easily. Still, it felt like a treasure chest filled with endless creative possibilities.
Essential 80s Playground Gear
Via Instagram
From cassette tapes to bulky Game Boys, the 80s playground was ruled by these iconic items. Blank tapes were gold for recording songs off the radio, and those oversized headphones? A badge of honor.
Texting the Hard Way: 99966688 277733 6665553
Via KevinandTrevor
Before smartphones, composing a text message was a workout for your fingers. Pressing keys multiple times to get the right letter was like a game of digital Twister. Kids today have it easy—we had to earn our LOLs.
Every ‘80s Child Knows the Pain of Getting Branded by a Hot Seat Belt
Via nerds behaving badly
If you were lucky enough to grow up in the ‘80s, you probably have a very specific memory etched into your brain—the sting of a scorching metal seat belt buckle on a sweltering summer day. You’d cautiously climb into the car, hoping to dodge the burning touch of that searing metal, only to hear Mum’s inevitable command: “Buckle up!” There was no escape—just the painful branding we all knew too well.
Wonder Bread Sandwiches: The Sticky, Delicious Game of Chance
Via nerds behaving badly
Taking a bite out of a Wonder Bread sandwich was like playing culinary roulette. Would it stick to the roof of your mouth or not? Regardless, our parents kept making them, and we happily devoured them. The peanut butter and jelly version? A certified mouth trap—but undeniably tasty. Wonder Bread might have been iconic, but let’s be honest: it often felt like eating edible glue.
The Fruit-Shaped Erasers That Didn’t Erase
Via Reddit
These colorful, fruit-shaped erasers were supposedly designed to fix our pencil mistakes. But let’s face it—they were about as effective as using a spoon to dig a ditch. Smudges, tears, and eraser shavings everywhere were the norm. Despite their lack of functionality, we adored these vibrant little stationery grenades.
“Tales From the Crypt”: Bedtime Stories with a Twist
Via Wikimedia Commons
Despite its spooky vibe, kids in the late ‘80s couldn’t get enough of Tales From the Crypt. The eerie bedtime tales were oddly comforting thanks to their satisfying twists and the Crypt Keeper’s cackling commentary. Somehow, it was just spooky enough to thrill you but not terrifying enough to keep you up at night.
The Ultimate Playground Status Symbol: The Lunchbox
Via Reddit
Ah, the sheer joy of picking out a brand-new lunchbox for the school year. Whether it featured Power Rangers, Ninja Turtles, or Barbie, your lunchbox wasn’t just a container for food—it was a playground status symbol. Choosing the perfect design was serious business, and getting it right meant instant envy from your classmates.
Bubble Ponytail Holders: Cute but Painful
Via Instagram
These colorful hair accessories were a staple of every ‘80s and ’90s kid’s wardrobe. But anyone with curly hair remembers the pain when these bubble holders tangled or snapped back onto your scalp. Cute? Absolutely. Comfortable? Not so much.
Koosh Balls: The Toys That Did Nothing but Were Everything
Via Amazon
Koosh balls didn’t light up, make noise, or have any discernible purpose—but every kid had one. Maybe it was the satisfying squish or the way they bounced like hyperactive jellyfish. Whatever the reason, these floppy toys were playground essentials.
Care Bears: The Fluffy Therapists We Didn’t Know We Needed
Via Syndication via IMDb
With their brightly colored fur and signature belly badges, the Care Bears were the ultimate mood boosters. A bad day? Pop in a VHS tape, and your problems would melt away. They were like cuddly, cartoon therapists always ready to cheer you up.
Butterfly Hair Clips: The Furbies of Hair Accessories
Via nerds behaving badly
These colorful clips were more than just a hair accessory—they were a way of life. Spotting someone without at least one in their hair was rare. With endless styling possibilities, they were the ultimate fashion statement for ’90s kids.
The Wooden TV Set: A Relic of the Past
Via Reddit
Once upon a time, televisions weren’t sleek or wall-mounted. They were massive, boxy contraptions encased in wood. And let’s not forget the antennas—position them just right, and you might get to watch your favorite show without static.
Swatch Watches: The Ultimate Fashion Statement
Via Reddit
Swatch watches weren’t just timepieces—they were fashion icons. With their bright colors and funky designs, they were the perfect way to show off your style. The fact that they were waterproof? Just the cherry on top.
Stick-On Earrings: Maximum Fun, Minimal Commitment
Via Reddit
Opening a pack of stick-on earrings was like unwrapping a tiny treasure. With shapes for every day of the month, these non-committal accessories were every young girl’s dream. Sure, they rarely stayed on all day, but that didn’t stop us from loving them.
Choosing a Solitaire Card Back: The Ultimate Office Time-Waster
Via nerds behaving badly
Remember customizing your digital solitaire game with card designs like fish, vines, or robots? Half the fun was simply picking the perfect card back. It was the ultimate desk-bound distraction for anyone stuck in front of a clunky computer.
Bike Beads: The Disco Party for Your Ride
Via Reddit
These tiny plastic beads transformed your bike into a rolling party. They clattered and clicked as you pedaled around the neighborhood. The coolest kids had the most beads—even if they constantly flew off at the slightest bump.
Miss Nelson Books: The Classics We Still Love
Via Reddit
Before video games dominated childhood, we had books—and Miss Nelson is Missing was a standout. The story, combined with unforgettable illustrations, captivated us all. It’s still a joy to revisit those pages today.
Clamshell Hair Clips: Painful but Iconic
Via Etsy
These spiky accessories were both stylish and treacherous. Catch your hair in one, and you’ll wince in pain. Despite their discomfort, they were undeniably cool. With grunge and punk aesthetics on the rise, maybe it’s time for a comeback.
The $1.99 Toy Surprise: Small Packages, Big Joy
Via nerds behaving badly
Few things were as thrilling as tearing open a $1.99 toy package. Sure, the contents often broke within minutes, but that didn’t matter. The joy was in the surprise.
Smurf TV Dinner Trays: Dining with Blue Friends
Via Instagram
The real magic of these bright blue trays wasn’t the food—it was the Smurfs themselves. These trays made dinner time fun, especially when paired with your favorite TV show.
Portable DVD Players: The Ultimate Road Trip Flex
Via nerds behaving badly
Strutting onto a road trip with a portable DVD player in hand was the ultimate power move. Sure, the resolution was terrible, but you felt like royalty in your movie theatre.
Tazos: The Playground Currency
Via Reddit
Tazos were the ultimate schoolyard collectibles. If you had a rare one, you were playground royalty. Today, they’re remembered fondly by those now dabbling in cryptocurrencies—the modern equivalent of Tazo trading.
Taco Bell Sauce Packets: A Marker of Time
Via Reddit
If you can remember the original Taco Bell sauce packets, congratulations—you’ve been around the block. Finding an ancient packet in a junk drawer is practically a rite of passage.
How to Train Your Dragon: The Alternative GOT Ending
Via How To Train Your Dragon
Explaining Game of Thrones to kids? Just tell them it ended like How to Train Your Dragon. It’s simpler and far less complicated.
The Rooster Craze of 2005
Via nerds behaving badly
In 2005, every mum’s kitchen had a fake rooster perched somewhere, proclaiming a faux country vibe. Tan cabinets and wood brown accents completed the look. It’s a snapshot of time that many remember with equal parts fondness and confusion.
