Top 20 '80s Toys We Loved

#20: Micro Machines

For much of its existence, Hot Wheels has led the way in the miniature toy car department. During the late 80s and into the 90s, though, Micro Machines gave the competition a run for their money. One of the most successful productions from Galoob, Micro Machines wasn’t limited to cars, but also trains, boats, aircraft, and even tanks. In addition to vehicles, the brand produced detailed playsets, which eventually extended to movies like “Star Wars” and… “Terminator 2?” We miss the days when R-rated movies inspired children’s toys. We also miss seeing John Moschitta Jr., the fast-talking spokesman who got us pumped about these tiny toys. Whether for playtime or booby trapping the house, Micro Machines proved that big things can come in small packages.

#19: Glo Worm

Does a night light count as a toy? We guess if it’s in plush form and you don’t need to plug it in. For kids who were afraid of the dark, Glow Worm is one bed bug that you didn’t mind. Actually, the doll looked more like a noseless person wearing snug, worm-like pajamas, making it feel less like an insect. They would even introduce a Glo Baby, pretty much erasing the bug factor for anyone with entomophobia. While Glo Worm brought many children comfort as they drifted to sleep, there were some safety concerns regarding the chemicals used in its head. That said, you’re probably better off getting your kid a new Glo Worm rather than passing down the one you grew up with.

#18: My Pet Monster

It’s weird how we were afraid of monsters living under our beds, yet we didn’t mind cozying up to a monster in bed. Maybe that’s because My Pet Monster was equal parts protector of things that go bump in the night. Introduced in 1986, this monster had all the attributes one would expect: blue fur, horns, sharp teeth, etc. However, he was far more huggable than your typical beast. The doll was also distinguished with breakaway orange handcuffs, which kids could try on as well. If you have fond memories of the toy, chances are you likewise remember the live-action direct-to-video movie and short-lived animated series. Honestly, we had more fun inventing our own stories with our pet monster.

#17: Pogo Balls

For generations, children have played with balls and pogo sticks. It just makes sense to merge them into one! Okay, we admit that it sounds like a weird combination, but Pogo Balls were arguably easier to master than their stick counterparts. While they were invented in the late 60s, Pogo Balls wouldn’t explode into popularity until the mid-80s. Resembling Saturn or a flying saucer, these toys consisted of a ring wrapped around a ball. They were a bit like hippity hops, although these required you to stand while bounding around. This made them better for exercise… and probably more dangerous, too. Even if you were a reckless bouncer, there’s no denying that Pogo Balls had us jumping for joy.

#16: Jem

Of all the franchises that captured the youth zeitgeist during this era, Jem and the Holograms was perhaps the most distinctly 80s. The clothes, the hair, the neon, what other decade could give us this product? Reflecting a generation that also grew up on MTV, Jem was the missing link between a music video and Saturday morning cartoon. Coinciding with the animated series, Hasbro also naturally produced a toy line. The dolls often came with some sort of music tie-in, like a cassette tape. Now that’s what we call brilliant synergy, which was fittingly the name of Jem’s computer. Whether you were more drawn to the fashion or the music, Jem was totally outrageous. Eat your heart out, Barbie and the Rockers!

#15: Pound Puppies

Stuffed animal toys have existed since at least the late 19th century. You wouldn’t think they’d ignite much fanfare by the late 20th century. Pound Puppies stood out for a few reasons, however. It wasn’t just the wide eyes or flopping ears, although that did greatly contribute to the cuddle factor. What really left kids wanting to take these puppies home was the adoption certificate that came with them. Yeah, it might not have been a legitimate legal document, but to little kids, that piece of paper meant something. It was physical proof that this puppy was your responsibility. Be it a Pound Puppy or a Pound Purry if you were a cat kid, the paper made it feel like more than a toy.

#14: Popples

The 80s proved to be a golden era for teddy bears, as you’ll find throughout this list. Since all animal stuffies are inherently cute, mass-marketed teddy bears needed an extra gimmick to draw in the elder millennials. For Popples, it was a pom-pom-topped tail and a pouch that enabled them to be converted into a ball. Imagine if a Care Bear and a Transformer had a baby… actually, don’t because that’s a disturbing mental image. Ugh, too late! In their ball form, Popples could also function as a pillow, making them all the more appealing for bedtime. From Sports Popples for recess to Pocket Popples for those traveling extra lightly, it’s clear why these bears popped in popularity

#13: The Real Ghostbusters

“Ghostbusters” was already a decade-defining franchise by the time the hit animated series premiered. In terms of toys, “The Real Ghostbusters” is where playtime peaked. Of course, there were mainstays like Stay Puft and Slimer. Where the movies only had so many characters that could inspire toys, the show blew the roof off, just as Walter Peck released the ghosts from the containment unit. In addition to the Ghostbusters themselves, Kenner produced creatively creepy toys that could slime, transform, and gross us out in a good way. It’s a shame that a lot of these inventive figures never made their way into the live-action movies. For those who grew up with the toys, though, busting never felt better.

#12: Rainbow Brite

As her name suggests, Rainbow Brite encompassed every color under the sun, but Hallmark Cards and toy licensors mainly saw green as they slapped her face on a plethora of merchandise. While Rainbow Brite has spanned multiple decades, she shined brightest in the 80s when Mattel produced the first generation of toys. Be it a Rainbow Brite, Starlite, or Puppy Brite doll, these toys always made playtime more colorful. Well, unless you preferred playing with the villainous Murky and Lurky, who were admittedly the best characters. For those who sought to collect all of a rainbow’s colors, though, you could decorate your room with these dolls to the point it looked like the inside of a Crayola box.

#11: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero

G.I. Joe is a toy that traces back to the 60s. In the 80s, though, “A Real American Hero” redefined the brand for a new generation, putting the action back in action figure. Taking a page from Kenner’s success with the “Star Wars” toys, the Joes were scaled down to 3.75 inches. While the figures got smaller, the roster became increasingly larger with the additions of fan-favorites like Snake Eyes. The vehicles and playsets became more ambitious as well, a standout being the G.I. Joe Defiant space shuttle. Again, you could see the “Star Wars” influence, which is far from a bad thing. War is hell, but going on missions with your Joes was all fun and games.

#10: He-Man & She-Ra

“Masters of the Universe” was the ‘80s franchise that managed to have both a male and female protagonist for kids to idolize. While many popular toys were created because of the popular TV and film properties they were affiliated with, in this case, the opposite was true. Mattel sought to recreate the success seen with “Star Wars” merchandise and created a line of toys they hoped would sell big. They nailed it with He-Man and the rest of the crew, and the success of the action figures brought on an animated series, as well as a She-Ra spin-off, and a live-action film in the 80s.

#9: Strawberry Shortcake

She’s a character created by a greeting card illustrator at the tail end of the 1970s that eventually became one of the most sought-after dolls of the next decade, so we’re making an exception. The 80s were a time for scented everything, and Strawberry Shortcake and her gang of fruity-scented friends may have kickstarted the trend. If you were a little girl in the 80s, you just had to have one of these dolls. Even today, that artificial strawberry scent can bring you right back to the days when taking care of your dolls was the most important thing in the world.

#8: Teddy Ruxpin

While the teddy bear had been around for decades by the time the 80s came along, kids back then were not quite accustomed to all of the high-tech playthings we had today. So, the idea of a teddy bear that could talk? It was pretty much the coolest thing you could imagine. Teddy Ruxpin was the top-selling toy in both 1985 and 1986 because kids just couldn’t get enough of his engaging stories - even if he told the same ones over and over again.

#7: Little Tikes Country Cottage

Every toddler wants to play house, and what better way than with the Little Tikes Country Cottage? It does seem a little strange that kids loved to pretend to make phone calls and clean dishes, when there were so many more exciting things to use your imagination for, but replicating Mom and Dad never really got old. Did these plastic retreats actually improve our domestic skills? Probably not. But it sure was fun to chat with our friends and families through the openable doors and windows, not to mention our stuffed animals!

#6: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

The “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” franchise got its start in the 80s with a comic book storyline, followed by the animated series, which launched in 1987. While the toys may have peaked in popularity in the 90s, any 80s kid who was ahead of the curve had a couple of these action figures in their playroom. Everyone had a favorite turtle, but you most likely owned all four turtle toys because of brilliant marketing on the part of the manufacturer. Chances are you also begged your parents for a Technodrome playset.

#5: Fisher-Price Tape Recorder

Long before iPods and MP3 players, we had to listen to our favorite tunes on cassettes. For kids, there was no hotter accessory than the portable Fisher-Price Tape Recorder, which could also record content for you. The main feature of the product’s branding seemed to be the fact that it was sturdy and kids couldn’t break it, which was probably a good idea because otherwise our parents never would have trusted us with such cutting-edge technology. The brand also made another two of our favorite toys from the era: Grow with Me 1,2,3 Roller Skates and Medical Kit.

#4: Care Bears

Just like Strawberry Shortcake, the Care Bears’ origins can also be traced back to greeting cards. Like many other franchises before and after, the Care Bears had that “gotta have ‘em all” mentality attached to them. You didn’t want just one of the bears in your stuffed animal collection. It started with the original ten Care Bears, including favorites like Good Luck Bear, Love-A-Lot Bear, Tenderheart Bear, and Wish Bear, all of whom had a special symbol on their tummy to tell them apart.

#3: My Little Pony

Any girl who grew up in the 80s can undoubtedly still remember the feel and smell of a My Little Pony toy. They fulfilled your wish of having a real live pony of your own, without all the mess and expense. Not to mention, they came in a rainbow of fun colors. The 80s were a simpler time when just sitting and brushing through your pony’s hair was enough to keep you entertained. In fact, the world of “My Little Pony” has seen a resurgence in popularity in the early 21st century with an entire community of grown men pledging fealty to the brand.

#2: Transformers

Long before the action-packed Michael Bay movies hit the silver screen, 80s kids got to play with actual Transformer toys that were the height of awesomeness. Whether you had Optimus Prime, Megatron, or one of the other Autobots or Decepticons, you could have hours of fun with these toys in either car or robot form. Somehow, even decades later, that catchy jingle and slogan from the commercial can still get stuck in our heads. Despite the franchise being revived, we’ll still think of these characters in their original 80s iterations.

#1: Cabbage Patch Kids

These dolls were so popular that they actually caused riots in the lead up to the holiday season in 1983 when the demand for them was so high that stores couldn’t keep enough in stock to satisfy customers. Unlike many other dolls, Cabbage Patch Kids were actually marketed at both boys and girls, which served to effectively double their popularity. They really tried to up the authenticity of these dolls, offering each one with a birth certificate and official adoption papers, making you feel like each one was truly unique.

Which toy did you play with the most in the 80s? Let us know in the comments.