With my peer group now hitting their stride in adulthood, the 90s have replaced the 80s as the nostalgic decade of choice. Whether it’s revivals of beloved shows or 16-bit graphics in indie video games, reminders of the 90s are everywhere.
But sometimes, you have to do a little digging to trigger a memory. As a 90s kid, I recall…
Ahh yes, who could forget the summer days spent trying to blast your friends with the most intense-looking water guns you could get your hands on, foisted upon us thanks to some of the most overdramatic commercials on TV.
How many of these did you own? With the most popular brand names being Tamagotchi and Giga Pets, these critters invaded our lives in a whirlwind fad of the late 90s.
In these days of high-tech video games and round-the-clock social connectivity, it’s difficult to imagine the appeal of carrying around a bunch of tiny virtual pets, walking to “exercise” them and power them up, and bonding with strangers over your collection.
Hey, wait a minute…
Speaking of critters, we would be remiss talking about 90s nostalgia without mentioning Beanie Babies. These collectible toys could be found in almost every convenience, grocery, or department store in your town. The weirdest part was, everyone was somehow convinced that if they bought the right creatures, from the correct series, and left them in their original packaging, they would someday be worth a lot of money.
There are still people with massive collections of Beanie Babies to this day. Some even went to get their collections appraised, and find out whether or not that big Beanie Baby payday is finally here!
What toys do YOU remember from your childhood? Whether you’re a 90s kid or from a different decade, we’d love for you to share some memories with us.