1. Lisa Frank Stationery
If you were a kid in the ‘90s, chances are you had a binder or sticker collection plastered with neon dolphins, unicorns, or wide-eyed kittens, Emily Blackwood from PEOPLE shares. Lisa Frank stationery was the crown jewel of every elementary school backpack. It wasn’t just paper—it was a glittery status symbol that let the world know you got it. Trading stickers with friends during lunch was basically a rite of passage.
The brand exploded in popularity in the late ’80s and ’90s, thanks to its wildly colorful, fantasy-inspired art. Kids would beg their parents for folders, notebooks, and Trapper Keepers bearing Lisa Frank designs. The brand became so popular that it expanded into everything from pencils to backpacks. Even today, Lisa Frank is a symbol of childhood for a whole generation.
2. Lite-Brite
There was something truly magical about popping those tiny, colorful pegs into a black screen and watching your creation light up. Lite-Brite was both a toy and a little art installation, complete with templates that let you build rainbows, clowns, or your own freeform designs. The light behind the screen gave everything this glow that felt high-tech at the time. Kids could sit in a dark room for hours just rearranging those pegs.
Introduced in 1967, Lite-Brite remained a staple in toy boxes well into the ’90s. The satisfying click of inserting each peg was weirdly addictive. It also let kids feel a little independent, like they were in control of a mini light show. For many, it was the first time they felt the joy of turning imagination into something tangible.
3. Skip-It
Remember trying to get that little plastic ball to swing around your ankle without tripping over it and face-planting in the driveway? Skip-It was part toy, part workout—and all about coordination. The counter on the ball made it feel like a challenge to beat your personal best. For a lot of kids, it was the original wearable tech.
Originally released in the late ‘80s and then redesigned in the early ‘90s with the counter, Skip-It became a schoolyard must-have, according to Brian De Los Santos from Mashable. You’d see kids hopping around on sidewalks, yelling their scores like personal records. It looked easy but required real rhythm, which made mastering it that much more satisfying. It also gave parents an excuse to call it “exercise.”
4. Tamagotchi
If you didn’t sneak a Tamagotchi into your backpack, did you even go to middle school? These pixelated pets lived inside tiny keychain-sized devices and demanded food, discipline, and regular cleanup. They beeped at the worst times—like in the middle of math class—but abandoning them felt like genuine neglect. Keeping your Tamagotchi alive past a week was practically heroic.
Tamagotchis were released by Bandai in 1996 and instantly became a worldwide craze, according to Sebastian Skov Andersen from VICE. Kids compared pet stats during recess like they were trading Pokémon cards. The little egg-shaped devices introduced a new level of responsibility to playtime. And when your Tamagotchi inevitably “died,” the grief was very, very real.
5. Goosebumps Books
Just seeing a shelf of Goosebumps spines—those eerie fonts and creepy cover art—brings back a wave of nostalgia. R.L. Stine’s horror-for-kids series had an edge that made you feel brave just for reading it. Whether it was haunted dummies or evil masks, every story was the perfect mix of scary and silly. It made libraries cool again.
The series debuted in 1992 and sold millions of copies throughout the ‘90s, Andrew Firriolo from BuzzFeed shares. Scholastic book fairs became a hotspot for snagging the latest release. Goosebumps even had a short-lived TV series that brought some of those tales to life. For many kids, it was their first dip into horror—and it was thrilling.
6. Easy-Bake Oven
Sure, the cakes were the size of a silver dollar and tasted like warm cardboard, but baking them felt like culinary magic. With just a lightbulb and some questionable mix packets, you could whip up tiny brownies and cookies in your bedroom. It was all about the process, not the product. And the fact that it was all yours? That made it special.
Easy-Bake Ovens first came out in the 1960s, but the pastel models of the ‘80s and ‘90s hit peak popularity. It made kids feel grown-up while also keeping them away from the real oven. There was even a bit of pride in hosting your own mini “bake sale” for your siblings. The tiny trays and spatulas made it feel like a real kitchen, only cuter.
7. Fisher-Price Tape Recorder
Before Spotify and iPhones, there was the chunky, red-and-yellow Fisher-Price tape recorder. Kids would record silly songs, fake radio shows, or just hours of static and call it a mixtape. The built-in microphone felt like high-tech gear at the time. It was your first introduction to broadcasting—or annoying your siblings endlessly.
Released in the early ‘80s, this tape recorder was nearly indestructible and wildly popular throughout the decade and into the ’90s. It ran on batteries and played standard cassette tapes, making it practical and fun. It also gave kids a taste of control over their media—rewinding, fast-forwarding, and recording their own audio. For many, it was the first step into storytelling or music.
8. Polly Pocket
You needed small hands and a big imagination to enjoy Polly Pocket. These tiny plastic playsets opened like clamshells to reveal entire worlds—castles, beaches, malls—all inhabited by even tinier dolls. Each set was compact enough to fit in a pocket, making it perfect for car rides or sneaky school play. You didn’t just play with Polly Pocket—you curated it.
Originally launched in 1989, Polly Pocket was especially popular through the early ‘90s. The original designs were far smaller and more detailed than the later, larger versions. Kids would collect different sets and snap them together to create entire communities. It encouraged creativity and storytelling in a pocket-sized package.
9. Mr. Sketch Markers
These weren’t just any markers—these smelled like a sugar-fueled dream. Mr. Sketch markers were the scented gods of the art supply cabinet, each color paired with a distinct (and debatably edible-smelling) scent. Cherry, mint, licorice—every sniff was a little dopamine hit. You probably risked a headache or two from over-sniffing the grape one.
Mr. Sketch markers became classroom staples in the ’80s and ’90s, often used for posters, projects, or just inhaling your way through a rainy afternoon. They made coloring more interactive and memorable. The scents were strong enough to waft across the room, making them instant classroom currency. And yes, everyone had a favorite (even if it was the weird banana one).
10. Moon Shoes
Basically trampolines for your feet, Moon Shoes were the chaotic energy of the ‘90s in physical form. They were clunky, hard to walk in, and almost guaranteed a twisted ankle—but kids couldn’t get enough of them. Slipping your sneakers into those bungee-bound platforms made you feel like you were defying gravity. In reality, you were bouncing half an inch off the ground and loving every second.
Released in the early ‘90s and marketed heavily through Nickelodeon commercials, Moon Shoes promised “anti-gravity fun.” They were like wearable pogo sticks and part of a larger wave of wacky outdoor toys. While not exactly NASA-grade, they did get kids off the couch and into the backyard. And when your friend had a pair? You had to try them.
11. My Pet Monster
A little scary, a little cuddly, My Pet Monster was the oddball plush toy that felt like a rebellious twist on your average teddy bear. With bright blue fur, sharp teeth, and signature breakaway orange handcuffs, this thing was cool. It felt like a monster you could trust—and one your parents might not totally approve of. And that made it even better.
Released by American Greetings in 1986, My Pet Monster was one of the few plush toys explicitly aimed at boys. It later got its own cartoon series and a range of merchandise. The handcuffs snapped apart, letting you “unleash” your monster and add a little drama to playtime. For many kids, it was their first “edgy” toy.
12. Slap Bracelets
Nothing says elementary school like the sharp snap of a slap bracelet curling around your wrist. They were colorful, loud, and a little bit dangerous—a perfect recipe for schoolyard obsession. Made of a thin strip of metal covered in fabric, they were fun until they tore and exposed their sharp edge. Still, that didn’t stop anyone from wearing five at once.
Invented in 1983 and popularized by the early ‘90s, slap bracelets came in neon colors, animal prints, and even holographic designs. Some schools eventually banned them due to injuries, which only added to their mystique. They were cheap, collectible, and easy to trade with friends. For a while, your bracelet game was as important as your outfit.
13. Push Pop Candy
These weren’t just candies—they were fashion accessories with a sugary twist. Push Pops let you eat a lollipop without committing to the whole thing at once, which felt oddly sophisticated. You could uncap it, enjoy a few licks, then slide it back in like a kid-friendly cigar. It was all about the presentation.
Released in 1986, Push Pops became hugely popular in the ‘90s, especially during the era of lunchbox flexes. Flavors like blue raspberry and watermelon were top-tier currency in cafeteria trades. The plastic tube design made it feel more interactive than your average sucker. And yes, some kids saved the tubes to repurpose into secret compartments or just to chew on.
14. View-Master
Before VR headsets, there was the View-Master—a chunky plastic device that let you “travel” the world in 3D with the click of a lever. Pop in a reel and suddenly you were standing in front of the Grand Canyon or watching scenes from “The Lion King.” It felt like holding a little portal in your hands. The images were crisp, colorful, and just realistic enough to blow a kid’s mind.
Invented in 1939, the View-Master stuck around for generations thanks to its simplicity and charm. By the 1980s and ‘90s, it featured licensed content from Disney, Marvel, and even National Geographic. Kids would collect reels like baseball cards and swap them with friends. For many, it was their first taste of immersive storytelling—and it didn’t even need batteries.
