1. Pet Rocks
You wouldn’t think a rock could become a pet, right? Well, that’s exactly what happened in 1975 when Gary Dahl introduced the Pet Rock, NPR explains. It was, essentially, a smooth rock sold in a cardboard box with breathing holes, straw bedding, and a little manual on how to care for it. People went wild for this quirky concept, buying these “pets” for $3.95 each. It was marketed as a hassle-free alternative to owning a real pet. The idea was simple: no feeding, no walking, no cleaning up after it—just pure, low-maintenance companionship.
For a short time, Pet Rocks were everywhere, including in homes, offices, and even as a gag gift. At its peak, it generated over $15 million in revenue, which for a fad, is staggering. People would brag about their new “pets,” and it became one of the biggest novelties of the mid-‘70s. Of course, the novelty wore off quickly. After a few months, the rock trend was largely abandoned, leaving behind only the odd memory and the occasional sarcastic mention of “the best pet ever.”
2. Tamagotchi
The Tamagotchi was an early pioneer in the virtual pet phenomenon, WIRED reports. These tiny handheld devices, shaped like an egg with a screen, became the ultimate ‘90s gadget. The goal? Take care of a digital pet by feeding it, playing with it, and cleaning up after it. Kids across the U.S. would obsessively care for their Tamagotchi, checking in on them during school breaks, lunch, and after school. Some even got in trouble for trying to care for their Tamagotchis during class.
The demand for these toys was so intense that stores couldn’t keep them in stock. However, like many fads, it couldn’t last forever. After a few months, the novelty wore off, and Tamagotchis were slowly replaced by other toys and distractions. The device itself became a relic of the ‘90s, but it set the stage for other virtual pet trends in later years. Still, the Tamagotchi’s brief but intense moment in the spotlight makes it a memorable fad.
3. The Macarena
The Macarena isn’t just a song—it’s a full-on phenomenon that took over American dance floors in the mid-‘90s, according to the Financial Times. Originating from Spain, the song was catchy, simple, and had an easy-to-follow dance that everyone from office workers to grandmas could participate in. It took less than a year for “Macarena” by Los Del Rio to become ubiquitous. TV shows featured people doing the dance, sports events had entire stadiums participating, and even schools jumped on the trend.
But, like all viral trends, its longevity was questionable. The Macarena’s run was over before you could blink, and by the end of 1996, the song had already started to fade out of popular culture. Some people still remember the dance and maybe even pull it out at parties, but it’s mostly regarded as a kitschy relic of the ‘90s. Still, for that brief moment, it was everywhere, and its wild success cemented it as one of those fads people will never forget—whether they want to or not.
4. Beanie Babies
Everyone remembers Beanie Babies, right? These small, stuffed animals filled with plastic pellets seemed harmless enough at first, but they quickly became an obsession for millions of people, according to PEOPLE. The early ‘90s saw Ty Inc. release Beanie Babies, and they became a massive collectible craze. Kids and adults alike began snatching them up, with some rare Beanies selling for hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Some even started treating them as investment pieces, assuming they would continue to increase in value.
Of course, like most trends, the Beanie Baby market eventually collapsed. By the late ‘90s, there were so many Beanie Babies flooding the market that they no longer had the same cachet. People began to realize that not every Beanie Baby was going to turn into a fortune, and interest fizzled out. By the early 2000s, the craze had pretty much disappeared, leaving behind a sea of plush animals collecting dust in attics. But for those few years, they were everywhere, and some are still stashed away in hopes of future resale success.
5. Silly Bandz
Silly Bandz were nothing more than brightly colored rubber bands shaped like various animals, objects, and characters. They might seem innocuous now, but in the late 2000s, they became one of the hottest fads among schoolchildren, the BBC explains. Kids traded them, wore them in piles on their arms, and collected them like precious gems. In some cases, kids could even use them to show off their style—“Look at how many Silly Bandz I can fit on my wrist!”
It wasn’t long before the craze became so big that stores had trouble keeping them on the shelves. However, like many fads, it faded away as quickly as it appeared. After a few years, the Silly Bandz craze was mostly over, leaving behind only a lot of rubber bands in the shape of dinosaurs and hearts. While it wasn’t as long-lasting as some trends, it was still a peculiar chapter in the world of childhood crazes.
6. Fidget Spinners
The Fidget Spinner may seem like a modern invention, but it rose to viral status just a few years ago. Initially marketed as a tool to help people with ADHD focus, the toy quickly turned into a global obsession. Everyone—from schoolchildren to office workers—couldn’t get enough of spinning the small, plastic toys in their hands. Stores couldn’t stock them fast enough, and social media was flooded with videos of people performing tricks with their spinners.
However, after a few months of constant spinning, the novelty wore off. Teachers began banning them from classrooms, and parents grew tired of hearing the incessant spinning noise. By the end of 2017, the Fidget Spinner had become just another quirky fad, though it still occasionally resurfaces as a fun, nostalgic reminder of a time when we couldn’t stop spinning.
7. Pogs
Pogs were a simple game involving small, circular cardboard pieces that children would stack and then smash with a “slammer” to win the game. It may sound silly now, but in the 1990s, Pogs were one of the biggest trends among elementary school kids. Everyone had a collection of them, with rare designs becoming the most coveted. Kids would trade Pogs at recess, and slammers—often decorated with holographic designs—were prized possessions.
The Pogs craze was incredibly short-lived, fading away almost as quickly as it had taken off. By the late ‘90s, the hype had died down, and kids moved on to other toys. Today, Pogs are mostly remembered as a curious and brief moment in childhood play, but for a while, they were everywhere. And while they may never return in the same form, collectors still hunt for rare Pogs, giving them a small but enduring place in pop culture history.
8. Cabbage Patch Kids
Cabbage Patch Kids were among the most sought-after toys of the 1980s. These uniquely shaped, soft-bodied dolls came with their own “birth certificates” and names, and their popularity exploded after their release in 1983. People went absolutely crazy for them, lining up in stores and fighting over limited stock. The dolls became a symbol of ‘80s consumer culture and were marketed as a must-have item for children.
However, by the mid-‘80s, the craze had begun to subside. Though Cabbage Patch Kids didn’t completely vanish, they didn’t maintain their status as a must-have toy for long. Today, they are remembered as one of the classic fads of the ‘80s, often as a cautionary tale about the dangers of toy hysteria. Still, their brief but intense popularity remains a part of pop culture history.
9. Klondike Bars
The Klondike Bar had been around since the 1920s, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that it became a full-fledged fad. The key to its brief popularity was its catchy advertising slogan: “What would you do for a Klondike Bar?” The jingle was simple, but the questions it posed sparked a wave of conversations, and soon, everyone was asking each other what lengths they’d go to for one of these frozen treats.
Sales of Klondike Bars spiked during this time, and the brand seemed to dominate the ice cream section of grocery stores. But, as quickly as the trend had risen, it fell back into the background. By the 1980s, it had transitioned into a regular product, no longer a craze but just another option in the frozen food aisle. Still, for a few years, it was one of the most talked-about products around.
10. Disco
The disco era was a fleeting moment of musical and cultural dominance. It wasn’t just a genre of music, but a lifestyle—full of nightclubs, glittering outfits, and dance floors packed with people grooving to hits like “Stayin’ Alive.” Disco fever took over the U.S. in the late ‘70s, and everyone from young adults to celebrities could be seen sporting bell-bottoms and shiny shirts, ready to hit the nearest club.
However, by 1979, disco’s popularity plummeted. The “Disco Sucks” movement, partly sparked by the infamous “Disco Demolition Night” at a Chicago White Sox game, contributed to the backlash. The genre quickly faded from mainstream popularity, and by the early ‘80s, the disco era was essentially over. Still, disco has left a lasting impact on music and pop culture, and its brief reign is fondly remembered by some as a bold and colorful moment in history.
11. Floppy Disks
Floppy disks were once the ultimate storage device for your computer files. In the early days of personal computing, you couldn’t go far without seeing these square, plastic-coated disks. People used them to store everything from work files to computer games. At their peak in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, floppy disks were ubiquitous, filling desks, drawers, and storage boxes across the world.
However, as technology advanced, floppy disks quickly became obsolete. CDs, DVDs, and later USB drives offered more storage space and faster transfer speeds. By the late ‘90s, floppy disks had all but disappeared from use, replaced by more efficient means of data storage. The floppy disk’s decline marked the rapid evolution of technology, but for a time, they were indispensable.
12. Hula Hoops
Hula Hoops are another example of a fad that surged and faded, yet never completely disappeared. Invented in 1958, they became a massive trend almost overnight. Everyone was hopping on the bandwagon—kids, teens, and adults alike—spinning these plastic hoops around their waists in a display of carefree fun. The simplicity of the Hula Hoop was its charm, and it was marketed as a fun form of exercise.
However, the fad was short-lived, and by the early ‘60s, interest had waned. But even as it faded from the forefront of pop culture, the Hula Hoop never fully went away. It continues to be a fun toy, and in some places, it even remains a tool for fitness. Though it may not have sustained its original cultural moment, it still holds a place in nostalgic memories of childhood.
13. Trampolines
Trampolines were initially invented in the early ‘30s but didn’t gain widespread popularity until the 1950s. Their rise coincided with the post-war boom in recreational toys, and before long, kids everywhere were bouncing on these backyard staples. With their thrilling sensation and the promise of fun, trampolines became a staple of suburban life.
But like many trends, their popularity gradually ebbed. Despite some spikes in sales, especially in the 2000s, trampolines never reached the feverish intensity of fads like Beanie Babies or Pogs. However, they never fully vanished either, and now, trampoline parks have brought the classic toy into a new era. Though it might not have been a one-year wonder, it certainly had its heyday in the mid-‘50s.
14. The Wave
You might still see it in stadiums today, but back in the ‘80s, the wave became a nationwide sensation. Originating in a 1981 baseball game between the Oakland Athletics and the New York Yankees, the wave—where fans stand up and raise their arms, then sit back down as they pass the action along to the next section—quickly spread to other sports events and even concerts. It was an exhilarating and somewhat spontaneous form of crowd participation that swept through stadiums.
Unfortunately, like most crowd-driven phenomena, the wave’s novelty started to wear thin. Within just a few years, it became more of a predictable, overused gesture than a spontaneous crowd interaction. Despite this, the wave remains a quirky part of sporting culture and an emblem of 1980s stadium entertainment. It’s still performed on occasion, but it will forever be remembered as the defining craze of that particular era.
