We’ve all had those weeks.
The kind where we were supposed to be super productive, but failed miserably. Usually there’s distraction involved in the form of the black hole that is clinging children, a dirty house and everything else. This time, I was actually ready to hit a huge workload at full force. But we stumbled on a few hiccups in the form of a tidal wave of technical difficulties along the way. To the point of making me want to give up and watch my DVR of Parenthood, while I munched on Doritos and Chocolate simultaneously. In a quilt. In my pajamas. With bed head. It was that bad.
So in honor of all things fun Friday, here’s a little bit of an escape down memory lane while we dive into left field for a rando topic for all of you. What can I say? Sometimes it happens.
I was thinking lately, is it just me, or were the 80’s a bit more rampant in the form of trends? Kids were all, ‘I must have that Cabbage Patch Dooooolllll! Git it fer me, Diddy!’ And people were all, beating each other down for the last Teddy Ruxpin in the aisle of Toys R Us. I think people still (unfortunately) beat each other down, but (thankfully) Al Gore invented the internet. And the toys just aren’t that amazing anymore. With the exception of a few, it’s something lame like a nanobot communicator raptar with a bazillion self imploding pieces inspired by some weird foreign cartoon that are enough to drive me borderline insane when I step on it for the twentieth time in the dark, and question my very existence as a giant mass produced nightmare toy enabler.
So today, all run on sentences aside, I thought I’d talk about a few 80’s toys that I loved as a child. An ode to simpler times. I guess you could say we’ve had a nostalgic week here at The Handmade Home. Yes, I realize some have made a weird, funky, modern day comeback, but they’re just not the same as the good, old fashioned, lead paint, choking hazard days of yore. Comparing decades are like comparing playgrounds. We were forced to risk tetanus and second degree burns to slide down a two story tall roller coaster. Today, slides are no higher than 5 feet, and are coated in layers of padded plastic, with rubber padding underneath. Broken arms and serious burns…these are the things nostalgia are made of. So without further ado, a trip down memory lane.
1. Did everyone else have this cash register? I ran across one of these in our church classroom a few Sundays ago, and it was a flood of memories. My kids have one now, and it’s all depressing…wanting you to swipe your credit card with a calculator and a microphone. It even plays music from Sienfield when you open the register. It’s just not the same.
2. Charm necklaces. Oh my word. Please make a comeback. Do you hear me, people in charge of toy trends? I would buy charms at every turn for Emerson. Oh the memories of those things and the weight of it on my neck! They pinched and scratched but they were worth every moment. And let’s not even get started on glitter bracelets, coil bracelets, jelly bracelets, slap bracelets, and while we’re at it, glitter batons. It was all about the bling. Let’s bring them back. Some of these are still in, they’re just not all over the place. I want to see schools ban them and people freak out. Because I would.
3. Little people. Yes they still make these. No, they are not the same. Kicking myself for being not-selfish as a child, and donating them. Okay not really. But really. They make the perfect decor for any kid’s space today. The true vintage pieces are adorable.
4. Did anyone have these bird whistles? They were the best! And probably completely obnoxious. You can still get your hands on new ones, here.
5. Watchimals. I had this exact one. It rocked my world.
6. Sweet Secrets! You could fold them in and wear them as a necklace. Totally wore mine to school. Teachers hated toy manufacturers. They’re back, and they’re not the same.
7. What ever happened to good, old fashioned plastic lunch boxes? I had this Smurf one. And the Thermos? Why did it go extinct? Why don’t kids use them anymore? Have Capri Suns taken over the universe? Thermoses were the best part. I’m sure they leak and are totally unsanitary or something. But they were my favorite. I still remember that plasticky, bologna-and-cheese smell. Mmmmmm.
8. Carebears. (Image found here) The vintage little plastic ones. I even had the car.
9. Does this elephant look familiar? What about the entire Fisher Price Circus Train? And before that version, there was this. Now we’re talking antiques. Another great decor piece. Because this was one of my faves.
10. Simon. Next to Candy Land and Rubric’s Cubes, this was the best game of the 80’s.
11. Snugglebums. I totally forgot I had one of these. I’m now calling my children this. Is it just me, or did they make a noise when you shook them? I’m foggy and old.
12. I wasn’t always a girly girl. My older cousin totally bequeathed his He-Man toys to us when he was older. We had skeletor’s castle and everything. It was amazing.
13. Sticker albums. The real ones, in general should make a come back. I heart these as much as charm necklaces. The general kind where you purchase them, and then collect stickers. No lame barbie/coloring book themes. These guys go in the same category as all things Hello Kitty. I had this very one and I adored it. I’m desperate to find it because I know I didn’t trash it. I guess it was a precursor to graphic design, as I was fascinated with it. I would also like to see a few scratch and sniff stickers included, but only if they’re pickle flavored.
14. View Master. The ultimate classic. I know they still have these, but they were just better. Probably because I was four.
15. Glo Worms. I loved collecting the little ones. They all came in little sleeping bags?
16. I’m pretty sure my parent’s bribed me many a time with My Little Ponies. I adored and collected them. I even had the seahorse versions. I brought one to show and tell once and remember some chicks going all Mean Girls on the others and telling us we couldn’t come into their fort on the playground if our MLP wasn’t a unicorn with wings. They got all discriminatory and stuff. I’m pretty sure I went all, equal rights on them. And then punched them in the throat and took their jelly bracelets. Let’s make T-shirts.
Honorable mentions : Baby Strawberry Shortcake – she blew strawberry kisses and bonus round: it’s the chick from Poltergeist in the commercial! The Get Along Gang and let’s not forget the epically banned Garbage Pail Kids. A parent’s worst nightmare.
So what were some of your favorites? Please do tell!
Happy distracted, left field, thought train derailment Friday, everyone!
You’re welcome. ;}
stephany says
I remember all of these!
I was born in 1975 and have started collecting some of the vintage toys from my youth. It’s a great excuse to go thrifting!
Thanks for sharing!
ashley @ the handmade home says
That’s true! I’ve always got my eyes peeled for some Fisher Price love!
DaNelle says
You forgot pound puppies! Haha, otherwise I love this list!
DaNelle recently posted…How to stick to ANY diet plan
ashley @ the handmade home says
Well, duh! I thought pound puppies were a given. ;} I LOVED those things. Stuffed animals were my weakness. And I hate them in my kids rooms because of the clutter! ;}
JP says
I LOVED ALL OF THESE. Thank you for the welcome distraction today! Amazing.
Betsy C says
AAAHHH! Charm necklaces. I LOVED those things. I wish I had one. And watchimals. My sister had the same awesome one you did. I had the stupid, plain brown bear one. Blah. What else did I love? Hmm. I loved me a Popple and of course, Rainbow Brite.
ashley @ the handmade home says
I had a rainbow brite with the horse. I loved the star on his head because it was all crinkly and sparkly. You can watch the old cartoons on netflix for wii. I’m all, Hey kids. Let’s watch these! So I can. ;}
Betsy C says
I do the same thing with Jem and SheRa or is it Shera or She Ra…whatev!
Tiffany says
YES–1, 2, 7, and She-Ra!!! And I want that elephant now.
Jenette says
I LOVE seeing all of this together! Brings back so many memories! A few months ago I found my sticker books from when I was little and the scratch and sniff stickers still smelled awesome! Why don’t they make those anymore?! My mom kept a huge trunk full of all our little people from when we were young and has brought them out for my kids (3 & 5) to play with this summer. They love them too! =)
Marci Warren-Elmer says
I love the cash register. I had that exact same one…. I believe it is still at my parents house. I also had the Strawberry Shortcake that blew the kisses. 30 something years later the kisses still smell like strawberries. I have no idea what sort of toxic mess lives in that doll.
ashley @ the handmade home says
HAHAHA so true! Mine does, too! Hysterical.
Jen says
Oooh thanks for the trip down memory lane! My favorite were little people. We would take the vans and put them on our feet for roller skates! I recently bought a big box of them at a garage sale.. For $20 for my kids. They love them and even have a ferris wheel and merry go round. And they are adorable! Sweet old fashioned toys without batteries!
ashley @ the handmade home says
What an amazing find! Wow.
Jen says
Yes! The sweet lady wanted them to go to a home where kids would play with them, not resold for alot of $.
Niki says
I am an 80’s child (born 1980) and I played with all of these toys! One of my favorite games was Mall Madness. As an only child I always had to play it by myself!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Oh, how I LOVED Mall Madness! It was the BEST!
Jessica @ Dear Emmeline says
umm yes!! anyone besides me love that their little babies all swaddled up at the hospital reminded them of a glow bug!
Jenni says
Ha ha ha, I laughed so hard about the toy cash register that plays the Seinfeld theme. We have that toy too and everytime my preschooler turns it off, I can’t help but glance at the TV to see if Seinfeld is on.
I had all those toys and I also loved those slinky bracelets that would tangle after 5 seconds and I loved Weeble Wobbles and Rainbow Brite and Punky Brewster.
Thanks!
Rhonda says
I remember all those too! GREAT LIST!
My girls play with my husband’s cash register! Have you looked closely at that thing? On the back is NO LIE a picture of a TREE WITH MONEY GROWING ON IT! Love me some Fisher Price, but that could be what’s wrong with our generation’s lack of saving and the collapse of the economy. Just kidding of course, but we did get a big laugh because of that tree when we first saw the toy again.
ashley @ the handmade home says
haha! How about Mall Madness? It was one of my faves, and it was all, charge it, suckas! ;}
Laree @ Ever Heard of Euless says
Do you remember Popples? I LOVED those. And pound puppies, and Rainbow bright!
Audra says
I love popples too! Those things were the best to play with…and throw at siblings!! Ahhhhh, the good ol’ 80’s!
emma t says
Oh yes, Care bears (my mum had to sit through the care bear movie at the cinema with me!), Rainbow Bright doll, my brother had Skeletor which we loved. As for My little pony – I had the grooming parlour, 4 big horses, one plush one (which was quite hideous) and a little baby cotton Candy. Plus I managed to save the tokens to get a free baby one. Fab! Nowadays token collect things are rubbish! (I also loved ‘Choose your own adventure books’ free with tokens from Weetabix, although I always used to cheat the endings.
Skooks says
Choose Your Own Adventure books were THE BEST! I would read them multiple times choosing all different scenarios til I found the story I liked best. Awesome.
Jenni says
Just came from my mom’s where she still has the cash register and all the Little People stuff. I laughed about the commenter saying the Strawberry Shortcake could have been toxic–my old Strawberry Shortcake dolls have these plastic pets that seem to be disintegrating, but the hair still smells amazing! I keep holding out for my girls to get excited about all those stickers and albums I couldn’t part with so long ago. Haven’t thought about those charm necklaces in years, but this is one things my girls are LOVING. Their Nana gave them one from Nordstrom’s, but we found the same ones at Children’s Place (for probably less)! The charms are smaller than the kind we had but have easy clasps so they can be changed around. Thanks for such a fun post!
Jeanette says
My sister and I were reminiscing about charm necklaces just the other day, we too wish they would make a comeback (and be as affordable as they were when we were kids!). I remember so many happy hours with my friends comparing and swapping charms. There were so many fun ones! And forget the kids, I want one for ME! Of course it could have something to do with the fact that I have all boys and I dont think they would appreciate them as much :0p
Jessica says
My kids play with that exact cash register, because my mom saved it! It’s crazy seeing them play with my toys.
Pine Tree Home says
I totally forgot about the charm bracelets and when I just spied them I did a double take. Oh such good memories. Totally want those back.
Jenn/Rook No. 17 says
So many of my favorites! I had that cash register and spent my childhood happily ringing up many “sales” on it!
I still have all of my Little People and my Viewmaster and reels. My kids still play with the Little People (even though they’re 7 and 11). Recently, I brought my Viewmasters and reels to picnic at the park. The kids thought that they were just about the neatest things EVER!
Jenn says
I had almost every single one of these. In fact, Little Man stores “special” legos in my old plastic garfield lunchbox. I didn’t save the thermos. š And I STILL have my charm necklace…which got so long and heavy, I wore it as a belt. Sweet. My girls love it. Wish those would make a comeback! Thanks for a trip down memory lane.
Carrie says
I played with Little People things (except I always just called it “playing Fisher Price”) for.eh.ver. I love Simon, too. Don’t forget about Lite Brites (I loved mine!) and Cabbage Patch Dolls, and My Buddy/Kid Sister. I always get the “My Buddy” song in my head when I call one of my boys “buddy”.
You have a great site, by the way. I love your style. I reeeeally want to close in our back porch and do stripes now that I saw yours. Thanks for all of the inspiration!
angie says
i love fisher price oldies! i have found that popping into estate sales always yields great results. Bless those dear grandparents hearts that held onto their grandkids toys!
Kelsey says
Polly Pockets and pogs? I was born in 89, so I’m not sure I count š
keri says
i work for a toy company that makes some of the toys listed here….but i need to add my favorites…
the real littlest pet shop toys. the chokable ones. especially the hampster habitrail.
polly pockets. not the big ones. again, the chokable version.
the doll that her skirt folded and she had a hat and it all folded up to look like a cupcake.
popples, pound puppies, rainbow brite – all the ones with tv shows, we didn’t really have cable (or maybe my parents just told us we didn’t?) so everything on VHS.
puppy surprise. the stuffed animal with the plastic face, and you had no idea how many “puppies” she had until you got her, and opened her velcro pocket on her stomach. I remember the girls going “mean girls” on that – because mine only had three puppies. laaaaame. she had 5, and told me that you have to look at how “fat” it is to figure out how many are stuffed in there.
water baby. i had that. she felt like a real baby, until the water got cold, and then it got moldy inside.
and what about the doll with the stamps and stapler and stuff? basically a desk stuffed in a doll? SALLY SECRETS.
fashion plates.
skip it.
ohhhhh i could keep going….
Cristin Malone says
LOVE this! As I was reading the post and the comments, I started remembering all kinds of toys that I had completely forgotten existed. Here are some that I thought of:
– Playmobil dollhouse (still have this exact one at my parent’s house)
http://www.collectobil.com/catalogue/items/5300.htm
– Heart Family
http://www.ebay.com/itm/The-Heart-Family-Grandma-Grandpa-Heart-Set-1985-NRFB-/160882893032?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25755e20e8
– Maple Town
http://mapletown.tripod.com/toys.html
– Pee Wee’s Playhouse
– Maxi Barbie dolls
– Baby Uh-Oh
– Girl Talk board game
– Speak and Spell
-Snoopy Snow Cone maker
– Lil Miss Dress Up doll
– Roller racers
Shelley says
I still have all of my carebears, Mr. Freeze, the cloud sweeper man, and the cloud mobile. My 4 year old little girl now plays with them! LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the charm necklace! Thanks so much for the memories!
Valerie Malone says
Do NOT click on this link until you’re ready to waste a few hours: http://www.facebook.com/imremembering
You’re welcome. š Love your blog, it’s my new fav way to procrastinate.
-Val
Amber says
Anyone else remember the huggabunch? š
Tiffany says
Don’t forget jem. Rockstar st night and business women by day….