The 80s were a wonderful time for kids, filled with toys that could spark creativity and imagination for hours. Long before tablets and smartphones, kids had to find joy in toys that encouraged problem-solving and healthy competition. These toys translated to real-world problems and encouraged social learning. From colorful dolls to tricky puzzles, the 80s were a golden age for toys, and we’re here to share the best ones with you. Here are 17 toys from the 80s that prove kids need to ditch the screens.
1. The Rubik’s Cube
Though truly invented in 1974, its global popularity skyrocketed in the 80s, making it one of the most iconic toys of the decade.
2. Fisher-Price Little People
In 1985, Fisher-Price reintroduced its popular little people line with figures that had more detail. These lifelike characters became a favorite for preschool-age children.
3. He-Man Action Figures
These action figures, based on the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe TV series, became one of the most successful toys of the decade.
4. G.I. Joe
Though initially introduced in the 60s, GI Joe action figures underwent a major redesign in the 80s. The redesign shrank the figures into smaller 3.75-inch versions that became staples for kids in the 80s.
5. Micro Machines
Micro Machines became a huge craze in 1987. These miniature vehicles provided endless possibilities for children’s imagination with tiny vehicles and elaborate playsets.
6. My Little Pony
Introduced in 1983 by Hasbro, these little ponies captured the hearts of kids everywhere. The brightly colored ponies encouraged creative role-playing.
7. Rubik’s Snake
The Rubik’s family grew in 1981. The Rubik’s Snake or the Twist was a 24-piece puzzle that could be twisted and turned into various shapes, offering endless possibilities for creative play.
8. Strawberry Shortcake Dolls
Who doesn’t love a toy that smells good? These adorable dolls became a mainstay in so many houses in the 80s.
9. Transformers
These toys, introduced in 1984 by Hasbro, became a cultural phenomenon. Their ability to change from robots to vehicles sparked the interest of countless children.
10. Speak And Spell
This educational toy helped kids with spelling and grammar by combining fun sound effects with learning. This toy was a favorite among parents and children alike.
11. Lego Sets
Legos saw a major shift in the 1980s. They went from being simple building blocks to becoming well-thought sets like space, pirates, and castle sets. The introduction of these new sets became a cornerstone of many childhoods.
12. Pogo Balls
This amazing creation was released in 1988, which was a combination of a ball and a platform. Kids would place their feet on the platform and bounce up and down for what seemed like an eternity while trying to maintain their balance.
13. Hot Wheels Race Tracks
While Hot Wheels had been around since the 60s, in the 80s we saw the introduction of elaborate race tracks, which you could build yourself to have twists, turns, and jumps. Kids could create fun racetracks with their friends and compete to see who was the ultimate racer.
14. Pound Puppies
Pound puppies were plush animals that could be adopted by kids, quickly becoming one of the most popular stuffed animals of the decade.
15. Battle Beasts
Who remembers Battle Beasts? They were tiny, collectible animal figures with elemental symbols. Kids could battle them and collect their favorite characters.
16. Teddy Ruxpin
Teddy was a revolutionary animatronic bear who told stories through cassette tapes. This captivated children with its lifelike movements and could teach them skills through the cassette tapes.
17. Popples
Popples were an instant hit. These colorful toys could form into a ball, giving kids a two-in-one toy, a cuddly friend, and a ball you could toss.
