Only 90's Kids Can Name All 35 Of These Toys
- by Russ Boswell
- – on
- in Lifestyle
If you grew up in the 1990's and had access to a television, you probably remember seeing a slew of toy ads. Kids in the modern age have access to the internet and a world of information at their fingertips but the 90s kids were all about toys and gear. With so many companies competing to create the "next big thing," we had a smorgasbord of entertaining items to choose from.
In fact, there were so many cool toys sprinkled throughout the 90s that it can be downright difficult to remember all of them. We figured we'd challenge all of you 90s kids (or 90s enthusiasts) out there by putting together a little test concerning all those popular (and sometimes cult classic) 90s playthings!
Do you think you have what it takes to score over fifty percent on this blast from the 90s past? Hop right in and see how many 90s toys you can name!
What's the name of this chatty little creature?
These talkative little fuzzballs were first introduced at the 1998 American International Toy Fair. They were licensed and sold by Tiger Electronics, who made a killing during the Christmas season. I personally owned two of these things and can attest to their constant babble and made-up discussion. Some might consider them creepy but they've been well received by children. The toy line even saw a recent revival, in 2012. These creatures found their way into 27 million homes. Surely you remember what they're called?
Can you name this fast-paced mimicing game?
Many unsuspecting 90's kids would fall victim to this incredibly addictive device. It hit store shelves in 1996 and then promptly exploded in popularity. The premise of the game was simple. You had to follow a series of audio cues and then input the correct command on the device. The first iteration of this popular toy only had three commands but later variants had as many as five. The game would move faster with each correct response. It was possible to beat the machine, but you'd have to input 250 correct commands, which was no easy feat.
What's this confectionary toy called?
You didn't have to live in the 1990's to know what this popular toy is. You can find current models of this iconic cooking electronic on modern store shelves. It's important to note that this childhood icon was actually invented back in 1963, by the Kenner Corporation. It wasn't until 1993 when Hasbro (who owns the rights after absorbing Kenner) unveiled the "current" model that it began to sell like hot cakes. Older versions used an incandescent bulb to heat confections, while new models use an actual heating element.
What's the name of these popular collectible discs?
Some toys gain popularity due to their fun and engaging design, while others are simply fads. This next item is the latter but it took the world by storm in the 1990's. These tiny cardboard discs were inspired by Milk Caps, a game which was played in Hawaii during the 1920's. These caps were revitalized under a different name and peaked in popularity by the mid 90's. McDonald's began including them in their Happy Meals and you could even receive them for opening a bank account (at certain banks). Modern "milk caps" had pop culture designs and popular characters on them.
Can you name this popular 90's flying toy?
During the Christmas season of 1994, many young girls were introduced to these fairy-like flying toys. Each set came with a winged figure and a launching pad. By tugging a pull string attached to the pad, these toys would launch into the air with their foam wings spinning like a propeller. Although they were on the market for six years, they were later recalled due to safety concerns. During their peak, the series was so popular it spawned an animated television show.
Can you name these soft pellet-filled friends?
This colorful cast of curious creatures was first developed in 1991. Ty Incorporated crafted a plush animal that "looked real because it moved." The company was referring to the flexibility that the toy offered, thanks to its plastic pellet filling. For most of the 90's, these little guys flew under the radar. In late 1990, that all changed, and these cute critters experienced a fad-based eruption in popularity. You can still find these furry friends on store shelves but they aren't nearly as coveted. During the fad's peak, collectors were tossing huge wads of cash at rare releases.
What's this needy virtual pet called?
If you grew up in the 1990's, chances are you had one of these at one point. If not, you probably knew someone from school that had one. During the peak of its popularity, kids were bringing these needy virtual pets to class, much to the chagrin of their teacher, These mini egg-shaped creatures were crafted by Aki Maita, who ended up winning an Ig Nobel Prize in Economics (for their creation). They were fun and easy to play with, but would quickly become annoying thanks to their constant need for "food" and virtual sanitation.
Can you remember what this line of miniature playsets is called?
Barbie has been Queen of the doll and playset kingdom for quite some time. Ask any child what their favorite doll is and a majority of them will shout Barbie's name. In the early 90's, a new female icon dropped on the scene and attempted to battle the beautiful Baroness for control of the playset crown. She had a very miniature stature and small playsets that placed a lot of content into one small package. These sets could be folded up and carried inside pockets and bags, making them ideal for sleepovers.
Do you remember the name of this crazy board game?
Some toys on this quiz existed long before 1990. That said, a lot of these creations are associated with the 90's since that's when they were most popular. Whether it was a revival or a remake, some toys simply resonated with 90's kids. A good example is this colorful board game, which existed as far back as 1963. The premise revolves around capturing your opponent's rodent-shaped piece in a miniature cage. This is done through a series of elaborate pieces, which move like a Rube Goldberg machine.
Do you remember what Nintendo called this portable console?
The early 90's were an amazing time for video games. We wouldn't have many of the amazing titles we have today without the boom of console gaming. In 1989, Nintendo attempted to grow from its Game and Watch series, by releasing an ambitious device that would allow gamers to play a variety of games no matter where they were. The original iteration of this device was popular enough but in 1995 (as part of the Play It Loud! campaign) Nintendo rolled out a series of portable players with fancy colored cases, including a rather sought after transparent version.
What's the name of this insect-based toy creator?
When it came to "making your own toys" in the 90s, this device reigned supreme. It was based on a toy originally crafted by Mattel in the 1960's. Many speculate that the original variant was discontinued due to safety concerns revolving around its heated oven. In 1992, the ToyMax company took over production of the mold-based maker and released a new over with a stricter set of safety standards. Since then, many variants have hit the market, including specialized Jurassic Park and Pokémon versions.
What were these miniature vehicles called?
Here's yet another classic example of a dated toy receiving a popularity spike. These tiny vehicles began manufacturing in 1976 and gathered a sizeable cult following. In 1990, their value exploded. This was primarily due to a cameo in the insanely popular 1990 film, Home Alone. In the movie, Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) places a pile of this minuscule motor cars at the bottom of a staircase, where they act as a slippery trap. They were discontinued in 2008 but have recently seen two revivals.
What is this magnet-based drawing pad called?
Children of the 1960's played with Etch A Sketch but 90's kids had this reusable drawing pad. The device was filled with a thick white liquid and many magnetic particles were scatted across a honeycomb design. The end result allowed children to pull the particles to the surface of the substance with a magnet-tipped pen. The eraser bar would push the particles back to the bottom. This toy was originally crafted in the 70's but received a lot of attention by 90's kids.
What name was given to these plastic construction sets?
It's safe to say that Lego has cornered the market for construction sets and interlocking building blocks. That still hasn't stopped other companies from attempting to revolutionize the construction set genre. Back in 1992, a new type of toy building material hit store shelves. These interlocking rods, gears, pieces, and wheels were aimed at older children, giving them the tools necessary to create elaborate designs and functioning machines. The company is still going strong, unveiling new items geared towards smaller children, as well as educational kits that aid teachers in the classroom.
What's this phone-based board game called?
Take the board game Clue, strip away all of the murder mystery, change the suspects to a group of picturesque teenage boys, and you've got the recipe for this electronic game. Anyone who broke this game out during their sleepover was surely the talk of the school yard. The board game was based around 24 secret admirers, each with their own unique personalities and style. By calling a number on the admirer's card, you'll receive audible clues. This game was definitely ahead of its time.
What did Sega name this portable gaming system?
In the early 1990's, there were two large video game companies jockeying for position. Nintendo and Sega had already been duking it out between the NES and Genesis when Nintendo decided to release its iconic Game Boy portable game player. Sega rose to the challenge, crafting this device soon after and touting it as technologically superior to the Game Boy. Unfortunately, a lack of third-party games and horrible battery life stunted the device's growth. The electronic failed to oust Nintendo and it was discontinued in 1997.
What are these powerful water guns called?
I spent some of my childhood in Florida, so I know a thing or two about blistering heat. Air conditioners were great and you could always take a dip in the public pool. Kids will be kids though, and sometimes, I found myself simply wanting to play outside. Thankfully, the introduction of these fancy (and powerful) air-pumped water guns let my friends and I enjoy the heat while staying cool. These colorful blasters have seen a lot of changes over the years, with some versions featuring water-filled backpacks and multiple nozzles.
Can you name this "jumpy" electronic?
This is another device that originated years before it gained massive popularity. Manufactured by Tiger Electronics and released in the early 1980's, it saw solid success thanks to commercial marketing on Nickelodeon broadcasting. The original toy was a weighted ball affixed to a plastic hoop. It wasn't until the 1990's that Tiger decided to add the electronic counter, which would allow children to see how many times they'd successfully spun the ball in a 360-degree arc. This device was so popular it was included on Time Magazine's 100 greatest toys ever.
Can you name this famous slimy Nickelodeon brand compound?
Nickelodeon hit its stride in the 1990's. During this time, their television network was flooded with amazing animation, live action hits, and some spectacularly entertaining game shows. Double Dare was arguably the most coveted of contests. This show featured a slime-like ooze that was poured on contestants and used in physical challenges. Marc Summers would later name this special ooze and Nickelodeon began to market it as a toy compound. Kids loved this special mixture, usually for its ability to "fart" when squeezed. There were many variants, including glow-in-the-dark and scented.
Do you recall the name for this widely popular card game?
This is arguably the king of all 1990's collectibles. While other fads had their 15 minutes of fame, this popular card game was busy generating massive income for Wizards of the Coast (USA Release). A lot of the 90's collectibles on this list faded into obscurity but these colorful trading cards are still being produced today. The original 90's base set is highly sought after, fetching large sums of money on websites like eBay and Amazon. The card game was so popular it even spawned a Gameboy adaptation.
Who are these tough looking sharks?
When you think about 90s heroic humanoid creatures, you most likely remember the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. These shell-backed crime fighters are some of the most iconic characters ever created, spawning an animated series, multiple movies, toy lines, comics, and tons of other merchandise. However, the 90's also saw the introduction of another rag tag group of human-like creatures. These brothers-turned-sharks had their own animated series, which spawned a series of rather awesome action figures. Most of the figures featured spring-loaded pieces which allowed them to "attack."
What were these miniature song samples called?
Tiger Electronics has been at the forefront of toy development for a long time. This particular electronic series secured them 80 million dollars, which might have grown exponentially had MP3 players not entered the market. These miniature "cassettes" featured samples of popular Pop songs. Sadly, they only featured a minute of the prominent tunes they were sampled from. Although, this didn't stop kids and adults from depleting store stocks. The original music player had earbuds but a later model allowed music to be played from a small boom box-like speaker.
What were these Troll variations called?
During the 1960's Troll dolls took the United States by storm. Originally a Danish (Thomas Dam) creation, these imaginative creatures featured tall furry hairdos, which could be combed and styled into various shapes. They became one of the United States greatest toys fads during the early 60's, keeping a cult following through the years. In 1990 they resurfaced under this name. These "new" Troll dolls came in a variety of colors and sported a fancy (plastic) gemstone on their belly.
Can you name this wacky golf game?
For most kids, having to sit through a round of traditional golf is an insanely boring affair. Thankfully, the early 1900's saw the birth of miniature golf. This scale version of the game was well received by children, thanks to an array of obstacles and colorful props. In 1990, Milton Bradley helped bring mini-golf into our homes, thanks to a creative alligator-based device. The rules are simple, you'll need to tap the ball directly into the alligator's mouth. From there, he'll flick the back with his tail and spin around, creating a "new hole" each time.
What's the name of this iconic cassette recorder?
In the modern age, we see advertising plastered all over the internet. Back in the 90's, things were a bit different. The three main players were print, radio, and visual entertainment. If you wanted your product to sell well, you had to be creative. A good example of 90's marketing gone right was Tiger Electronics' movie tie-in for this iconic cassette tape player and recorder. The voice modulating device was featured in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. The company used the success of the film to boost sales for this rather simplistic toy.
Can you name these space-like shoes?
I remember the first time I ever got a trampoline. I must have spent an entire summer out there, bouncing about, trying tricks, and sometimes just relaxing and watching the clouds. It's hard to pinpoint why but jumping is seriously entertaining when you're a kid. Nickelodeon attempted to cash in on this leaping craze by unveiling some wacky looking footwear. Developers claimed that the shoes were like mini trampolines for your feet. Unfortunately, they didn't work that well and usually made jumping even harder.
What's the name of this friendly bear that you can draw on?
Sometimes kids can do bad things. One of the most popular no-nos is drawing on the wall. In 1995, toy company Tyco attempted to curb this behavior by giving kids a friendly surface to unleash their creativity. The specialized stuffed bear came with markers and had a specialized surface that was washable (in the washing machine). This allowed children to draw all over the animal, clean it, and then start the process again. The "endless" cuddly canvases were well received by young children and teens alike.
Do you remember what these inflatable boxing gloves were called?
If you grew up in the 90's you'll most likely remember seeing this product in a commercial with a rather catchy tune. The slogan suggested that these inflatable toys were "more fun than a pillow fight" but many concerned parents disagreed. These toys were mired in controversy with many complaining of injury and the promotion of violence. To be fair, these toys aren't exactly safe, since they're mostly just "air cushions." Even boxing gloves can sting if the user hits you with a hard jab.
Who is this bendable children's doll?
It's tough to break into the doll market. In the modern age, it seems like children are only interested in Barbie and American Girl dolls. Back in the 90's, things were different. Children's toys were flooding store shelves, with new and innovative creations unveiling each month. Back then there was a rather peculiar line of dolls. These girls had noodle-shaped limbs and rubber posable hair. They came with switchable hands and feet and featured iconic things like laptops, cell phones, and roller blades. This toy line recently saw a revival in 2016.
What's the name of this adorable little robotic dog?
Okay, so this one is a little bit tricky. If you want to get technical, this robotic dog didn't release until early 2000, but that makes it the perfect toy for young kids who had grown up in the 90's. Tiger Toys crafted this adorable mutt with a variety of electronic sounds and "tricks." It's said that this particular device is what eventually led to the "robotic pet boom" of the 2000's. A lot of people simply refer to him as the Tiger Toys Robot Dog, but he actually has a proper name. What is it?
What's the name of this popular 90's Nerf ball?
The Nerf company is responsible for some of the coolest foam toys to ever hit the market. Many of you will recognize them for their popular dart blasters but the company made a killing in the early 1990s with this popular football. Its unique design allowed kids throw as "far as an NFL quarterback." The company even used famous Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway to help market the toy. It came in a variety of different colors, usually neon, to help kids see the ball as it soared through the air.
What is this Polly Pocket-like set called?
After witnessing the monumental success of the Polly Pocket toy line, designers at Big Monster Toys set out to cash in on the craze. They created their own set of pocket-sized playsets but marketed them towards young boys, since Polly Pocket was already a rousing success with young girls. In 1992, Mattel helped bring this toy to the United States. Many of the original toys featured a "horror theme," consisting of skulls and monsters. The character and toy line became so popular that they spawned an animated series and a video game.
Can you name this intelligent educational toy robot?
This electronic can be traced all the way back to 1978 but most people remember it for its 1990's revival. Tiger Electronics helped modernized this educational robot toy, giving it a sleek new design, battery power, and a cassette tape format that allowed it to spew even more facts. As time went on, specially branded tapes appeared, featuring Star Trek, the Power Rangers, and an array of super heroes. If you had an encyclopedia of trivia-based knowledge when you were a kid, you most likely had this adorable little educator.
What's the name of this board game targeted at young girls?
Here we have another perfect sleepover board game. This Truth or Dare style game was created during the teenage girl-theme fad that ravaged the 90's. This particular board game was designed for multiple players and centered around themes like boys, dancing, sleepovers, parties, and phone calls. The premise had players picking cards and obeying the rules. If they failed, they were forced to wear a zit sticker. Completing a challenge rewarded the player with a fortune card which would reveal information about future marriage, careers, children, or special moments.
Can you name this stuffed take on a popular kids game?
Sometimes the most simplistic toys are the most fun. You don't need an overly elaborate game board and insanely complex electronics to craft an enjoyable experience. The Parker Brothers knew this and cashed in on a simple variation for an already popular children's game. Commercials for this musical chairs-like tossing toy spread around television during 1996. This was the perfect game for smaller children, who hadn't yet developed the skills or patience to play some of the more in-depth "board games" on the market.