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If you grew up during the 1980s, you probably remember how amazing the toys were. It was a time before electronic devices replaced kids’ entertainment. This decade gave us some of the most iconic action figures, dolls, and games known today, like Transformers, the Care Bears, My Little Pony, Speak & Spell, and so many more! We’re partnering with a toy collecting expert to take a trip down memory lane and share some of the best ‘80s toys. Let’s dive in!
Popular Toys of the 1980s
Toy collecting expert Eireann Kanzig shares that ‘80s action figures like He-Man, G.I. Joe, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were wildly popular. Other iconic and highly coveted toys from this era include the Cabbage Patch Kids, Jenga, Teddy Ruxpin, and the Rubik’s Cube.
Steps
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
References
- ↑ https://www.mentalfloss.com/fun/toys/most-valuable-transformers-toys
- ↑ https://wertoys.com/lets-talk-toys/the-history-of-heman-and-the-masters-of-the-universe-toys/
- ↑ Eireann Kanzig. Toy Collecting Expert. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://www.history.com/articles/action-figures-g-i-joe-star-wars
- ↑ https://www.sideshow.com/blog/toy-history-barbie-gi-joe
- ↑ Eireann Kanzig. Toy Collecting Expert. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://cabbagepatchkids.com/pages/our-history
- ↑ https://newsroom.hasbro.com/news-releases/news-release-details/hasbros-iconic-my-little-pony-brand-excites-new-generation-girls
- ↑ https://www.museumofplay.org/toys/my-little-pony/
- ↑ https://www.saturdaymorningsforever.com/2023/12/history-of-care-bears.html
- ↑ https://www.si.edu/object/nintendo-entertainment-system-video-game-console:nmah_1436726
- ↑ https://gamesbeat.com/25-years-of-the-game-boy-a-timeline-of-the-systems-accessories-and-games/
- ↑ https://www.cnet.com/culture/entertainment/features/teddy-ruxpin-history-disney-atari-2017-return/
- ↑ https://www.retroist.com/p/speak-and-spell
- ↑ https://creations.mattel.com/pages/barbie-1980s-big-hair-bold-dreams
- ↑ https://www.rubiks.com/history
- ↑ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/brief-history-rubiks-cube-180975911/
- ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Trivial-Pursuit
- ↑ https://www.retroist.com/p/skip-it-by-tiger-toys
- ↑ https://www.scarymommy.com/lifestyle/pound-puppies-toys-history
- ↑ https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna5479821
- ↑ https://hasbro.fandom.com/wiki/Gloworm
- ↑ https://www.vintagetoyemporium.com/post/big-trak-one-of-the-hottest-selling-toys-in-1979
- ↑ https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2049243_2048656_2049155,00.html
- ↑ https://www.museumofplay.org/toys/lite-brite/
- ↑ https://www.livenowfox.com/news/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-toys-history
- ↑ Eireann Kanzig. Toy Collecting Expert. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-colorful-history-of-r_b_10345612
- ↑ https://nationaleasybakeovenday.com/a-visual-timeline/
- ↑ https://toybook.com/et-40th-anniversary-toys/
- ↑ https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/Busy_Poppin'_Pals
- ↑ https://globaltoynews.com/2021/09/13/the-evolution-of-strawberry-shortcake/
- ↑ https://www.ghostofthedoll.co.uk/shera.php
- ↑ Eireann Kanzig. Toy Collecting Expert. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://thetoycollectorsguide.com/thundercats-1985/
- ↑ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/not-so-simple-simon-proved-young-were-swifter-than-old-180953561/
- ↑ https://theforgottentoys.com/2025/11/uncovering-smurfs-toy-history-design-impact-collectibility/?v=0b3b97fa6688
- ↑ https://www.everything80spodcast.com/the-popples/
- ↑ https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/26320/little-people-big-fun-brief-history-fisher-price-little-people
- ↑ https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/object-of-intrigue-boglins-the-greatest-monsters-youve-never-heard-of
- ↑ https://littleboardgamers.com/ghost-castle/
- ↑ https://www.retroist.com/p/remember-the-pogo-bal
- ↑ https://www.vintagetoyroom.com/review/oct2006Review.shtml
- ↑ https://etspeaksfromhome.co.uk/2016/05/mr-frosty-review.html
- ↑ https://headhuntersholosuite.fandom.com/wiki/Millennium_Falcon_(Series_1,_Kenner)
- ↑ https://serpentorslair.com/truly-outrageous-the-history-of-jem-and-the-holograms-iconic-toy-line-and-cartoon/
- ↑ https://www.teenvogue.com/story/monchhichi-fashions-newest-darling-but-its-legacy-is-much-deeper
- ↑ https://www.antiquetrader.com/collectibles/remembering-the-california-raisins
- ↑ https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2049243_2048654_2049124,00.html
- ↑ https://www.mentalfloss.com/fun/board-games/origins-of-guess-who-board-game
- ↑ https://www.museumofplay.org/toys/jenga/
- ↑ https://ripped.topps.com/garbage-pail-kids-history/

