8 Crazy Collectible Toy Fads ...

By Jennifer

8 Crazy Collectible Toy Fads ...

Every couple of years, a new toy or collectible fad gets going and within days, everyone you know has one, wants one, or is selling one on eBay. They have to have one. Their KIDS have to have one. It’s hard to predict what that trend or fad will be, but if you’re more interested in looking back than looking forward to the next trend, here’s my list of 7 crazy collectible toy fads…

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1

SillyBandz

SillyBandz Photo Credit: alexa stone

I’ve been seeing bright armloads of these things, right along with the Lance Armstrong LIVE BAND bracelet. They’re brightly-colored rubber bands, sculpted into a simple shape — from cows to guitars — and no matter how you pull them, or how many times you take them on or off your wrist, they snap right back into their “shape.” I wonder how many millions of dollars people have spent on these… and where I can find a pink butterfly one…

2

Beanie Babies

Beanie Babies Photo Credit: Cvalentine

Beanie Babies were so hugely popular in the mid-1990s that when they partnered with McDonald’s to offer them as prizes in their Happy Meals, minivans lined the streets for blocks, literally, to buy the meals, then dump them in the garbage after plucking out the little plushies. No animal or insect breed was safe from being turned into a Beanie, including every type of teddy bear, sea mammal, and even dinosaur.

3

Pet Rocks

Pet Rocks This is a fad my mother distinctly remembers as “weird.” People actually BOUGHT rocks to keep as low-maintenance “pets.” Not painted rocks, or rocks with google-eyes glued on. Just plain rocks. There was an add-on craze, too… you could buy a house, clothes, and more for your Pet Rock. I’m not even kidding. Google it. My mother is right: Those early 70’s hippies were WEIRD.

4

Tickle Me Elmo

Tickle Me Elmo Photo Credit: @jessewright

This is another toy craze from the 1990s, complete with scores of moms and dads tussling over the last one at Christmas time. They were insanely popular, with an Elmo under every child’s tree… I have to admit though… he WAS pretty cute!

5

Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster

Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster Photo Credit: Obsessive Compulsive Photographer

This was the Christmas toy every kid had to have last year, and I’m wondering how they’re going to top it this year. This cute little guy was so hard to find, even eBay pickings were slim.

Famous Quotes

To give oneself earnestly to the duties due to men, and, while respecting spiritual beings, to keep aloof from them, may be called wisdom.

Confucius
6

Tamagotchi

Tamagotchi In the early 1990s, these electronic keychain devices housed endless hours of “entertainment.” They beeped when they needed food, sleep, or play… and when they needed to go potty. If you left it unattended for any length of time to, say, sleep for an hour or two, your Tamagotchi died, leaving you feeling guilty and ashamed.

7

Webkinz

Webkinz Photo Credit: Sarah Wheeler

These little plushies re sort of an update of the Beanie baby, just as cute and multi-species, but with a code you can enter online for a virtual version of our real-life bestie. They’re incredibly cute, soft, and addictive. You can buy all kinds of goodies for your Webkinz, online and real-life.

8

Cabbage Patch Kids

Cabbage Patch Kids Photo Credit: WilWheaton

These one-of-a-kind, hideously unattractive dolls were all the rage in the 1980s, the first toy I remember parents fighting over in stores. I could never understand why — even now, they’re so ugly! But little girls had to have them, since they were all unique, and could be named and adopted.

So did you have a Pet Rock, or a Cabbage Patch Kid? Or are you wearing an armload of Sillbandz right now, playing with your Tamagotchi? Or is there another crazy toy or collectible I’ve left off my list? Please let me know!

Top Photo Credit: veader

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

Good post, Jen! I know my 6 year old enjoyed looking it over! The other day in the store, we came across a big aisle full of those SillyBandz. My daughter just had to have some of them. They have everything from princess ones to animal ones. Just make sure you take them off their hands at night before they go to sleep. She also has a big collection of Zhu Zhu pets. In fact, today, for her back to school present, I just got her a new one. In the boys aisle, I see they have zhu zhu pets for boys for battling. She's also into those webkinz! I also have to add petshops to your list. Ariela has tons of those things! We love collecting them together.

troll dolls were HUGE in the 90s! i still have one with pink hair and a little pink heart shaped jewel in its tummy. and squinkies are really big right now.

i just looked up the pet rock thing and its really weird. i used to have tons of beanie babys tho =]

What about furbys?

Yeah, I had 2 tamogotchis, a hamster thing that rolled round in a ball, and more beanie babies than I knew what to do with :) I was going to get Silly Bandz, but honestly £2 for a bit of rubber? No thanks!

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