1980s
More than meets the eye, this action‑figure line featured robots that converted into vehicles and was supported by animated series and movies throughout the decade.
Transformers
A 1995 craze, this plush bean‑filled toy line became so popular that certain animals were resold for thousands of dollars.
Beanie Babies
Launched in 2000, this foldable aluminum ride became a sidewalk sensation, sending kids zipping around neighborhoods.
Razor Scooter
This simple spinning gadget became a schoolyard obsession in the late 2010s, marketed as both a toy and a focus aid.
Fidget Spinner
These ultra‑soft collectible characters have continued their cultural takeover in the 2020s and even expanded into buildable sets.
Squishmallows
Debuting in 1982, these soft‑bodied dolls with adoption papers sparked massive holiday shopping frenzies as parents fought to bring one home.
Cabbage Patch Kids
This handheld Nintendo system was released in 1989 and became hugely popular during the ’90s.
Game Boy
Mattel’s hit 2001 dolls, known for their oversized heads, dramatic fashion, and trademark “passion for fashion,” became a huge trend.
Bratz dolls
Known for their oversized heads and button‑black eyes, these vinyl figures launched a collecting frenzy in the 2010s, with limited “chase” variants often selling for many times their retail price.
Funko Pop!
Originally invented in 1975 but rising to global fame in 2021 thanks to TikTok and pandemic‑era stress relief, this silicone fidget toy lets you endlessly press and re‑press bubbles like reusable bubble wrap.
Pop Its
This colorful 3×3 puzzle, invented in the ’70s but exploding into a global craze in the ’80s, challenged kids and adults alike to “match all the colors.”
Rubik’s Cube
This electronic pet required constant feeding and attention — or it would “get sick.”
Tamagotchi
This 2006 handheld console introduced dual screens, touch controls, and a wildly popular game featuring virtual puppies.
Nintendo DS
These interactive eggs from 2016 captured attention by “hatching” to reveal a surprise creature that continued to react and play with kids.
Hatchimals
This collectible craze features tiny, hyper‑detailed replicas of real supermarket items—everything from cleaning sprays to cookies—each hidden inside a plastic capsule.
Mini Brands
This 1985 storytelling bear used cassette tapes to move its eyes and mouth—bringing interactive “talking toy” technology into kids’ bedrooms.
Teddy Ruxpin
These fuzzy, wide‑eyed creatures spoke their own language and became a holiday must‑have in 1998.
Furby
These stuffed animals came with secret codes that unlocked virtual versions for online play.
Webkinz
Debuting in 2010, this doll franchise was inspired by classic horror cinema and features a line set at a school for the “perfectly imperfect.”
Monster High
Released in 2020, this ninth‑generation gaming console is one of the most sought‑after tech toys of the decade, often selling out during holiday seasons
PlayStation 5
With its fantasy characters and the battle cry “I have the power!”, this toy line became a defining ’80s franchise, complete with cartoon tie‑ins and playsets.
He‑Man and the Masters of the Universe
Launched in 1996, these tiny collectible creatures came in plastic balls and sparked a global obsession.
Pokémon
First released in 1999, this spinning‑top battle toy line encouraged kids to “let it rip!” inside plastic arenas.
Beyblade
Debuting in 2009, this robotic pet line became a surprise holiday hit, scurrying around on wheels and interacting with a whole line of playsets.
ZhuZhu Pets
Once a ’90s audio‑command classic, this toy made a surprising comeback in the 2020s with a 2025 release that dropped the physical controller entirely, reinventing itself as a rhythm‑style video game for Switch, PC, Mac, and mobile.
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