1. Tamagotchi
Back in the late ‘90s, you weren’t just a kid—you were a digital pet parent. Tamagotchis demanded constant feeding, playtime, and clean-up, and that beeping could be heard in every middle school classroom. Many were confiscated by teachers, only to “die” from neglect by the time they were returned. Today, collectors crave them for their quirky pixel charm and the rush of responsibility they gave us at age 10.
Modern versions still exist, but the original egg-shaped keychains with their neon shells and tiny black-and-white screens are the ones that go for the highest prices. Millennials hunting them down aren’t just buying a toy; they’re buying a portal back to simpler times. For many, that first pet wasn’t a puppy or kitten—it was a Tamagotchi. That emotional tie makes originals feel priceless.
2. Polly Pocket
Tiny, pastel-colored worlds hidden inside clamshell cases—Polly Pockets were nothing short of magical. Each one folded open to reveal a miniature home, school, or theme park, complete with impossibly small dolls. Kids could slip them into backpacks or even pockets, making them the ultimate portable fantasy. The fact that so many pieces went missing just adds to the thrill of finding a complete set now.
Collectors pay top dollar for mint-condition compacts, especially from the early Bluebird Toys era in the late ‘80s and ‘90s. Those little environments had a level of detail that made them unforgettable. Holding one again feels like shrinking down into a tiny, imaginative universe. For many millennials, they’re a tactile reminder of hours spent on bedroom floors creating whole worlds.
3. Beanie Babies
Once upon a time, Beanie Babies weren’t just plush toys—they were investments. Parents and kids lined up at Hallmark stores to snag the latest “retired” release, hoping it would fund a college education someday. While most didn’t skyrocket in value, a few rare ones still fetch big money. For millennials, though, it’s not about the return—it’s about reliving the hype.
There’s something comforting about their floppy bodies and cute, bean-filled weight. Every kid had a “favorite” Beanie, and trading them at recess felt like Wall Street for eight-year-olds. Collectors today hunt for rare tags or limited editions, but even common ones can stir up deep nostalgia. Owning them again feels like reclaiming a piece of childhood wonder.
4. Skip-It
Few toys were as simple yet addictive as the Skip-It. Strap it to your ankle, spin it around, and jump—suddenly you had your own personal fitness challenge. The counter model that tracked skips was especially popular, making it almost competitive among friends. It was exercise disguised as fun, and kids couldn’t get enough.
Today, finding one in good shape is like striking gold. The colorful plastic and rhythmic sound of it clacking across the driveway are etched in memory. Millennials look back fondly on summer afternoons spent mastering their Skip-It form. Owning one again is like holding a ticket back to carefree outdoor play.
5. Lite-Brite
Before iPads, Lite-Brite was the ultimate screen experience. Kids poked colorful pegs into black paper, flipping on the light to reveal glowing designs. It was part art project, part nightlight, and endlessly entertaining. Every creation felt like a masterpiece, even if it was just a glowing stick figure.
Collectors adore the original sets for their nostalgic packaging and chunky pegs. Modern versions exist, but they lack the same tactile satisfaction. Millennials chasing down originals are really chasing that moment when the switch flipped and the board came alive. It was the kind of simple magic that screens today rarely deliver.
6. Furby
When Furby first hit shelves in 1998, it was equal parts adorable and terrifying. The animatronic owl-like creature “learned” language and responded to touch, making it feel eerily alive. Some kids adored them, while others hid them in closets when the blinking eyes wouldn’t stop. Either way, they became a holiday craze almost overnight.
Collectors now seek out those quirky, wide-eyed originals, especially in rare colors or special editions. Their clunky robotics may seem primitive, but that’s part of the charm. Millennials remember the thrill of coaxing Furbish words into English—or the horror of hearing them chatter at 2 a.m. Owning one today is like embracing the weirder side of childhood nostalgia.
7. Game Boy Color
If you were a kid in the late ‘90s, you probably begged for a Game Boy Color. Suddenly, Pokémon battles and Zelda quests weren’t just in black and white—they were vibrant and portable. Long car rides, sleepovers, and recess were forever changed. It was a rite of passage into gaming independence.
Original Game Boy Colors with working screens and intact battery covers are now collector favorites. The translucent “Atomic Purple” shell is especially iconic. For millennials, these devices hold not just games, but memories of trading link cables and swapping cartridges with friends. Reowning one is like holding the very start of modern handheld gaming.
8. Pogs
For a brief but blazing moment in the mid-’90s, playgrounds everywhere revolved around Pogs. The cardboard discs with flashy designs were stacked, slammed with a “slammer,” and won or lost in heated matches. The thrill of flipping over an entire stack in one move was unmatched. It was more than a game—it was a schoolyard economy.
Today, complete collections and rare slammers are hot items for nostalgia hunters. The graphics, from holographic skulls to cartoon tie-ins, capture the ‘90s aesthetic perfectly. For millennials, rediscovering Pogs isn’t just about the game—it’s about remembering the social rituals around it. It was trading, bragging, and bonding all wrapped in a two-inch circle.
9. Easy-Bake Oven
There was nothing quite like “baking” a tiny cake with nothing but a lightbulb. Easy-Bake Ovens made kids feel like culinary geniuses, even if the results were more chewy than delicious. Half the fun was the independence—no parents needed. For many millennials, it was the first taste of cooking freedom.
Collectors seek out the retro pastel models from the ‘80s and ‘90s, complete with original mixes if they’re lucky. The nostalgia isn’t about the food, but the experience of waiting impatiently for a miniature cake to emerge. Holding one again stirs memories of baking for siblings, friends, or even stuffed animals. It’s a sugary slice of childhood worth paying for.
10. Stretch Armstrong
The muscled action figure that stretched to impossible lengths was a staple of many toy bins. Kids twisted, pulled, and knotted him into all kinds of shapes, amazed he snapped back into form. Sometimes he leaked goo after too much roughhousing, but that only added to the legend. Stretch Armstrong wasn’t just a toy—he was a stress test for curiosity.
Vintage Stretch Armstrongs are rare, since many didn’t survive intact. Finding one today feels like rescuing a relic of playful destruction. Millennials chasing one down aren’t just looking for a figure—they’re looking for the memory of testing limits with friends. He’s a symbol of the experimental side of childhood play.
11. Cabbage Patch Kids
Adopted, not bought—that was the magic of Cabbage Patch Kids. Each doll came with its own birth certificate and unique look, making every child feel like they had something special. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, parents scrambled during holiday seasons to snag one. For many millennials, these dolls were the first introduction to nurturing play.
Collectors today pay for mint-in-box dolls or those tied to specific production years. Their chubby cheeks and yarn hair are unmistakable. Millennials often want one that mirrors the doll they grew up with, right down to eye color and outfit. Owning one again feels like reuniting with a childhood friend.
12. Super Soakers
Few summer toys sparked as many backyard battles as the Super Soaker. With brightly colored tanks and powerful pumps, they turned water fights into all-out wars. Kids compared models, with the biggest tanks earning instant bragging rights. No sprinkler or hose could compete.
Collectors now seek out early models like the Super Soaker 50 or 100. The neon designs and chunky plastic scream ‘90s fun. For millennials, rediscovering a Super Soaker is like unlocking memories of sticky popsicle summers and endless outdoor play. Owning one again feels like gearing up for battle with childhood best friends.
13. Talkboy
Thanks to “Home Alone 2,” every kid wanted a Talkboy. The handheld tape recorder with a microphone let you record your voice and play it back at different speeds. It wasn’t just fun—it was mischief waiting to happen. Kids used it to prank siblings, make fake radio shows, or feel like amateur spies.
Original Talkboys are especially prized now, since they weren’t made for very long. The clunky gray design with its fold-out mic is instantly recognizable. For millennials, it represents that magical mix of toy and tech before smartphones took over. Reowning one feels like stepping into Kevin McCallister’s shoes.
14. My Little Pony (’80s and ’90s editions)
Long before the “Brony” movement, My Little Pony was a pastel dream for kids who loved collecting. Each pony came with colorful manes, unique cutie marks, and often a brush for endless grooming. Playtime meant creating whole adventures, sometimes mixing ponies with other toy worlds. They weren’t just toys—they were characters in ongoing childhood sagas.
Collectors today pay premiums for ponies from the first few generations, especially rare colors or special releases. The soft plastic scent and shiny hair trigger instant nostalgia. For millennials, they represent a gentle, imaginative kind of playtime. Bringing them back isn’t about toys—it’s about rekindling stories they once created.
This post 14 Nostalgic Toys Millennials Will Pay Premiums to Own Again was first published on Greenhouse Black.
