Hold On to Those Nerf Balls: Snakkle Looks Back at Some of the Hottest Toys of the Past 40 Years!
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Nerf Balls, 1970
The scientific name for this famous orange material is Non-Expanding Recreational Foam (NERF). In 1970, the Monkees proclaimed that the balls couldn't hurt anything, and verified this by monkeying around indoors.
Nerf, Today
Nerf was a (very gentle) hit right off the (squishy) bat. From foam arrows to bazookas to trademark orange footballs, Nerf is still soaring through your living room, a little too close to the lamp.
Speak & Spell, 1978
The handle. The keys. The ubiquitous primitive computer voice. After its peak in 1978, Speak & Spell became the last word in learning disguised as a toy. There was also a Speak & Math version, but you couldn't spell swears on that one, so who wanted it?
Speak & Spell, Today
Sadly, the Speak & Spell is no more. Technology has progressed beyond yellow keypads, and anyone who is anyone on the playground today has an iPad. You kids may be 4G, but you'll never have the glory of '80s robot voice!
Care Bears, 1984
In the '80s, you could measure a friend's worth by the amount of Care Bears arranged on their bed. Like most popular toys in this era, Care Bears had their own animated television show and even a few movies. They were originally introduced in 1981 as characters on American Greetings cards, along with sweet sister Strawberry Shortcake.
Care Bears, Today
Care Bears made a comeback 2007, starring in a new TV show and movie and appearing on lots of ironic baby tees on twentysomethings. This spongy gal is called a Care Bear "Splish Splasher" and is advertised as beach- and bath-friendly, something the old ones were not. Sadly. As we found out the hard way as kids.
Cabbage Patch Kids, 1985
Introduced in the late '70s, these little orphans became a hot Christmas item in the mid-1980s. If you were a kid back then, chances are you were regaled with the harrowing tale of how your mom elbowed someone in the face for the very last one.
Cabbage Patch Kids, Today
It's amazing what a good straightening iron and an A-line dress can do, am I right? These days, kids from the Cabbage Patch come sans yarn hair and giant bloomers and have more modern accessories.
Super Soaker, 1990
Possibly the greatest invention in the world at the time, Super Soakers introduced the water-balloon generation to a much less labor-intensive way of drenching someone. It was pure glory—until those last few pumps before the tank ran out! Of course, it didn't hurt that Michael Jackson was a big fan.
Super Soaker, Today
If you think it looked menacing before, watch out for the neighborhood Super Soaker water-cannon militias forming in a city near you. Like its brother Nerf, Super Soaker has gotten bigger and badder over the years. Except you definitely shouldn't use Super Soakers inside.
My Little Pony, 1983
Girls and boys, you haven't really lived until you've brushed the nylon hair on a plastic pony. Another '80s classic, Applejack here is just one of many with the original uniquely designed hindquarters. Collect them all? You bet we did.
My Little Pony, Today
Out with the butt apples, and in with the tats and eyeliner! Although they've always had a strong cult following, My Little Ponies are experiencing something of a resurgence lately. Mainly because if you don't buy them, this purple-haired gal will come to your house and rough you up.
Nintendo Game Boy, 1991
Take a minute. You just had an 8-bit Tetris flashback, didn't you? For kids who were lucky enough to unwrap a Game Boy, life was divided into two parts: Tetris, and sleep. And then Zelda, when that came out.
Nintendo Game Boy, Today
After a few different generations (including the classic Game Boy Color, which revolutionized adolescent eyesight everywhere), Game Boy has effectively given way to the Nintendo DS. If you're not sure what that is, just go to any popular family restaurant and observe all the children engrossed in double screens at the table.
Tickle Me Elmo, 1996
Basically, the idea here was that you tickle Elmo, and he laughs. Somehow, this sparked a warrior-like instinct in parents, and toy stores were bombarded by violent customers seeking to tickle Elmo immediately—or else!
Elmo, Today
Man, Elmo is really phoning it in lately. Just kidding—he's still wildly popular among the diaper set and their parents. His latest incarnations include a rock star and this little cell phone that gets kids started early on ignoring you for text messages.
Razor Scooter, 2000
This thin, futuristic wheeled object was unlike any other scooter on the market when it came out in 1999. The Razor quickly became the "it" gift, appearing on TV shows and being given to celebrities, who undoubtedly used them to commute to work every day.
Razor Scooter, Today
The original Razor is still a popular present, but the company has branched out into stunt bikes, commuter cycles, and ride-on toys. Original Razors are especially popular with stunt skaters and bikers.
