Living / 3 December, 2024 / Ellie Thompson
Have yourself a merry 80s Christmas with My Baba’s very own retro 80s toys Christmas list. Get ready to take a trip down memory lane with the top 50 items most likely to feature on the Christmas lists of children from the 1980s.
Does anybody remember these?… Anybody feeling old?
80s toys remembered
Saturn Robot by Kamco
When it came to 80s toys, this was hands down my brother’s personal favourite, so it deserves to go at the top of the list.
The 13″ walking Saturn Robot by Kamco was a noisy little fella that could shoot missiles from just above his flashing red eyes while his body projected an awesome light display (well, awesome for the 1980s).
I remember experiencing mega-present envy when this bad boy robot was unwrapped and strutting his stuff on our swirly brown and yellow carpet in the living room. The stuff Christmas dreams are made of!
Fisher-Price Tape Recorder
Who could forget this classic Fisher-Price Tape Recorder?! Everybody who was anybody had one of these.
Perfectly portable to annoy every other member of the family on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and all the other days of the decade that followed after that… Shakin’ Stevens was my tape of choice. I had great taste beyond my years.
Teddy Ruxpin
Teddy Ruxpin! Pretty sure my cousin had one of these. The sad little bear that suffered from extensive spinal trauma after years of cassette tapes being crammed into his coccygeal vertebrae!
Ah, but we all loved Teddy Ruxpin, the animatronic toy with the moving mouth and eyes that “read” the stories from the accompanying tapes. He was, in fact, the best-selling toy of 1985 and 1986, and a cartoon based on the characters soon followed.
Mr Frosty
Meet Mr Frosty. The seemingly oh-so-cool slush puppy making machine that my parents never allowed me to have. In fact, did anybody ever have one of these? I think my friend Jane did. She was also allowed to eat Coco Pops for breakfast.
Year after year, it would feature on my Christmas list, and year after year, I’d rip open my presents to feel sorely disappointed that this wondrous ice-drink-making snowman would never make an appearance under my tree. I only recently found out that the magnificent Mr. Frosty could barely cut cheese, let alone ice, and comes in impressively at number one in the ‘top 10 disappointing toys of the 1980s’… (Still, I would have liked to have found that one out for myself.)
Etch A Sketch
The “Magic” Etch A Sketch screen! Don’t ask me how this works… You just draw and erase! And try really hard not to dent the screen with the pen. It seemed like complete magic at the time, but now we have iPads.
The original Care Bears
Who remembers this group of multi-coloured bears? Each with a specialised insignia on their belly to represent their duty and personality, the Care Bears were originally created to feature on greetings cards, but soon hit the big time.
There were ten original Care Bears, they had their own TV series (which I used to get up super early on a Saturday morning to watch), and they went on to make three feature films. The bears have made numerous comebacks, and I’m pleased to say they’re currently out of hibernation and stocked on shelves in toy shops all over the country. They look a lot freakier these days, but nevertheless, welcome back!
Rainbow Brite
Another collection of characters headed up by leader (and a personal favourite) Rainbow Brite, was created initially for Hallmark Cards.
If it wasn’t for Rainbow Brite the world would be in darkness, doncha know? Rainbow Brite, formerly known as Wisp, found herself in a colourless land with a mission to find the Sphere of Light. Along the way, she befriended some weird and wonderful characters to complete their quest to defeat the King of Shadows. Ah, such a complex story.
I was also the proud owner of the lunchbox and matching flask.
Boglins
The Boglins seemed to appear out of nowhere onto toyshop shelves as if put there eerily by themselves…
They were rubbery hand puppets with glow-in-the-dark tails and moveable eyes. These creepy creatures were sold in brilliant little cages that instantly appealed – to the likes of me, at least, as I had one of these as a personal pet for at least six months. There were lots of different types of Boglin, but you can imagine my immense delight when I managed to source a photo of the exact one I had as a child. Here he is below, in all his glory.
The company’s promotional slogan for the Boglins was ‘If you take us home, we’ll kiss your Aunt Martha, we’ll eat your peas, and we hope you know lots of girls.” Hmm…
Speak & Spell
Texas Instrument’s Speak & Spell. A truly legendary 80’s a toy, with an impressive but slightly freaky speech synthesiser. The Speak & Spell was in fact first introduced in 1978, making it one of the first-ever electronic devices with a visual display.
What the Speak & Spell taught me in life (besides how to spell many a complicated word, of course), was that great things really do come in little packages. In the Christmas of 1987 my 2-year-old sister had unwrapped a HUGE present, which turned out to be the ELC Cosy Coupe Car, (which, incidentally is still a hugely popular toy today), while my brother had set to work ripping Christmas wrapping paper off M.A.S.K.’s Boulder Hill (for those of you that have forgotten, Boulder Hill was an ordinary-looking gas station that transformed into the secret headquarters of the Mobile Armored Strike Kommand aka M.A.S.K = a big deal).
Both were sizeable presents, and I contemplated quite seriously at the time that surely the size of the present must equate to exactly how much my parents loved each of us (I know, so moving). Fast forward a few months, and there was me, still engrossed in my Speak & Spell, loooooong after my brother and sister had discarded their toys. I can now also spell pretty much any word going (don’t ruin my moment by checking for typos).
ELC Cosy Coupe Car
The ELC Cosy Coupe Car! As previously mentioned, this iconic toy must be celebrating its 42nd anniversary this year, which helps remind me of my own mortality.
A brilliant toy that has stood the test of time.
M.A.S.K.’s Boulder Hill
M.A.S.K.’s Boulder Hill was a huge hit with boys in the mid ’80’s. Based on the US animated television series of crime-fighting and terrorism, this innocent-looking gas station transformed into the secret headquarters of M.A.S.K.
My brother adored it for all of two weeks, at least.
Jem and the Holograms
Jem and the Holograms! Who remembers this truly outrageous cartoon girl band, with the even more outrageous rival band The Mis-Fits? This was my all-time favourite children’s TV show. I had the dolls, the story tapes and I lived for the cartoons on Saturday morning.
I could never decide which one I’d like to be most…
Sony Walkman
The Iconic Sony Walkman revolutionised the way we listen to music. Kylie and Jason volume 11, do not judge me.
Over 400 million Walkman portable music players have been sold, 200 million of which were cassette players. Unbelievably, the classic cassette tape Walkman was only retired by Sony ten years ago in 2010.
This yellow Sport Walkman was by far the coolest Walkman on the block and was bound to feature on any older kid’s Christmas list.
Oh, the fond memories of accidentally bending the thin metal headphone band out of shape to the point where it would no longer sit comfortably on the head, not to mention losing the foam ear covers…
The Glo Worm
The Glo Worm was a stuffed green worm that glowed adorably in the dark whenever it was squeezed.
The perfect nighttime companion from 1982 onwards, the success of the huggable worm launched a line of storybooks, night lights, videos and more merchandise than you could poke a stick at!
A line of hard plastic toys were released in 1986 featuring Glo Worm and a range of other bug-like characters that glowed in the dark. Everybody say, ‘ahhh!’
Micro Machines
Micro Machines
Galoob’s miniature cars or Micro Machines came in at just 1.5 inches long in an assortment of colours and models. Remember the old TV ad, with that American guy that spoke a million miles a minute? Hectic!
My Child Dolls
My Child Dolls were beautiful. The girl and boy dolls were designed by Mattel in 1985 to compete with The Cabbage Patch Kids. In my mind, those Cabbages don’t have a patch on these guys!
The My Child Doll was made from a soft velour fleece, and each had a cute button nose, but the similarities stopped there. There were so many different varieties, you’d never know which one to choose. They each come with a little booklet and certificate but were sadly only made from 1986 – 1988. Why oh WHY haven’t these made a come back?
Cabbage Patch Kids
Cabbage Patch Kids. Everybody remembers these dolls.
Ugly, yet hugely sought after, these dolls were one of the hottest toys of the 80’s. Their story began in 1978 when Xavier Roberts a young artist from the small town of Cleveland, Georgia brought to life his hand-stitched soft sculpture artworks known then as Little People. Remember the parody line of stickers, the Garbage Pail Kids? My bro wallpapered his wardrobe with them, much to my parents’ disgust!
The Cabbage Patch Kids craze is still going strong today.
A La Carte Kitchen
I am holding this toy solely responsible for the reason that to this day, I am useless in the kitchen. Bluebell’s A La Carte Kitchen, with the sink on one side, and a cooker on the other was the Rolls Royce of toys that year. Boo! I never had one! I missed the chance to start honing my domestic skills at an early age, and thanks to the absence of this toy, I’ve never really got to grips with a frying pan.
I’ll never forget that advert, you know the one – it must have terrified parents up and down the country: ‘Wake up Daddy, breakfast’s ready!’ said the girl in the ridiculously frilly silk dress at her father’s bedside with a plate of Swiss Roll and Baked Beans – that old reliable food combo.
The A La Carte Kitchen, where you’ll enjoy your five a day!
My Little Pony
What little girl doesn’t dream of having their own horse? My Little Pony, developed by Hasbro, first came on the scene in 1983.
There were six original ponies each with its own name and corresponding symbol on their hips. The popular range soon expanded to pony carrying cases and stables, castles and palaces where the ponies would live. Obviously! A new series released in 2010 propelled the ponies back into the spotlight, and they’re still going strong to this day.
Fisher-Price Roller Skates
Didn’t we all have a pair of these? Fisher-Price Rollers Skates. The ugliest adjustable skates you’ll ever see in your life, but oh my, how much fun did you have in them?
The Wuzzles
The Wuzzles! Remember the cartoon? Just about… Their names? Not so much.
The Fashion Wheel
For all those budding fashion designers out there… Introducing The Fashion Wheel! I had one of these… Sadly my career in textiles didn’t progress any further.
Fisher Price Garage
The Fisher Price Garage for the petrol heads in the family.
Space Hopper
The Space Hopper! The toy that always looked a lot more fun than it actually was.
Match Box Play Boot
There was an old lady who lived in the Match Box Play Boot. Such enticing colours.
Sindy
Sindy! The Sindy furniture… The Sindy Dolls… The Sindy Dolls’ House! Ahh… Choosing between Barbie and Sindy was a decision out of our hands. Sindy was British and more wholesome until she got her 80’s makeover, fake tan, longer legs, bigger boobs and a smaller waist, but even that was no match for Barbie.
Polly Pocket
Polly Pocket… The toy you desperately wanted, received, and never played with.
Fisher Price Record Player
The Fisher Price Record Player was perfect for playing all those classic vinyls you had back in the 80’s.
Fisher Price Medical Kit
Surely another Fisher Price item… The Medical Kit! So your dolls and teddies never flatlined.
Fisher Price Activity Centre
The Activity Centre! The height of in-cot entertainment back in the 80’s.
Fisher-Price Cash Register
Kerching! The darling old Cash Register.
Fisher Price Chatter Phone
The Chatter Phone. My parents still have our original Chatter Phone, which the grandkids love playing with. A classic 80s toy that’s stood the test of time. The best bit? It’s still available today!
Pocket Radio
Pocket Radio! What the kids did before the days of playing on their iPhones on public transport.
Fisher Price TV
The very essential Fisher Price TV. A must.
Fisher Price Puffalump
The Puffalump! A deflated soft toy filled with not enough air topped off with some strands of wool. I remember this looking better back in the day.
Pound Puppies
The Pound Puppy was the next best thing for those kids (like me) who weren’t allowed a dog.
Gummi Bears
Gummi Bears! “Dancing here and there and everywhere, we are the Gummi Bears!” The theme tune of the TV show was by far the best bit about this whole charade.
Popples
Toys I vaguely remember… Popples. Anybody? Anyone?
Mr Pop
Board games have definitely dumbed down since Mr Pop. Pie Face is so basic.
He-Man Merch
By the Power of Grayskull… Recognise this castle?
Big Yellow Tea Pot
The Big Yellow Tea Pot… Just because we all love tea.
Petite Post Office
As 80s toys go, this was my ultimate favourite, most loved and cherished gift. The Petite Post Office. Boom! I loved this toy – it gave me a lifelong love of stationery.
Thundercats
Thundercats are on the loose, Thundercats are loose! The Thundercats Lair. Enter, if you dare!
Turtles Technodrome
The Turtles Technodrome… Typical boys’ toy!
She-Ra
She-Ra! Oh yeah! This was where girl power for me began. Oh, and then there was He-Man.
Galoob’s Sweet Secrets
Galoob’s Sweet Secrets… Ahh… Starting to realise I was quite a spoilt kid owning most of these toys! (Besides the A La Carte Kitchen and Mr Frosty, obvs)
Keypers
Keypers… Ah yes. Another one for the girlie girls.
Monchichi
Monchichi – to me, this is more like the 70s, but I think they made a comeback in the 80s. Does anyone have one of these?
Fisher Price Jack-in-the-Box
Super creepy.
And to think, all these iconic 80s toys arrived thanks to the trusty White Arrow Express straight from the catalogue. Have yourself a very merry 80s Christmas!
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