10 Fads Adults Hated but Kids Loved
Many childhood fads annoyed adults but became unforgettable parts of growing up.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 3 min read
Kids often embraced trends that parents and teachers disliked. These fads spread quickly in schools and neighborhoods, creating excitement among children. While most faded fast, they left lasting memories of childhood culture.
1. Silly Bandz
Stilfehler on Wikimedia Commons
Silly Bandz were colorful rubber bands shaped like animals, objects, and symbols. Kids wore them stacked on their wrists and traded them like collectibles. Adults disliked them because they were distracting in class and sometimes cut off circulation when worn too tightly. Despite the criticism, they became one of the biggest playground crazes.
2. Tamagotchis
Chester on Wikimedia Commons
Tamagotchis were handheld digital pets that needed constant attention. Kids loved feeding, cleaning, and playing with them throughout the day. Teachers often banned them because they interrupted lessons when the pets beeped for care. Still, many children treasured them and carried them everywhere.
3. Fidget Spinners
Habib M’henni on Wikimedia Commons
Fidget spinners became a huge craze in classrooms. Kids enjoyed spinning them during lessons or showing off tricks. Adults found them noisy, distracting, and overused. Although their popularity faded, they briefly dominated schools worldwide.
4. Pokémon Cards
Jarek Tuszyński on Wikimedia Commons
Pokémon cards were traded daily among friends, sparking excitement and competition. Many kids played the card game or simply collected their favorites. Adults disliked them because they caused arguments and sometimes theft. Some schools even banned them, which only made kids want them more.
5. Slap Bracelets
Anntinomy on Wikimedia Commons
Slap bracelets were metal bands wrapped in fabric that snapped onto wrists with a slap. Kids loved the simple, fun, and bright designs. Adults worried about sharp edges when the fabric wore out and considered them distracting. Despite safety concerns, they were one of the most iconic schoolyard trends.
6. Beyblades
Senior Airman Clayton Lenhardt on Wikimedia Commons
Beyblades were spinning battle tops that kids launched in plastic arenas. They turned playgrounds into battlegrounds as kids competed to see whose top spun the longest. Adults often complained about the noise and the arguments they caused. Still, Beyblades remained a major part of early 2000s toy culture.
7. Pogs
Nizzan Cohen on Wikimedia Commons
Pogs were small cardboard discs that kids collected and used in stacking games. The game involved hitting stacks with a slammer, hoping to win opponents’ Pogs. Adults thought they caused gambling-like behavior and led to fights. For kids, they were a cheap and exciting collectible.
8. Gel Pens
TylerDignam on Wikimedia Commons
Gel pens came in neon, glitter, and metallic colors that made school notes stand out. Kids enjoyed decorating notebooks, letters, and homework with them. Teachers disliked them because the ink often smudged and was hard to read. Still, they were one of the most popular stationery trends of the 1990s and 2000s.
9. Heelys
Dan Taylor on Wikimedia Commons
Heelys were sneakers with built-in wheels that let kids skate through malls, schools, and sidewalks. Kids loved the freedom of switching from walking to gliding instantly. Adults disliked them because they caused accidents and disrupted public spaces. Many schools and stores banned them, but kids wore them anyway.
10. Yo-Yos
XuliánConX on Wikimedia Commons
Yo-yos made big comebacks in waves, with kids learning tricks and battling to show off skills. They were cheap, portable, and endlessly entertaining. Adults often grew tired of the constant noise and broken strings. Even so, yo-yos remained a classic fad across multiple generations.