12 Toys and Trading Cards Every Young Sports Fan Collected
From rare trading cards to action figures that brought sports heroes to life, these iconic collectibles fueled the passion of young fans, turning every sports season into an exciting treasure hunt.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Sports memorabilia have always been a window for young sports fans to get close to their beloved athletes and teams. From action figures that embodied the heat of games to trading cards that provided a moment of sporting history, these memorabilia became an emblem of fandom and personal achievement. Whether after rare rookie cards or showcasing legendary figures, these treasures not only ignited childhood nostalgia but also molded the future of collecting.
1. NFL Starting Lineup Action Figures
Image from Etsy
These action figures, commonly sporting top NFL players, were a part of ’90s childhood. They came with a trading card featuring the player and were a toy and collector’s item. Fans adored the intricate designs, which posed their favorite heroes in action stances, from quarterbacks to running backs.
2. Topps Baseball Cards
Image from Topps Ripped
One of the building blocks of baseball card collections, Topps has been the preeminent brand among baseball fans for decades. The cards include player statistics, photographs, and usually a few fun facts about the player. Vintage or uncommon Topps cards, such as the 1952 Mickey Mantle card, have become icons among sports memorabilia.
3. McFarlane Sports Picks Figures
Image from McFarlane Toys
McFarlane Toys changed sports figures forever with their hyper-realistic, detailed designs. Famed for depicting athletes in their signature poses, these figures are treasured among collectors for their realistic look. With a line featuring top sports such as football, basketball, and baseball, they became a hot commodity among fans.
4. Panini Prizm Basketball Cards
Image from Ubuy Philippines
The Panini Prizm series has been a global phenomenon in the basketball trading card market, particularly during the 2010s. The cards have bright colors and are cherished for their “holo” effects and parallel sets. They attracted collectors in droves, who pursued rare cards like the Prizm rookie cards of future stars like Zion Williamson and Luka Donić.
5. Hot Wheels Basketball Cars
Image from eBay.ph
A crossover like no other between sports and toy cars, these Hot Wheels sets had small cars imprinted with NBA teams. The cars would generally have a color scheme and logo-inspired design from a team. Both Hot Wheels and basketball fans discovered a great way to show their team spirit on wheels.
6. Upper Deck Hockey Cards
Image from Upper Deck Store
Upper Deck’s hockey cards became a staple for collectors, and they were celebrated for their clean photography and groundbreaking inserts, such as autographed and jersey cards. The 1990s were the heyday of these cards, with icons such as Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. The attraction was not just in the cards’ artwork but also in the hunt for more scarce, limited-run items.
7. Kenner Starting Lineup NBA Figures
Image from Collector Archive Services
These action figures enabled fans to relive their favorite NBA moments with intricately detailed, articulated figures of stars such as Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal. Released during the late ’80s and early ’90s, they became an instant must-have for basketball enthusiasts. Each figure typically included an exclusive trading card featuring the athlete.
8. Fleer Football Cards
Image from eBay.ph
Fleer’s football cards stood out with glossy finishes and dynamic designs. A staple of the ’80s and ’90s, Fleer’s sets would feature rookies, veterans, and legends in their collections and thus became collectors’ favorites. Highly sought cards, such as the 1989 Barry Sanders rookie card, remain hot commodities today.
9. G.I. Joe NFL Figures
Image from Action Figures and Collectible Toys
G.I. Joe, famously recognized for action figures, collaborated with the NFL during the ’90s to produce a football-themed series of figures. They were 3.75-inch figures with authentic football equipment and frequently accompanied by a football card, which incorporated the excitement of action figures and sports memorabilia. To many children, it was a delightful experience to fantasize about their favorite athletes in fighting poses.
10. Topps Chrome Football Cards
Image from Topps
Topps Chrome introduced a new, shiny spin on the classic football card. The chrome-like, glossy finish gave these cards an air of superiority in any collection. Extremely collectible issues like the 2000 Topps Chrome Tom Brady rookie card continue to fetch big money. Collectors loved these for their contemporary look and enduring popularity.
11. Action Packed Football Cards
Image from Beckett
Known for their distinctive embossed designs, Action Packed cards were a favorite in the late ’80s and early ’90s. These cards used a unique technology to give them a textured, 3D appearance, setting them apart from other brands. Collectors loved the way they showcased NFL players in lifelike action shots.
12. Nike Air Jordan Action Figures
Image from StockX
Nike partnered with several toy companies to produce Michael Jordan action figures, a transcendent icon in basketball and pop culture. The figures displayed Jordan in flight during signature dunks or mid-dribbling, a graphical homage to his legendary playing style. The figures and his collectible trading cards were a key component of every young sports aficionado’s collection.