15 Vintage Unicorn Toys to Revisit on International Unicorn Day

Unicorn toys have been stealing hearts and glittering shelves for decades. This list celebrates 15 actual unicorn-themed toys from the past that still spark joy. Perfect for International Unicorn Day, it’s a colorful throwback worth every memory.

1. My Little Pony – Twilight (1983)

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Twilight was one of the original unicorns from the first generation of My Little Pony. She had a lavender body, purple hair, and white star symbols on her flank. She came with a tiny plastic comb so kids could keep her hair neat. Twilight was soft, magical, and a total standout in any collection.

2. Lisa Frank Unicorn Stickers and Stationery (1990s)

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Lisa Frank made school supplies feel like a party, especially with her famous rainbow unicorns. The stickers, notebooks, and folders were bold, bright, and sparkly. They were the ultimate trade item in classrooms across the country. Having a Lisa Frank unicorn folder meant you were cool.

3. The Last Unicorn Figurines (1980s)

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Based on the 1982 animated film, these unicorn toys were sold in limited sets. They featured characters like the unicorn, Schmendrick the magician, and the Red Bull. The unicorn figure had large eyes, a soft white body, and a graceful pose. It was a favorite for movie fans and fantasy lovers.

4. Lite-Brite Unicorn Picture Refill Packs (1990s)

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Lite-Brite sets came with special design sheets, including ones with unicorns. You’d insert colored pegs into a blackboard to light up your design. Unicorn patterns were a top seller and lit up beautifully in the dark. It made bedtime feel like a mini light show.

5. Unico Plush by Sanrio (1980s)

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Unico was a small unicorn character created by Sanrio, the same company behind Hello Kitty. The plush toy featured big eyes, pink hair, and a small horn. Unico came from a Japanese manga and animated film, but the plush toys made it into Western toy stores, too. It was soft, rare, and completely adorable.

6. Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus Doll Set (2005)

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This Barbie set included a flying horse named Brietta, who was actually Barbie’s sister and turned into a pegasus. When the button was pressed, the wings lit up with a glowing pattern. The toy came with Barbie in a sparkly gown and accessories. It became a favorite among fans of Barbie’s fantasy movie era.

7. Glow-in-the-Dark Unicorn Figurines (1990s)

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These tiny plastic unicorns were often found in vending machines or toy aisles. They glowed after sitting under light and came in pastel colors like pink, blue, and green. The design was simple but magical, especially for kids who liked collecting small things. They gave off a soft glow at night, perfect for a bedroom shelf.

8. Unicorn Snow Globes (1980s–1990s)

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Unicorn-themed snow globes were sold in gift shops and toy stores everywhere. They usually featured a unicorn standing on a rainbow or cloud, surrounded by glitter. When you shook the globe, it looked like a mini magical storm. They were more decorative than playful but still loved by kids and collectors.

9. Trolls with Unicorn Horns (1990s)

Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives on Wikimedia Commons

Troll dolls were a huge trend, and unicorn-themed ones appeared during special releases. They had the usual troll body and wild hair but with a colorful unicorn horn added to the forehead. These were often part of fantasy-themed troll collections. The mix of weird and cute made them unforgettable.

10. Wooden Unicorn Rocking Horses (1980s–1990s)

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These were traditional rocking horses but with a unicorn twist. They were usually painted white with gold or silver horns and rainbow-colored saddles. They made great photo props that lasted for years. Many were handmade or bought in boutique toy stores.

11. Pound Puppies Unicorn Edition (1990s, Limited)

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Pound Puppies released a special fantasy-themed line that included a unicorn version. This unicorn had a soft horn, pastel-colored fur, and floppy ears. It was sold for a short time, making it rare today. It combined the comfort of Pound Puppies with the magic of unicorns.

12. View-Master Unicorn Adventures Reels (1990s)

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View-Master released reels featuring unicorns in fantasy lands, often under themes like “Magical Creatures” or “Fairy Tale Worlds.” You’d pop the reel in and flip through 3D images of unicorns, castles, and enchanted forests. It felt like entering another world without a screen. These reels were fun and calming to look through.

13. Rainbow Brite’s Horse – Starlite (1984)

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Starlite was Rainbow Brite’s talking horse from the animated show. While not technically a unicorn, his design often included a decorative golden forehead star that looked like a horn. The plush toy and plastic figure versions were bestsellers. Starlite was known for being proud, loyal, and very dramatic. He was just as loved as Rainbow Brite herself.  

14. Unicorn Slime Toys (2000s)

Okras on Wikimedia Commons

Sold in plastic unicorn-shaped containers, these toys were filled with sparkly slime or putty. You could open the unicorn’s head to get the slime out. It was messy, squishy, and made silly sounds. These toys were a hit at birthday parties and toy stores.  

15. McDonald’s Happy Meal Unicorn Toys (Multiple Years)

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Over the years, McDonald’s has released unicorn toys during Happy Meal promotions, especially during My Little Pony and fantasy-themed sets. Some were plastic figures, others were clip-ons or small plushies. They were colorful and easy to collect, and kids begged their parents for Happy Meals just to get one.

• Tags:
• Unicorn
• Toys
• Vintage
• Nostalgia
• collectibles