16 Fads That Lasted a Month but Everyone Remembers
This list showcases 16 fads that were extremely popular for a brief period but still remain in our minds today.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
Some trends show up fast, get huge, and disappear just as quickly. These 16 fads were everywhere for a while — at school, at home, or in stores. Even though they faded fast, they left a strong memory. You might laugh, cringe, or smile remembering them.
1. Slap Bracelets
Anntinomy on Wikimedia Commons
These colorful metal bands wrapped around your wrist with one quick snap. Kids wore them everywhere, trading styles and showing them off like trophies. Schools eventually banned them, but everyone remembers the thrill of the snap.
2. Silly Bandz
Steven Depolo on Wikimedia Commons
These stretchy bands looked like animals or shapes when not on your wrist. Everyone wanted the rare ones, and kids wore dozens at a time. The craze faded quickly, but some people still have them in old drawers.
3. Tamagotchi
Museum Rotterdam on Wikimedia Commons
This tiny digital pet needed constant care or it would “die” on the screen. Kids carried them to school and checked them between classes. After the batteries died, most were quietly forgotten.
4. Slurpee Cups
Nehrams2020 at English Wikipedia on Wikimedia Commons
Oversized Slurpee cups became collectibles that kids proudly reused. Some had cartoon characters or movie tie-ins, making them feel special. They were fun to carry around until the novelty wore off.
5. Beanie Babies
daryl_mitchell from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada on Wikimedia Commons
These small plush toys were once treated like investments. People lined up for new releases and kept them in plastic boxes. Today, most sit in storage bins collecting dust.
6. Glow-in-the-Dark Yo-Yos
Broveer on Wikimedia Commons
Yo-yos that lit up became the coolest toys on the block. They were fun to show off in the dark, especially during sleepovers or school breaks. Interest quickly faded when the string tangled one too many times.
7. Pet Rocks
ksblack99 on Wikimedia Commons
Someone put googly eyes on a rock and made it a bestseller. It was meant as a joke, but people bought into it. The fad ended almost as fast as it started.
8. Rubik’s Cube Revival
kaʁstn Disk/Cat on Wikimedia Commons
The Rubik’s Cube had a big comeback for a short time. Kids raced to solve it or gave up after a few tries. Most ended up on shelves as colorful decorations.
9. Bluetooth Beepers
cubos Internet GmbH on Wikimedia Commons
These tiny gadgets made people feel important just by clipping them on. They blinked, beeped, and sometimes connected to your phone. After smartphones took over, they quickly became outdated.
10. Pogs and Slammers
Nizzan Cohen on Wikimedia Commons
Cardboard discs turned into schoolyard currency almost overnight. Kids traded, stacked, and slammed them during recess. Then one day, no one brought them anymore.
11. Tyco Model Kits
Ozzymuppet on Wikimedia Commons
Building tiny race cars and train sets felt like the ultimate weekend project. Some were proudly displayed while others fell apart after a few runs. After a short burst of excitement, most were boxed up for good.
12. Scented Gel Pens
TylerDignam on Wikimedia Commons
These pens made notebooks smell like candy, fruit, or soda. Every note or doodle came with a sugary scent. Once the ink dried up, the trend disappeared too.
13. Butterfly Hair Clips
Kauey on Wikimedia Commons
These plastic clips flapped when you moved your head and came in every color. Kids wore several at once to match their outfits. Now, they are mostly seen in old photos and costume bins.
14. Collectible Card Game Phase
Jarek Tuszyński on Wikimedia Commons
Trading cards dominated school lunch tables for a brief but intense period. Everyone chased rare holographic cards and battled with made-up rules. Some games stuck around, but many faded fast.
15. Holographic Stickers
Wikimedia Foundation. File:Wikipedia-logo-v2-bw.svg; Derived version: Subhashish Panigrahi. on Wikimedia Commons
These shiny stickers added sparkle to notebooks, lockers, and folders. Kids hoarded them in sticker books and traded them like currency. Once the sparkle wore off, so did the hype.
16. USB Mini-Fans
Exilexi on Wikimedia Commons
These tiny fans plugged into your laptop and felt high-tech at first. They offered a tiny breeze but got annoying quickly. Most ended up in junk drawers after a week or two.