16 Forgotten ’80s Trends That Kids Today Wouldn’t Get
Many popular trends from the 1980s have faded away, and most kids today would find them unfamiliar or hard to relate to.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
The 1980s were full of unique trends that shaped the way kids dressed, played, and spent their time. From fashion choices to favorite toys, these trends created a distinct lifestyle for that generation. Today’s kids, growing up in a digital world, may not recognize or understand most of them.
1. Jelly Shoes
Museum Rotterdam on Wikimedia Commons
Jelly shoes were made from colorful plastic and were very popular among kids. They were often see-through and came in bright colors. Although they looked fun, they were not very comfortable and could make feet sweaty. These shoes are rarely seen now and are no longer part of everyday fashion.
2. Scratch and Sniff Stickers
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Kids collected stickers that released scents when scratched. These were used as rewards by teachers and were traded among classmates. Each scent matched the picture on the sticker, like grape or pizza. They still exist, but they’re no longer a major trend in schools or among kids.
3. Trapper Keepers
Yortizsoto16 on Wikimedia Commons
Trapper Keepers were colorful school binders with Velcro flaps and bold designs. Kids used them to hold folders, notebooks, and homework in one place. They were both a school tool and a fashion statement. Today, digital devices and simpler folders have taken their place.
4. Friendship Pins on Shoes
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Kids made and traded small safety pins decorated with colored beads. These were called friendship pins and were often worn on shoelaces. Each pin had a meaning, and giving one showed a special bond. This trend faded and is mostly forgotten by younger generations.
5. Slap Bracelets
Anntinomy on Wikimedia Commons
Slap bracelets were flat strips that curled around the wrist when slapped against it. They came in bright colors and patterns and were easy to collect. Schools later banned them in some places due to safety concerns. They occasionally come back, but they’re no longer a daily item for kids.
6. Playing with View-Masters
L’Ospite Inatteso on Wikimedia Commons
The View-Master was a plastic viewer used to look at reels of 3D images. Kids clicked through photos of animals, cartoons, or travel scenes. It was a fun, screen-free way to explore visuals. Modern kids are more likely to use tablets or VR headsets instead.
7. Wearing Swatch Watches
Bielbienneboy on Wikimedia Commons
Swatch watches were colorful, trendy wristwatches worn by kids and teens. Many wore more than one at a time to show off different designs. They became a fashion trend as much as a way to tell time. Today, digital watches and phones have replaced them for most young people.
8. Using Payphones
Vee Satayamas on Wikimedia Commons
Before cell phones, kids had to use payphones to call home from school or the mall. They needed coins to make a call and had to remember phone numbers. Payphones were found on street corners and in schools. Most kids today have never used one and may not know how they work.
9. Making Mix Tapes
j bizzie on Wikimedia Commons
Creating a mix tape meant recording favorite songs onto a cassette from the radio or another tape. Kids spent hours picking the right songs and arranging them in a certain order. These tapes were shared with friends or kept for personal listening. Now, playlists are made instantly on streaming platforms.
10. Wearing Acid-Wash Jeans
Abroe23 on Wikimedia Commons
Acid-wash jeans were light-colored denim pants with a faded, patchy look. They were often paired with high-top sneakers and oversized shirts. This style was extremely popular in the late 1980s. While fashion changes over time, this specific look is no longer common.
11. Watching Saturday Morning Cartoons
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Cartoons only aired on TV during specific times, especially Saturday mornings. Kids woke up early to watch their favorite shows with cereal in hand. There were no streaming options, so if you missed a show, you had to wait a week. Now, kids can watch anything at any time online.
12. Collecting Garbage Pail Kids Cards
Fortepan on Wikimedia Commons
These were trading cards featuring odd or gross cartoon characters with funny names. Some schools banned them, but kids still traded them secretly. They were seen as a parody of Cabbage Patch Kids dolls. Most kids today don’t know about them, and they are mainly collectibles now.
13. Listening to Music on a Walkman
Dillan Payne on Wikimedia Commons
The Walkman was a small portable cassette player with headphones. Kids used it to listen to music on the go using AA batteries and cassette tapes. You had to rewind or fast-forward to find songs. Phones and music apps have now completely replaced this way of listening.
14. Collecting Lisa Frank Supplies
RF Vila on Wikimedia Commons
Lisa Frank school supplies had bright, neon designs with animals, rainbows, and stars. Kids collected folders, stickers, and pencil cases with these prints. The bold colors were a big trend, especially among younger kids. These items are rare now, and few children use them today.
15. Recording TV Shows on VHS
Jacek Halicki on Wikimedia Commons
If you wanted to rewatch a TV show, you had to record it using a VCR and a blank VHS tape. Kids labeled their tapes and stored them like personal libraries. It took planning to set up the recording and avoid missing part of the show. With streaming, recording shows this way is no longer needed.
16. Owning a Pogo Ball
Santeri Viinamäki on Wikimedia Commons
A Pogo Ball was a plastic ball sandwiched between two flat foot platforms. Kids stood on it and bounced around for fun and balance practice. It was used mostly outdoors and required practice to use well. The toy has disappeared from most stores and playgrounds.