16 Things You Thought Were Expensive as a Kid
Here's a nostalgic look at all the everyday items we swore were luxury goods when we were little.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Childhood had a way of making simple things seem priceless. Kids often assumed a lot of everyday products cost a fortune. Looking back now, it’s funny to realize how wrong we were about what truly counted as “expensive.”
1. Name-Brand Cereal
Phil Aicken on Unsplash
That colorful box of Lucky Charms or Cocoa Puffs felt like gold. Store-brand versions just didn’t feel the same. As a kid, it seemed like a major splurge.
2. Lunchables
Shelley on Flickr
The little trays with crackers, cheese, and tiny desserts looked like luxury dining. Having one in your lunchbox felt like a flex.
3. Gumball Machine Toys
Ekaterina Belinskaya on Pexels
Dropping a quarter in and getting a plastic prize felt like winning the lottery. The tiny toys seemed high-value back then.
4. Vending Machine Sodas
Victoriano Izquierdo on Unsplash
That cold can rolling down felt like the height of convenience. It seemed way pricier than grabbing one from the fridge at home.
5. Going to the Movies
Jake Hills on Unsplash
From the giant popcorn to the tickets themselves, the theater felt like the ultimate luxury outing. As kids, we thought it was a once-in-a-while treat because it was so “expensive.”
6. Pizza Delivery
Daniel on Unsplash
Having pizza show up at your door seemed like a big deal. Kids assumed it cost way more than cooking at home. It was the ultimate “fancy dinner.”
7. Fast Food Happy Meals
Aranami on Flickr
The combination of a toy, fries, and a burger felt like a premium experience. The bright box made it seem more than just food.
8. Movie Rental Stores
Coasterlover1994 on Wikimedia Commons
Walking through Blockbuster and picking out a VHS or DVD felt like an extravagant purchase. Those plastic cases looked valuable on the shelf.
9. Batteries
Roberto Sorin on Unsplash
Every toy seemed to need them, and adults acted like they were a huge deal. That made kids think they cost a fortune.
10. Branded Sneakers
Jeff Tumale on Unsplash
Seeing someone with Jordans or Nikes felt like spotting royalty. To kids, those shoes seemed worth hundreds. The hype made them feel unattainable.
11. School Book Fairs
Biswarup Ganguly on Wikimedia Commons
The glossy catalogs and display shelves made everything look like treasure. Even pencils and posters seemed too pricey.
12. Birthday Party Goody Bags
Aninge Fetzer on Unsplash
Getting a bag of candy and small toys felt like receiving a high-value gift. Kids assumed parents spent tons on them.
13. Amusement Park Tickets
Thomas Stadler on Unsplash
The wristbands or paper tickets felt like a golden key. Kids thought the entry cost a fortune. The rides and games made it feel priceless.
14. Arcade Tokens
Matt & Chris Pua on Unsplash
Clinking a handful of tokens felt like holding real money. Playing even a few games felt like you were spending big.
15. The Ice Cream Truck
Juan Domenech on Unsplash
Chasing down the truck and picking a popsicle felt like a luxury splurge. Kids assumed each treat was expensive. The catchy music just made it feel more special.
16. Branded Backpacks
FASTILY on Wikimedia Commons
Having a Jansport or a character backpack felt like showing off wealth. It seemed so much pricier than the plain versions.