17 Fads That Made Parents Furious

Here's a trip down memory lane to the trends and crazes that drove parents absolutely crazy.

Chris Graciano
October 28, 2025
4 min read

17 Fads That Made Parents Furious — RDNE Stock project on Pexels

Every generation has its fads. However, some of them sparked more frustration than fun, at least for parents. From noisy toys to questionable fashion statements, these trends caused arguments at home and headaches for moms and dads everywhere. Here are 17 fads that had parents rolling their eyes and wishing they’d disappear.

1. 1. Fidget Spinners

Marketed as focus tools, fidget spinners quickly became the noisiest distraction imaginable. Kids brought them everywhere: restaurants, classrooms, even church. The constant whirring drove teachers and parents alike up the wall until they were banned from just about every school.

2. 2. Tamagotchis

These needy digital pets demanded constant feeding, cleaning, and attention. Kids would sneak them into class just to keep them “alive,” only to have them confiscated. Parents often ended up babysitting the virtual creatures themselves just to avoid meltdowns.

3. 3. Pogs

A mix of trading cards and marbles, Pogs took over playgrounds by storm. Kids played for keeps, leading to fights, tears, and tantrums over lost stacks. Parents saw them as clutter magnets and a fast track to sibling warfare.

4. 4. Beanie Babies

What started as a cute collectible craze turned into full-blown chaos. Parents camped outside toy stores for “rare” editions, convinced they’d pay for college someday. Instead, the plush animals ended up stuffed into boxes under beds.

5. 5. Pokémon Cards

These shiny little rectangles turned recess into battlegrounds. Kids traded, battled, and bragged endlessly, often sparking fights over rare holographics. Schools banned them, leaving parents to deal with the fallout and empty wallets.

6. 6. Silly Bandz

Colorful rubber bands shaped like animals looked innocent enough — until kids wore dozens up their arms. Circulation issues, classroom distractions, and constant snapping noises followed. Parents and teachers finally had enough and banned them everywhere.

7. 7. Heelys

Shoes with built-in wheels were every kid’s dream and every parent’s nightmare. Children zipped through malls and stores, crashing into displays and strangers alike. Between bruises, scuffed floors, and complaints, Heelys were quickly labeled a menace.

8. 8. Slap Bracelets

They looked fun and harmless, until they weren’t. With metal hidden inside, cheap versions tore through fabric and cut wrists. Parents banned them at home, and schools soon followed suit after a few too many “slap bracelet injuries.”

9. 9. Troll Dolls

With their wild neon hair and goofy grins, Troll Dolls seemed innocent enough. However, parents found them creepy, overpriced, and impossible to escape. Kids carried them everywhere like good luck charms, much to adult dismay.

10. 10. Hacky Sacks

These bean-filled balls were great for coordination and chaos. Games broke out in living rooms, hallways, and classrooms, usually ending with something broken. Parents couldn’t stand the constant thud of missed kicks and flying sacks.

11. 11. Mood Rings

Claiming to show your “feelings” through color changes, mood rings fascinated kids. They were nothing more than heat sensors, but that didn’t stop endless emotional analysis. Parents rolled their eyes at yet another cheap, overhyped fad.

12. 12. Laser Pointers

For a while, every kid thought they were secret agents with these tiny red lights. Unfortunately, shining them at teachers or drivers wasn’t exactly safe. Parents quickly confiscated them once the novelty turned dangerous.

13. 13. Pet Rocks

Nothing baffled parents more than paying money for literal rocks. Kids named them, cared for them, and carried them everywhere as “pets.” It was a genius marketing ploy — but a ridiculous one that made adults groan.

14. 14. Yo-Yos

Yo-yos made a big comeback in the 90s, bringing both fun and destruction. Kids practiced endlessly, tangling strings and knocking over lamps. Parents loved the skill involved — just not the noise, clutter, or broken decor.

15. 15. Puka Shell Necklaces

The ultimate symbol of middle-school cool, puka shell necklaces were everywhere. Parents thought they looked cheap and tacky, especially far from any beach. Still, kids wore them proudly like trophies of trendiness.

16. 16. Friendship Bracelets

What began as a sweet symbol of friendship turned into an obsession. Kids spent hours braiding, tying, and swapping colorful strings. Parents, meanwhile, got stuck buying endless embroidery thread and untangling the mess.

17. 17. Rubber Pencil Trick

A simple illusion, just shake a pencil fast enough, and it looks wobbly. Kids did it nonstop at home and school, laughing every time. Parents’ patience wore thin fast as the constant “wiggling” invaded every quiet moment.