17 Gadgets Kids Used in the ’80s Before the Internet Took Over

In the 1980s, children were first introduced to technology through devices that were magical, hands-on, and somehow very futuristic for their time. The dawn of home video games via the Nintendo Game Boy, the Atari 2600, and the Sega Master System created a world for children to explore. Challenges in a portable package were available in the form of handheld video games such as Simon and various video games from Tiger Electronics, ready to accompany children wherever they went. The introduction of learning technology was also subtle, as in the form of the Speak & Spell and the Tomy Tutor. Music and creativity were also very much a part of the 1980s technology scene, thanks to the Sony Walkman and the Casio SK-1 keyboard.

1. Nintendo Game Boy (1989)

The Nintendo Game Boy was one such gadget that emerged towards the end of the 1980s and became one of the most identifiable handheld devices for kids. The Nintendo Game Boy was a handheld video game console that was released by Nintendo in 1989. The handheld video game console was a gray brick that let kids take their video games anywhere. The Nintendo Game Boy was different from other video game consoles in that it was battery-powered and featured a display screen. The Nintendo Game Boy was simple in design and featured a directional pad, two red buttons for actions, and a display screen. The video game console did not offer high-quality graphics, but it was sure to keep a kid engaged.

2. Sony Walkman (Portable Cassette Player)

The Sony Walkman revolutionized the way kids and teens listened to their music during the 1980s. Although the Walkman came out as early as 1979, it reached its peak during the next decade. This small, portable cassette player let kids listen to their favorite music wherever they went. It was small enough to fit in a pocket or on a belt. Kids could listen to their favorite tunes on the small headphones provided. Music was no longer restricted to the family room or the cumbersome stereo system. Kids could listen to their favorite tunes while cycling, walking to school, or just hanging around the house. It was a thrilling experience as every kid got to have his or her own personalized music.

3. Speak & Spell Electronic Learning Toy (Texas Instruments)

The Speak & Spell was an engaging educational device for young children in the early 1980s. It was developed by Texas Instruments. This device brought together the concepts of learning and technology in a package that seemed to be “futuristic.” The device had a keyboard and a small display screen. Its most unique feature was a robotic voice that read out words. Children would listen to the word being read out and then try to spell it correctly on the keyboard. If they got it wrong, the device would give them a clue and a gentle push to get it right. Learning seemed to have become a game. Children would spend hours working on longer and more difficult words.

4. Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

The Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES for short, stole the hearts of children in the 1980s and has since become a true classic in the world of video games. Released in 1985 in North America, the console brought the fun and excitement of the arcade to the comfort of people’s homes. The flat and gray console connected to a television and various cartridges that could be swapped out to play different adventures. The user held the now-iconic rectangular controller with a D-pad and two red buttons as they navigated their characters through colorful worlds. The experience was almost magical as the characters moved across the screen through many challenges and obstacles.

5. Simon Electronic Memory Game

Simon, the electronic memory game, was one of the most recognizable kid gadgets of the era. The Simon memory game was introduced in the late 1970s, gaining popularity in the 1980s. The Simon memory game was a memory game that required the user to memorize the sequence of flashing lights and sounds. The Simon memory game was a circular device with four buttons of different colors that lit up in different patterns, each button emitting a different musical tone. The Simon memory game displayed a sequence, and the user had to replicate the sequence by pressing the buttons. The length of the sequence increased with every round, making the game increasingly difficult.

6. Polaroid Instant Camera (Polaroid OneStep)

The Polaroid OneStep instant camera was a fun way for kids to lock memories in the moment during the 1980s. Unlike a normal camera, which needed to develop the pictures, the Polaroid camera developed the pictures almost instantly. Just a simple click of the shutter, and a small square picture came out of the camera. Minutes later, the picture would begin to develop, almost as if a little magic was happening for the kids using the camera. The camera was simple enough for kids to use, so they often used it to take pictures at birthday parties, school events, and family gatherings. The fun was not only in the pictures, but the kids loved to watch the picture develop.

7. Atari 2600 Home Video Game Console

One of the most popular gaming devices for kids in the early to mid-1980s was the Atari 2600, which was one of the most influential devices of its time. It was first released in 1977, yet it remained a household favorite throughout the early 1980s. It plugged into a television set and had game cartridges that could be easily swapped for different kid-friendly adventures. It came with a simple joystick and a red button on it. Despite their lack of graphics, kids could enjoy fast-paced entertainment in their living rooms with games like Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Pitfall.

8. RadioShack TRS-80 Color Computer

The RadioShack TRS-80 Color Computer was the gateway to the world of personal computing for a generation of kids growing up in the 1980s. The computer was found in all RadioShack stores across North America. Kids were able to tinker with code and play simple games. The computer was attached to a TV set and could load software from cassette tapes or cartridges. The computer was not like today’s top-of-the-line computers. The computer had poor graphics, but all images were presented in big blocks of color. To kids growing up back then, it was like something out of a science fiction movie. Kids who typed commands into the computer felt like they were controlling a powerful machine.

9. Tiger Electronics Handheld LCD Games

Tiger Electronics’ handhelds were a playground phenomenon in the late 1980s. The small game consoles were designed to hold a single game each. The liquid crystal display on these consoles displayed pre-drawn silhouettes. The characters did not move around as they were drawn on the screen. Instead, they sat on the screen and lit up as the player pushed the buttons. Despite these drawbacks, the consoles provided fast-paced action that could be taken anywhere. Movie and cartoon tie-ins were soon added to the mix. Titles like Double Dragon, Transformers, and Ninja Gaiden brought the action of the arcade to the palm of your hand. The small consoles could be stuffed in a backpack or jacket pocket for long car rides or a quick recess during school.

10. ColecoVision Home Video Game System

The ColecoVision arrived on the scene in 1982 and quickly became one of the coolest gaming gadgets kids wanted to play with in the early ’80s. The coolest feature was the fact that the graphics were much closer to those found in an arcade cabinet than any other home system of the time. The system was simply plugged into the TV set, a cartridge inserted into the top slot, and the controller handed to the kids. The controller has a joystick, buttons on either side, and a small numeric keypad. The system looked a bit strange, but it also made kids feel like they had something cool and sophisticated. The system had some great games like Donkey Kong, Zaxxon, and Lady Bug that kids wanted to play.

11. View-Master 3D Viewer

The View-Master retained its allure for children in the 1980s, despite having arrived on the scene quite a while ago. It was a plastic device that featured round reels containing tiny photographic slides. When a child inserted a reel into the device and looked through the peepholes, the images came alive in a 3D experience. When a child moved the lever on the device, the reel rotated to the next image. In a split second, a child was transported into a colorful world filled with images from cartoons, movies, animals, or famous landmarks. The magic was in the viewer’s protection from the outside world, which drew attention to the tiny images.

12. Sega Master System

The Sega Master System was a major contender that entered the market in the mid-1980s. The Master System was launched in 1986, connecting to a television via a cartridge, much like other consoles of the time. The console was sleek, with a black plastic casing, a directional pad, and a few action buttons on the controllers. The Master System was a great option for many kids, with colorful graphics and smooth gameplay, which was a welcome change for many. The Master System’s games, such as “Alex Kidd in Miracle World,” “Fantasy Zone,” and “Out Run,” were a treat for the kids, with colorful, action-packed worlds to explore.

13. Mattel Electronic Football Handheld Game

The Mattel Electronic Football was one of the first handheld sports games that kids latched onto during the 1980s. While it was first introduced during the late 1970s, its popularity lasted through the following decade. The small, rectangular device featured a red LED screen that displayed simple dashes rather than detailed player movements. The dash represented the football runner’s movement, as defenders charged in to tackle them. The game was controlled by a directional pad that helped kids maneuver the runner across the field, avoiding the defenders. The game was simple: be the first to cross into the end zone before the glowing defenders tackled you. While it looked simple, it was exciting for kids.

14. Merlin Electronic Wizard Game

The Merlin Electronic Wizard was a futuristic toy that fascinated kids’ imaginations throughout the 1980s. The Merlin Electronic Wizard resembled a small red telephone, with its surface containing eleven glowing buttons. When a child pressed a button, it lit up and played electronic tones. The Merlin Electronic Wizard had a number of built-in games that tested the kids’ memory, strategy, and logical skills. The kids got to experiment with various musical patterns, number puzzles, code-breaking challenges, and more, which resembled a mysterious machine from a science-fiction movie. The kids got to experiment with all the features to determine which was the most interesting.

15. Casio Digital Calculator Watch

The Casio calculator watch was one of the most intriguing wearable electronic devices for kids in the 1980s. Initially, it resembled a simple electronic watch, but a closer look revealed a small keypad placed beneath the screen. This allowed users to perform simple arithmetic operations directly on their wrists, adding, subtracting, or solving simple problems using the calculator watch. Children pressed the small keys on the keypad, being careful with each press, in order to obtain results directly on their wrists. This electronic watch was a favorite among kids who enjoyed flaunting it in front of their friends, admiring its futuristic look.

16. Casio SK-1 Sampling Keyboard

The Casio SK-1 was a miniature sampling keyboard that captured kids’ imaginations during the late 1980s. Casio introduced the Casio SK-1 to the public in 1985. The sampling keyboard was a groundbreaking device that introduced kids to the idea of sampling sounds and immediately converting them into playable notes. Kids would press the sampling button, say or squeak into the mic, and then play the sounds on the keyboard. A kid’s laugh, a clap, or even a loud scream can be turned into music. The sampling keyboard was all about turning sounds into music. Kids would sample all sorts of sounds to create silly or interesting music. Some kids would even sample their voices or sounds coming from toys, their pets, or even household items.

17. Tomy Tutor Home Computer

Tomy Tutor was a learning gadget for kids that burst onto the scene in the early 1980s. The Tomy Tutor was launched in 1983, which was a learning gadget that connected to a television, used cartridges with learning programs, and had a keyboard for kids to type commands, do lessons, and talk with bright, animated characters on the screen. Unlike many computers of the era, which were for hobbyists, the Tomy Tutor was meant for kids, with a warm, inviting atmosphere. The educational programs were for spelling, mathematics, and logic, with kids experiencing a small spark of discovery with every cartridge, as every cartridge was a new learning experience for them. The colorful graphics were fun, making the lessons more of a game than a chore.

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