17 Toy Commercials from the ’80s You Can Still Hear in Your Head

These ’80s toy commercials didn’t just sell you stuff, but they moved into your brain and never left.

Sophia Zapanta
April 22, 2025
5 min read

17 Toy Commercials from the ’80s You Can Still Hear in Your Head — cottonbro studio on Pexels

Some jingles weren’t just catchy—they were tattooed onto your childhood memory. These ads had more drama than a soap opera and better hooks than a top 40 hit. Even now, decades later, you can still hum them without missing a beat.

1. My Buddy & Kid Sister

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These were real dolls made by Hasbro in the 1980s. The commercial featured the memorable jingle “My Buddy, My Buddy, wherever I go, he goes.” The idea was to promote a doll specifically for boys, which was new at the time. Many still easily remember the song.

2. Lite-Brite

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Lite-Brite was first sold by Hasbro in the late 1960s but was heavily advertised in the ’80s. The commercial featured the line “Lite-Brite, making things with light.” Children placed colored pegs into a light board to create glowing images, making it look magical.

3. G.I. Joe

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G.I. Joe was relaunched in the ’80s with an animated series and action figures. The commercials always ended with “G.I. Joe, a real American hero.” They showed explosive action scenes using the toys. The music and voiceover were dramatic and intense.

4. Barbie Dreamhouse

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Barbie Dreamhouse was a real playset that appeared in many ’80s commercials. The ads featured girls playing with Barbie in her large pink home. The music was light and cheerful to match the brand’s tone. Barbie always had the dream life.

5. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

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He-Man toys were released with a cartoon that doubled as a long commercial. Every ad included He-Man shouting, “I have the power.” The toys were shown in epic battles with Skeletor. The voice-overs made every play moment feel legendary.

6. Teddy Ruxpin

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Teddy Ruxpin was a talking bear released in 1985 by Worlds of Wonder. The commercial showed the bear reading stories and moving his mouth in sync. It was considered high-tech for its time. The soft tone and storytelling focus made the ad unforgettable.

7. Transformers

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Transformers were launched in 1984 with the famous slogan “More than meets the eye.” The commercials featured dramatic toy battles mixed with animation. The voiceovers and music gave the toys a larger-than-life feel. They helped build the Transformers brand into a franchise.

8. Popples

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Popples were soft toys that folded into themselves to form a ball. Their commercials aired throughout the ’80s and leaned into the pop sound effect. The jingle and bright visuals made it a fun and quirky ad. The toy’s gimmick was simple but catchy.

9. Cabbage Patch Kids

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Cabbage Patch Kids were one of the biggest toy crazes of the ’80s. The ads showed kids adopting dolls with birth certificates. The tone was emotional and gentle. The dolls were marketed as unique and lovable companions.

10. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

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The Ninja Turtles action figures was launched in the late ’80s alongside the cartoon. The commercials were high-energy and packed with sound effects and pizza references. Each character had their moment on screen. The ads captured the fun, chaotic world of the Turtles.

11. Skip-It

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Skip-It was a real toy from the late 1980s. The commercial featured the jingle and showed kids spinning it around their ankles. It included a built-in counter that tracked your skips. The ad made it look like non-stop fun and exercise.

12. Pound Puppies

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Pound Puppies were plush dogs that came with adoption papers. The commercials were soft and emotional, encouraging kids to “rescue” their puppy. The jingle was sweet and gentle, aiming to create a caring bond with the toy.

13. Koosh Ball

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Koosh Balls were rubbery toys launched in 1987. The commercials had upbeat music and bright visuals. They showed kids tossing the ball and squeezing it for fun. The simplicity was part of the appeal.

14. View-Master

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View-Master had updated reels and commercials in the ’80s. Ads featured kids flipping through 3D images of cartoons and nature scenes. The tone was imaginative and a bit mysterious. It made the product feel like a personal adventure viewer.

15. Micro Machines

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Micro Machines were tiny cars known for their fast-paced ads. John Moschitta Jr., a fast-talking actor, narrated the commercials. His rapid-fire delivery became the brand’s trademark. The ads were energetic and unforgettable.

16. Speak & Spell

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Speak & Spell was an educational toy from Texas Instruments. The commercials showed it as a futuristic spelling assistant. It spoke words and corrected mistakes in a robotic voice. The ad tone was part learning tool, part fun.

17. Slinky

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Slinky was already decades old, but commercials were still airing in the 1980s. The jingle “It’s Slinky, it’s Slinky” played in nearly every version. Ads showed the toy walking down stairs in slow motion. The song is still known today.