20 Random Things from the 90s That Instantly Bring Back Memories
These nostalgic 90s relics will transport you back to the good old days.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
The ’90s were a special time filled with unforgettable trends, toys, and technology. From the satisfying click of a VHS tape to the frustration of dial-up internet, these little things made up an entire childhood. Here are 20 random things from the ’90s that will instantly make you feel like a kid again.
1. Dial-Up Internet
Frunze103 on Wikimedia Commons
The screeching sound of dial-up connecting was the soundtrack to every internet session. Waiting forever for a single webpage to load felt like an eternity.
2. Tamagotchis
Wolfgang Stief on Wikimedia Commosn
These digital pets were the ultimate responsibility test for the ’90s kids. If you forgot to feed them or clean up their pixelated poop, they’d die—sometimes in the middle of class.
3. Blockbuster Video
Broiledcorn on Wikimedia Commons
Friday nights weren’t complete without a trip to Blockbuster. The excitement of browsing VHS tapes, hoping your favorite movie wasn’t already rented out, was unmatched.
4. Beanie Babies
Ty Inc on Wikimedia Commons
People actually thought these stuffed animals would make them rich one day. Whether the tags were on or played with them like regular toys, everyone had at least a few.
5. CD Walkmans
k.e.’s kloset on Wikimedia Commons
Portable CD players were cool until you moved too much, and the music started skipping. Trying to fit one in your pocket was impossible, but we carried them everywhere anyway.
6. Lisa Frank Everything
exousiavampira on Flickr
If you didn’t own a Lisa Frank folder, were you even a ’90s kid? Her neon-colored, glittery designs covered school supplies, backpacks, and even lunch boxes.
7. AOL Instant Messenger (AIM)
Brendan Dolan-Gavitt on Flickr
Away messages were basically early social media status updates. Everyone had a cringy screen name like “XxCoolDude99xX” or “LilPrincess27.”
8. Slap Bracelets
Will Rinehart on Wikimedia Commons
They were fun, colorful, and slightly dangerous. Slapping one onto your wrist felt oddly satisfying, even if it left a red mark.
9. The Macarena
John Sherwell on Wikimedia Commons
Every school dance, wedding, and birthday party played this song. Whether you knew the moves or just followed along, it was impossible to escape.
10. Pogs
Emre Turkan on Unsplash
Cardboard discs became the hottest playground currency overnight. Collecting rare slammers felt like owning gold, and trading them was serious business. Then, one day, they just disappeared from existence.
11. Clear Electronics
Nogolem on Wikimedia Commons
If they were see-through, they would be automatically cooler. Game Boys, landline phones, and even school supplies had that futuristic, transparent look. For some reason, knowing the inner workings of a device made it 10 times better.
12. Goosebumps Books
William Tung on Wikimedia Commons
R.L. Stine made sure an entire generation had nightmares. The eerie covers alone were enough to send chills down your spine.
13. Floppy Disks
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By today’s standards, these outdated storage devices would barely have enough space for a single photo. Still, we used them for school projects, computer games, and saving random files.
14. Skip-It
Saskatoon Public Library on WIkimedia Commons
There is one simple goal: swing it around your ankle and jump over it without tripping. It was a fun way to burn energy until you smacked yourself in the shin.
15. Snackwell’s Fat-Free Cookies
Josh Sorenson on Pexels
Parents bought these thinking they were a “healthy” treat. Unfortunately, they tasted like cardboard, but we ate them anyway.
16. Hit Clips
Jason Curtis on Wikimedia Commons
These tiny music players let you listen to one short song clip at a time. Owning a collection of them made you feel like a DJ, even though the sound quality was awful.
17. The Oregon Trail
MECC on Wikimedia Commons
This game was the highlight of every school computer lab session. No matter how hard you tried, someone in your wagon always died of dysentery.
18. Moon Shoes
Crystal Calderon on Flickr
Bouncing around in these mini-trampolines strapped to your feet sounded amazing. In reality, they were ankle-breaking death traps.
19. Water Ring Toss Game
53x3 on Flickr
These simple handheld water games were ridiculously frustrating. No matter how many times you pressed the button, the little rings refused to land on the pegs.
20. The Y2K Panic
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As the year 2000 approached, people genuinely feared that computers would crash and the world would end. Stockpiling canned goods and bottled water became a trend.