20 Toys from Your Childhood That Could Fund Your Retirement

Toys from childhood can bring more than just nostalgia. They can also be sold for money to fund retirement.

Cyra Sanchez
November 21, 2024
6 min read

20 Toys from Your Childhood That Could Fund Your Retirement — John Bauld on Wikimedia Commons

If you’re lucky enough to keep some of your childhood toys in pristine condition, you might be able to sell some of them for a fortune. Take a look at this list of 20 toys from your childhood that could fund your retirement.

1. Super Mario 64

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The Nintendo 64 is a classic game console that many people have grown fond of, but it would be nothing without its most popular games, such as the Super Mario 64. According to the New York Times, an anonymous buyer bought a 25-year-old copy of the Super Mario 64 at an auction for $1,560,000. The cartridge was still sealed in its original packaging, keeping it in perfect condition.

2. Tamagotchis

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Tamagotchis were popular then, mainly because of their small and cute sizes. Nowadays, the rarer your Tamagotchi is, the better chances you have at selling it for a high price. It could vary between $200 and $3000. If you can auction it, you might be able to sell it even more if it’s a limited edition Tamagotchi that many collectors would want to get their hands on.

3. Hot Wheels

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About 50 years ago, Hot Wheels took over the children’s toy scene like winning a race. If you have one of the Hot Wheels from the “Original Sweet 16” collection, you’re in luck. These toys are currently worth $175,000.

4. Matchbox Cars

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Back then, you wouldn’t think so much of your miniature cars, given how little they were. But today, according to the toy car expert Neal Giordano, some of these miniature car toys could be valued at around $11,822.

5. LEGO

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If you’re one of the kids who grew up with LEGO sets, you can consider selling them for a good deal of cash. It depends on the LEGO set you’re selling; some prices may vary between $300 and $10,000.

6. Pokémon Cards

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Most people have tried playing with Pokemons at least once in their childhood; that’s why those Pokemon cards are valued for their nostalgia and rarity, as many card collectors are trying to complete their PokeDex today. That said, the Illustrator Pikachu (1998) is the most expensive card, which was sold for $5,275,000 and was bought by WWE star Logan Paul.

7. Monopoly

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This popular game teaches you how to handle money, and now you can also turn your board game into real money. Depending on the version you own, the rarity varies. The rarest Monopoly version could amount to $146,000 today.

8. Action Figurines

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Many action figurines are now expensive; a good example would be the Star Wars Boba Fett action figure, which was sold for half a million, the exact price being $525,000. This toy was originally made in 1979, this along with many other Star Wars toys could sell a lot for a fortune.

9. Easy Bake Oven

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For the kids who grew up with cooking toys, your Easy Bake Oven could be sold for $50 to $300 each. It all depends on the version you own, its rare, and the toy’s condition. If you’re lucky to run into a collector, you could push the value higher than the amounts above.

10. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

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TMNT is a popular show for kids, and that’s why their action figures were worth the craze. Nowadays, the value of your TMNT figure may vary, but the most expensive one right now is the Undercover Ralph model, which was made in 1994. The estimated price starts at $3,500, but it could be worth more if a collector offers to take it off your hands.

11. Furby

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Furbies have a unique appeal that made them lovable to kids back then. Today, Furby toys can range between $1,000 and $100,000, depending on the rarity and condition of the toy. The Bejewelled Furby is said to be the most expensive kind, so if you have one, you might consider getting its value checked.

12. Game Boy

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Different Game Boy versions could sell for various prices, the most expensive being the Golden Game Boy SP. This model had 25,000 copies made with plastic-painted gold, but legends say only seven copies were made with real, 24-karat gold. The plastic ones may be worth $600, but the rare ones with real gold can be sold for $80,000 to $95,000.

13. Barbie

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Barbies are beloved by children all over the world. The original ones may sell for a fortune, especially if they’re highly wanted by collectors. The most expensive one today is the Stefanie Canturi Barbie, which was sold for $300,000 in 2010.

14. Polly Pockets

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Collectors love Polly Pockets. Depending on your version, you can expect to sell your Polly Pocket for $300 to $15,000. As long as it’s in good condition, no items are missing, and the version you own is highly demanded, you’ll be able to fetch a fortune if you know how to negotiate with your buyers.

15. GI Joe Action Figures

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G.I. Joe is very popular for their incredible action figures. That said, the collector’s craze for G.I Joe figurines started in 2003 when the famous collector and comic book dealer Steve Geppi bought the original 12-inch Joe prototype doll for$200,000. Depending on the toy you own, you can expect some models to be sold for $660 to $5000 on average.

16. Cabbage Patch Kids

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One look at a vintage Cabbage Patch Kids doll will take you back to the old times. That said, these sweet dolls are worth around $850, depending on your model. The most expensive dolls are the “Teresa Ann” and “Little People Original,” which could sell for$1,250 to $2,000.

17. Teddy Ruxpin

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Teddy bears never go out of style, which is why the Teddy Ruxpin was a very well-loved toy in the past. This animatronic bear that reads bedtime stories could sell for $500 to $1000 or even more, depending on the version you own and the condition of the toy.

18. My Little Pony

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Colorful, cute ponies made My Little Pony popular among kids. Nowadays, MLP toys sell for $550 to $12,445. The most expensive one is the Feathermay toy, which was made in 2011.

19. Beanie Babies

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Many bears from Beanie Babies have always been rare due to their limited edition value. That’s why a complete collection could earn over $100,000 to $600,000. Depending on the bear you have, you could earn between $2,500 to $75,000 as a minimum.

20. Yu Gi Oh Cards

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Through the years, the value of Yu-Gi-Oh cards steadily remained high. For example, the Black Luster Soldier (Stainless Steel) can be sold for $10,000,000, while the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon (T3-01) could be valued at $400,000.