A nostalgic toy that was popular in my childhood
Nostalgic toys we played with as kids—there are a few that come to your mind too, right?
From those that are still popular and on the market to ones you hardly see anymore, there are all kinds of toys.
Some might not come to mind right away, but the moment you see them, you’ll think, “This! I used to play with this all the time!!” and be instantly transported back to childhood.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of nostalgic toys across different eras.
See if your favorite toy makes an appearance.
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Nostalgic toys that were popular when we were kids (31–40)
Kids Computer PICO
A screen you touch with a pen, and a cartridge that flips like a picture book.
Didn’t the Kids Computer PICO feel like a toy from the future and make your heart race? Learning while playing—how amazing is that! It might have been like an early predecessor to the tablets kids use today.
Do you have memories of playing with the PICO too? Do you still remember how absorbed you were back then? It was a groundbreaking toy that mixed education and entertainment.
The PICO had that curious charm where nostalgia and novelty lived side by side, didn’t it?
Sylvanian Families
Speaking of Sylvanian Families, they’re full of tiny furniture and accessories! Don’t you also have memories of playing house with family and friends? Each playset comes with its own storyline, so you can let your imagination run wild while you play.
They’re fun to collect, too, and many people still find them charming even as adults.
There was also a TV anime, which probably made the world of Sylvanian feel even more familiar.
Why not dive back into the nostalgic world of Sylvanian Families yourself?
slime
Kids have always loved it, past and present.
How about some slime? Adults may wonder what you’re supposed to do with it, but it’s a toy for enjoying the sensation of touch.
Just plopping that lurid green, gooey gel onto your hand is exciting.
Depending on the brand, some leave your hands sticky and some don’t, so I recommend looking online for slime with good reviews.
With the wrong one, things can get disastrous.
Slinky
Do you remember the Slinky? That mysterious-moving metal toy.
You can make it tumble down stairs, stretch it, and compress it.
You see it at festival stalls and even at 100-yen shops.
It looks simple, but once it gets tangled—what a hassle! It takes real effort to untangle.
But that’s part of the fun, isn’t it? I hear it’s even gaining attention in the world of performance.
From kids to adults, the Slinky is a timeless joy.
I can see why so many people still love it today.
How about picking one up and playing with it again?
Super Famicom
So nostalgic! Speaking of the Super Famicom, it really brings back childhood memories.
The vivid colors and the smoothly animated characters— it felt like the world of games suddenly expanded.
The music was rich too, with tunes you couldn’t help but hum along to.
It’s great that the titles still popular today can be enjoyed by parents and children together.
Don’t you feel like replaying those games you used to play? I’m sure that passionate excitement from back then will come rushing back.
I’d love to pass on the charm of the Super Famicom to the next generation.
Nostalgic toys that were popular in our childhood (41–50)
Tetris Jr
How about a mini Tetris you can carry as a keychain? Back then, I remember thinking it was so high-tech that you could buy a game for around 1,000 yen and carry it in your pocket.
But looking at it now, the LCD is black and white, the screen is tiny, and it’s super low-tech.
In today’s world where everyone has a smartphone, it doesn’t seem like that kind of boom will ever come back.
Digimon
The abbreviated name “Digimon” for Digital Monsters refers to a toy that enjoyed explosive popularity in the late ’90s.
On a handheld device similar to a portable game console, monsters called Digimon would appear, and you could raise them and enjoy battles.
The fun of feeding and caring for them with button inputs and evolving your monsters was exceptional! Battling with friends and exchanging data were also big highlights.
There was even a TV anime airing at the time, and it became a huge craze among children.
It still has many devoted fans today, and new games continue to be released.
You could say it’s a captivating franchise where nostalgia and novelty coexist.