When you’re a kid, nothing really matters but what’s on the lunch menu and when you can have a sleepover with your best friend. But if you were young in the ‘90s, you had it particularly good. You grew up with some of the most iconic movies and television series to date (The Lion King, Full House, Rugrats, oh my!) and downright bizarre toys that were the coolest things since sliced bread. And with no social media or high-speed internet, the ‘90s were the last decade of pure innocence. Between the thriving pop culture and the good vibes all around, it’s hard to argue that there was a better time to be a kid. If you don’t believe that’s true, below are 25 things to convince you otherwise. And if you already agree, get ready to be hit in the feels. And for more nostalgia, check out the 100 Photos That Kids Born After 2000 Will Never Understand.
1 | You thought the most obscure toys were all that and a bag of chips.
Niall Kennedy/FlickrFor those who don’t quite remember Pogs, Gak, Floam, Furbys, Tamagotchis, Beanie Babies, or Sky Dancers by name, here’s a quick synopsis: a bunch of milk caps, super-stretchy goop, bead-filled foam, talking gremlin-like robots, digital pets, stuffed animals you thought would be worth millions, and fairies you could shoot into the air. Our parents probably thought we were all so weird. And for more throwback memories, check out the 25 Things Only Parents in the 1990s Will Remember.
2 | You were the first to see the greatest Disney movies ever made.
IMDb/Disney Enterprises, Inc.If it felt like the best Disney movies came out when you were a kid, you weren’t wrong. The ‘90s were considered the Disney Renaissance, which started with The Little Mermaid in November 1989 and ended with Tarzan in 1999. Disney released an animated musical almost every year in between, blessing us with Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, and Mulan. As if you’re not already beaming with nostalgia, Disney also issued these (non-musical) greats in the decade: The Mighty Ducks, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Cool Runnings, Hocus Pocus, A Goofy Movie, James and the Giant Peach, and The Parent Trap. The cherry on top? That was the start of Disney’s incredible run with Pixar Animation Studios, which first produced Toy Story followed by A Bug’s Life. And to see which Disney movie beat them all, we're Ranking Every Disney Animated Movie, From Worst Reviewed to Best.
3 | Your school pencil box was a treasure trove.
ABO Photography / ShutterstockAs you sported your sweet shoes and stylin’ outfits to school, your writing utensils matched how cool you felt. Your two-tone Spacemaker was basically a shrine, holding gel pens, Crayola Stampers, fruit-shaped erasers, Pencil Grips, and those Mr. Sketch scented markers that got you high before you even knew what that meant. The best part? Everything matched your Lisa Frank Trapper Keepers.
4 | You called yourself a gaming master (even if you weren’t).
ShutterstockAfter revitalizing the gaming industry with the Nintendo Entertainment System and Super Mario Bros in the 1980s, Nintendo took its successes to the next level with two creations that made everyone a hardcore gamer: The Game Boy and the N64. Who doesn’t remember crushing your friends in Super Mario Kart or getting worked up over an intense game of Donkey Kong? And who could forget the mind-blowing features of the Game Boy Color once that arrived in 1998? Needless to say, Nintendo could do no wrong back in the day. And for more fun trivia, check out these Facts That Will Overwhelm You with 1990s Nostalgia.
5 | Your motto was “Gotta Catch ‘Em All.”
Jenny Matthews / AlamyJust when everyone thought Nintendo was already ruling the world, it struck gold again in 1996, when it created Pokémon. What started as a Game Boy game became a cultural phenomenon, one that still lives on today (you know you couldn’t resist Pokémon Go). But Pokémon was especially awesome to those who were part of the first generation, because it was unlike anything kids had seen before. Along with the epic duels (and even tournaments, if you were good enough), there were holographic cards, evolving monsters, endless merchandise options, and a TV series that brought Pikachu and his pals to life. Even if you managed to catch them all, Pokémon will always hold a special place in your heart.
6 | You adored sitcom families as much as your own.
Warner Bros. Domestic Television DistributionAmong all of the fantastic shows and movies of the ‘90s, there was nothing quite like the sitcoms. It was the golden era of family-friendly shows, with programs like Full House, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Boy Meets World, Family Matters, Home Improvement, Step by Step, Everybody Loves Raymond, and Sister, Sister. Each one had a character you could relate to and grow up with, serving up valuable life lessons along the way. As if you didn’t have enough to tune into, there was also Saved by the Bell, America’s Funniest Home Videos, All That, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and Friends to cater to all audiences. No matter what you were watching or who with, you were guaranteed good, clean fun. And for more beloved series, check out the '90s TV Shows You've Completely Forgotten About.
7 | Your kicks were sick.
ShutterstockA lot of the footwear that became popular in the ‘90s catered to a younger demographic: jelly shoes, light-up sneakers, platform sandals, Floaties, and Heelys, to name a handful. Most of those styles are totally wack now, but at the time, your shoes made your school hallways seem like catwalks.
8 | You could bowl in the dark.
Joe Futrelle / FlickrFor a lot of kids, bowling felt like a sport only older people played—that is, until the lights were turned off and the lanes started glowing. In 1997, bowling alleys became the coolest places around town thanks to Cosmic Bowling. Fluorescent balls, black lights, loud music, and disco balls made it feel like you were at a kid-friendly club, especially if you were riding a Mountain Dew sugar high.
9 | You were obsessed with boy bands and girl groups.
Featureflash Photo Agency / ShutterstockPop music had quite the heyday in the late ‘90s into the early 2000s, as an abundance of boy bands and girl groups created absolute pandemonium with their good looks and catchy hooks. Were most of them completely manufactured and designed to make you fall in love? Absolutely. Did it totally work? You’re darn right it did. The songs were timeless, the dance moves flawless, and the fashion was positively iconic. Plus, it wasn’t just groups like *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, Spice Girls, and Destiny’s Child that you had plastered all over your bedroom walls—the ‘90s also gave us Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. And for more popular bands, check out the 13 Huge Concerts Every '90s Kid Was Dying to See.
10 | You thought reading was actually fun.
David Tonelson / ShutterstockBefore required reading drove you crazy, there were tons of kids book series that you couldn’t put down. You thrived off of the adventures of Junie B. Jones and The Bailey School Kids, wished you had your own version of The Magic Treehouse, felt the heebie-jeebies reading Goosebumps, found your spirit animal with Animorphs, and bared your tighty-whities pretending to be Captain Underpants.
11 | Your clothes were totally tubular.
ClassicStock / Alamy Stock PhotoAs long as you were wearing bright colors and obnoxious patterns in the ‘90s, you looked the part. But if you were a kid or preteen wearing Limited Too or dELiA*s, you were a true fashionista. It always felt like those stores knew what was up, showing us the way with the tee-under-the-tank look and the convertible pants that zip off into capris or shorts. Champion also served up some pretty fly athletic wear back in the day, and Tommy Hilfiger jeans were all the rage. And if you simply wanted to fit in, there were plenty of windbreakers and baggy jeans to go around.
12 | You drank gallons of Capri Sun.
David Tonelson / ShutterstockThough this product has been distributed in the U.S. since 1981, one browse of a '90s lunchroom proved that it was the favored drink of children everywhere. Lucky for '90s kids, the sugary goodness has prevailed into their drinking days: According to Thrillist, it serves as a great mixer for tequila, vodka, gin, Jack Daniel's, and even Fireball.
13 | You ruled the road in your Barbie car.
Amanda Smith / FlickrKids these days may be driving around in mini BMWs and Lamborghinis, but ‘90s kids were the first generation to get the driving experience long before a license was within reach. Plus, who wants a pint-sized Bentley when you could ride around in a hot pink Barbie Jeep? And for more nostalgia sent right to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
14 | You learned important life lessons while watching TV.
PBSWhen live-action shows felt too real for kids, animated programs like The Magic School Bus, Arthur, and Blue’s Clues offered plenty of entertaining tidbits that helped you grow. (Who else was stoked for mail time?) Even live-action educational series, such as Out of the Box and Zoboomafoo, were focused on making you smile. Little did you know, you were simultaneously gaining knowledge about everything from handling bullies at school to properly caring for animals.
15 | You saw renting a movie as an adventure.
ShutterstockLong before you could stream shows with the click of a button, there was much more planning that went into your family movie nights. In fact, you had to get into your mom’s minivan, drive to Blockbuster, and roam the racks until something spoke to you. But back then, renting a film wasn’t a chore—it was an experience. For many, a trip to Blockbuster was a reward, and the anticipation of finding out whether they had your movie was thrilling. And if they didn’t, picking another option involved betting on a plot summary instead of a trailer.
16 | You could Skip-It and Bop It.
AmazonChallenging your pals on the playground was taken to the extreme thanks to the Skip-It and Bop It. Though both toys were fairly simple, they each required a level of agility that felt high-stakes for a child. (You had to hop over Skip-It as it swung around your ankle; Bop It was a handheld Simon Says-like game that involved twisting and pulling parts on command.) Ask any ‘90s kid about playing Skip-It and Bop It, and you’ll either get a response filled with excitement or trauma—those timed battles were no joke!
17 | You found your magic thanks to J.K. Rowling.
ShutterstockThought we forgot about Harry Potter? As if! J.K. Rowling’s wizardly saga felt like more than a book series practically from the second that Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was published in the U.S. in 1998. Harry’s wizarding world infatuated kids around the globe, who dressed as their favorite character for Halloween (frankly, any day of the year) or lauded their preferred house. As one of the most successful movie franchises and best-selling book series in history, there’s no denying Harry Potter was a fantastic character for a kid to grow up with.
18 | Your snack time was epic.
Edgar Lee Espe / ShutterstockIf you were a kid in the ‘90s, your snacks had swag. Whether you treated your Fruit by the Foot like a yo-yo, smothered your Dunkaroos in the colorful frosting, or relished in exploding your Gushers, snack time felt like play time. GoGurt made yogurt exciting to eat, and Baby Bottle Pops created friendly competitions for who could get the most sugary powder on their candy. And lest we forget Lunchables or Oreo O’s. There were probably more child cavities than ever during this decade, but fillings were a sign of a good time.
19 | You had your all-time favorite cartoons.
Bob Daemmrich / AlamyWhether you were waking up early on Saturday morning or sprinting from the school bus to turn on the TV, there was always something good on, particularly thanks to Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network. Throughout the ‘90s, Nick created Rugrats, Doug, Rocko’s Modern Life, Hey Arnold!, The Angry Beavers, CatDog, The Wild Thornberrys, Rocket Power, and even the still-standing Spongebob Squarepants, which premiered in 1999. Meanwhile, Cartoon Network delivered Dexter’s Laboratory, Johnny Bravo, Powerpuff Girls, Ed, Edd n Eddy, Dragon Ball Z, and Sailor Moon. On top of all of that, Disney brought us Recess, and Fox gave us the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
20 | You had the hottest mixtapes at your fingertips.
Ian Francis stock / AlamyWhile pop may have reigned supreme for the younger music lovers in the ‘90s, every genre had its fair share of bangers. Thankfully, in 1998, a little 17-track compilation album called Now That’s What I Call Music! hit the U.S. to help us all get acquainted with the top songs of the year. Now is still going strong, recently releasing its 75th iteration in America (the brand has also issued several spinoffs, including Now That’s What I Call the 1990s), but they just don’t have the same significance for kids of the digital era. Now was the way to hear all of your favorite hits like “Barbie Girl,” “Closing Time,” and “All Star” in one place—on your Walkman, of course.
21 | Your idols were Mary Kate and Ashley.
AA Film Archive / AlamyIt was hard to not fall in love with Michelle Tanner on Full House, especially when she’d drop her famous quip “You got it dude!” Luckily for Michelle fans, the girls behind the character were just as amusing. In Full House’s final years, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen began an illustrious career as adorable, fun-loving twins that engaged people of all ages with their sisterly antics. Their roster of adventure-filled movies (It Takes Two, Switching Goals… need we say more?) made ‘90s kids wish their lives were as cool. But even if you weren’t solving mysteries or jetsetting to Australia, Mary Kate and Ashley sure made it fun to pretend you did.
22 | You thought the internet was amazing (even if it took 20 minutes to load).
YouTubeConsidering what’s possible on the internet now, it’s almost unimaginable that it started where it did. In 1991, though, getting real-time search results through the World Wide Web seemed like magic. Not to mention the introduction of Google in 1998, which would change our lives in a major way. (And if we only knew how innocent AIM was compared to today’s social media, but we digress). We certainly don't miss the dial-up sound or loud “You’ve got mail” alerts, but ah, do they bring back memories of a simpler time.
23 | You could snoop on your sister's calls.
ShutterstockToday, even 6-year-olds have their own iPhones and know how to text or FaceTime. However, 30 years ago, the only way to get in touch with your friends was calling and asking their dads if they were home. The problem with landlines was that sometimes you’d try to make a call when your sister was talking to her best friend about her crush—but as long as you didn’t get caught, that was the sneakiest way to get the gossip.
24 | You thought a costumed dinosaur wasn’t creepy.
YouTube/GlenPeterBarney was arguably the biggest advocate for making learning fun, using songs and dances to teach viewers about everything from exercise to friendship. Sure, Sesame Street was already doing that, but there was something magical about Barney that made him instantly feel like your best friend (even if he may have seemed a little odd to your parents). You probably couldn’t even count the amount of Barney birthday parties you attended, and you likely owned a Barney backpack, shirt, or toy. At the very least, you spent your childhood singing “I Love You” and can still recite every word to this day.
25 | You had awesome ways to accessorize.
agefotostock / AlamyAccessories offered endless ways to express yourself in the ‘90s. You could bling-out your ‘do with butterfly clips, hair bobbles, and hair wraps, or simply throw on a bandana if you weren’t having a great hair day. You constantly swapped your Ying-Yang and tattoo choker necklaces, and you could stick on earrings whether or not your ears were pierced. Sure, slap bracelets hurt your wrists and mood rings turned your fingers green, but you could care less. And for more of your favorite icons, check out The Biggest '90s TV Teen Idols, Then and Now.
