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There was a lot to love about growing up in the 80s and 90s.
For one thing, cable news was just in its infancy too.
And maybe because there was no internet, it seemed like there was just less of everything, which gave us a lot of shared cultural touchstones to feed the nostalgia monster.
So without further ado, here are 16 things for those of us over-30s to bond over.
1. Perfection
Quite possibly the raison d’être for all modern therapy offices today.
The Game That Causes Crippling Anxiety.#Perfection #BoardGames #BoardGame #GameNight #Games #Game #Anxiety #PanicAttack pic.twitter.com/cs8WmVYgKr
— 80sThen80sNow (@80sThen80sNow) February 15, 2021
2. Snackwells desserts
Quite possibly the raison d’être for the modern gym industry?
Like this tweet if #SnackWells were a staple of your childhood. pic.twitter.com/MqLmG743Jb
— Claire (@ClairesUniverse) March 7, 2021
3. Computer speakers
Through which you could enjoy the snap-crackle-and-pop before your dial-up tones started.
I see your 90’s PC speakers and I present to you the 90’s computer speakers that oddly hooked onto the side of a computer monitor like a pair of ears.
byu/kevincreeperpants innostalgia
4. Weird art supplies
I don’t actually remember these, but I 100% know I wanted one, because I wanted them all.
The Rainbow Art Sponge Set commercial
byu/believeinthebazinga innostalgia
5. Friendship knot bracelets
I may have just realized the origin of my obsession with crafting gifts for people.
We make things like your basic friendship knot bracelets #5dollars pic.twitter.com/yTiiR7yY
— SilverWearJewelry (@silverwearjewel) October 19, 2012
6. Gymnastics Barbie
“She moves like you!” – Well… not like me, because I was never that flexible.
But who among us did not want to be Dominique Moceanu long after we were too old to play with Barbies?
7. Library checkout cards
It was like a weird form of spying on people.
Learning the secrets of what they liked to read.
8. Eyewitness books
These are amazing, and they’re still around.
And they’re definitely on my library checkout card.
9. Weird cartoons
Yeah, but which one of you didn’t just go, “Oh wow, I remember Snorks”?
I am a couple years older than you but I loved the Snorks when I was young. Looooved. I had a couple plush ones and loved them! pic.twitter.com/K3EK6FriXt
— AJ James (@aslanenlisted) May 18, 2021
10. Fashion plates
I didn’t have any, but I definitely played with them.
We really loved doing crayon rubbings in the 90s, didn’t we?
@News8Daybreak My favorite toy was fashion plates #IAmUp pic.twitter.com/kmwo3CHQp6
— Amy (@lostlilsputnik) October 2, 2019
11. Madeline
Honestly, I loved Madeline, but it did cement my fear of getting appendicitis.
But did you know she wasn’t French?!
So in the children's book #Madeline is not an orphan, not French. Okay #Madeline is pulling a Hello Kitty #notacat pic.twitter.com/1Gtw58dbZX
— Bersi (@BersiRosey) September 23, 2015
12. Brain Quest!
I have VIVID memories of playing with this in the back of our van on the drive to Florida.
Don’t worry, I had a Gameboy back there too. It was a long drive.
Who else used “Brain Quest” to play school/teacher as kid?
byu/jenlycole innostalgia
13. Velcro Throw & Catch
Man I was a sucker for this kind of stuff.
Also: everything Nerf.
14. Fancy beaded coin purses
I legit carried my lunch money to school in one.
Vintage 1970's Beaded Red Coin Purse by VintageFlapperGirl (14.00 USD) pic.twitter.com/9sJOIoXdsz
— Its A Madcap Life (@TeamMadcap) October 16, 2013
15. Slap bracelets
What I wouldn’t give to rock one of these again.
Cool slap Bracelets😃#WohBhiKyaDinThe pic.twitter.com/mW4f7rVa0P
— happy soni (@happy_bandaji) September 1, 2020
16. Ball hair ties
We called them ponytail holders. I wonder if it was a regional thing.
Do you remember wearing ball hair ties in your hair in the 80s and 90s?#90s #90skid #kids #childhood #childhoodmemories #Retro #vintage #nostalgia #throwback #memories #doyouremember #vintagestyle #hair #haircare #Accessories #80s pic.twitter.com/TLhzqgLAqz
— DoYouRemember.co.uk (@dyr) August 4, 2020
Of course the best thing about childhood is the lack of responsibility, and man that’s a feeling that came rushing back for me looking at all of these.
What was your favorite thing from the 80s or 90s? Tell us in the comments!