Mix tapes, roller skates. leg warmers, John Hughes movies…these products defined the Eighties. Another hallmark of the decade? 80s toys! From the Hungry Hippos to Care Bears, there were many hot items that boys and girls begged their parents to buy.
While many popular toys came out in the 80s, there are some worth a small fortune today. Here are 10 toys from the 1980s that could make you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
1. Original Transformers Action Figures
The Transformers franchise is still going strong. If you have the original boxed figures of Optimus Prime and Megatron from the 80s, bring them to an antique shop or sell them on eBay. You could fetch thousands of dollars, especially if they are in mint condition with unbroken seals.
2. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Figures
Back in 1983, kids were glued to TV to catch the latest episode of He-Man. Look through your collection of 80s toys to see if you still have the original action figures and their accompanying playsets. First edition figures can net you anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
3. Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
Nintendo really hit a home run when they released the NES in 1985. This console revived the home video game industry and brought classics like Super Mario Bros and The Legend of Zelda into homes for the first time. Complete systems, especially those in pristine condition or with original packaging, can command high prices.
4. G.I. Joe Action Figures
Action figures aren’t nearly as popular as they used to be. Still, the original G.I. Joes from the 1980s are valuable among collectors. While fans of 80s toys will buy any G.I. Joe, they’re on the hunt for rare figures and complete sets. Sell yours for some extra cash!
5. Garbage Pail Kids Cards
Every little girl wanted a Cabbage Patch Kid. A cartoonist named Art Spiegelman poked fun at this popularity by creating Garbage Pail Kids. These parody trading cards, especially those that were banned or recalled, are worth an insane amount of money to collectors.
6. Lego Sets
Most kids lose at least one Lego brick in their lifetimes. However, if you managed to keep your sets from the 80s in pristine condition, they could be worth money. The Space and Castle series are particularly valuable. Unopened sets can sell for thousands of dollars.
7. First Edition Rubik’s Cube
By the early 1980s, there were commercials on TV for the Rubik’s Cube. These brainteasers were so popular, they even inspired a short-lived animated series. Do a happy dance if you have a first-edition Rubik’s Cube. Collectors are willing to spend thousands on these ’80s toys.
8. Star Wars Action Figures
Go to any retail store, and you’ll still see Star Wars toys on the shelves. While these modern toys are cool, they don’t hold a candle to the original action figures that came out in the 1980s. Star Wars toys from this decade are highly coveted by fans of the franchise.
9. Cabbage Patch Kids
Take a look in storage. Do you still have Cabbage Patch Kids dolls? Do they have their original box, clothes, adoption papers, and birth certificate still intact? Congratulations, you may be sitting on a small fortune! Rare dolls, especially those from before 1985, can earn you thousands of dollars.
10. Teddy Ruxpin
Technology is part of our everyday lives. However, back in the 1980s, everyone was blown away by Teddy Ruxpin. This storytelling bear could really talk and move his eyes. In excellent condition with the original packaging, Teddy Ruxpin can be worth hundreds of dollars.
Retro 80s Toys
Don’t feel as though you need to hold onto your 80s toys for your grandchildren. Chances are, these childhood memories are doing nothing more than taking up space in storage. Sell them to a collector to make extra cash. If you really want, you can use that money to buy your grandchildren something new!
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Alyssa Serio has been a writer and editor since graduating from Aurora University in 2014. In her free time, she loves reading, playing volleyball, and watching any horror movie (even the bad ones) with her husband.