11 Things Kids Owned in the ’90s That Are Now Goldmines

It’s strange to realize the toys we abandoned as kids have quietly become some of adulthood’s most valuable surprises.

You probably remember the days of slap bracelets and dial-up internet noises that sounded like alien transmissions. If you were a kid back then, your bedroom floor was likely scattered with plastic treasures. You may have begged your parents for these toys, promising you would take care of them forever, only to store them in a closet when high school began.

Now that you are adults with bills to pay, it might be time to visit that dusty attic or your parents’ basement. Some of those nostalgic toys have skyrocketed in value, turning old plastic into serious cash. Before you toss that box of junk during spring cleaning, take a close look because you might be sitting on a literal fortune without even knowing it.

Original Nintendo Game Boy

The gray brick that launched a thousand Tetris addictions is an icon of handheld gaming that defined a generation of button mashers. It was bulky and demanded a constant supply of AA batteries, yet it remains a beloved piece of history for gamers who appreciate its simple durability.

Collectors are scrambling to find these devices in pristine condition because the nostalgia market is hotter than a fresh pack of batteries. A factory-sealed original Game Boy is the holy grail that most of us carelessly ripped open on a birthday morning.

First Edition Pokémon Cards

Everyone wanted to be the very best like no one ever was, and that meant hoarding shiny cardboard squares. A sealed booster box of original cards recently sold for over $400,000 at auction, proving these aren’t just child’s play. If you kept your cards in a binder rather than stuffing them in your pocket, you are in luck.

The Holographic Charizard is the holy grail of this collection, specifically the shadowless first edition version. According to CNN, a Gem Mint 10 1st Edition Charizard sold for $420,000 in 2022, a staggering return on investment. It is wild to think a card we traded for a bag of chips could now buy a house.

Original Furby Toys

These owl-like robots were simultaneously the coolest and creepiest gifts under the Christmas tree in 1998. While millions were sold, limited-edition items like the Kid Cuisine Furby can fetch more than $1,000 on eBay. Most of us remember them waking us up in the middle of the night with random chatter.

Collectors are seeking sealed boxes or rare color variants produced in limited quantities. If you resisted the urge to take the batteries out and kept it pristine, you have a solid seller. Even used ones can bring in a decent amount of cash if they still work properly.

Action Figures

You probably smashed these heroes in a half-shell together in epic backyard battles, but you really should have kept them safe in their blister packs. While some are common, obscure characters released late in the toy line are the ones driving sales today.

The sheer variety of figures released during the height of Turtle-mania means there are likely rare gems hiding in bins of familiar toys. Accessories play a significant role here, as tiny plastic swords and belts were usually the first items to be sucked up by the vacuum cleaner. Finding a complete figure with all its original weapons and belt is nearly impossible today, driving prices sky-high for perfect specimens.

Harry Potter First Editions

Many of us lined up at midnight to grab a copy of J.K. Rowling’s wizarding adventures hot off the press. However, only 500 copies of the hardcover first edition of “Philosopher’s Stone” were printed, making them incredibly scarce. Most of those copies went to libraries, which means finding one in good condition is like finding a needle in a haystack.

You need to check the copyright page for a specific number line, and the name “Joanne Rowling” instead of “J.K.” Heritage Auctions reported a pristine first edition sold for a record-breaking $471,000, setting a new benchmark for modern fiction. Better check your bookshelf to see if you have magic waiting there.

Super Soaker Water Guns

Summer fights were serious business, and having the biggest blaster gave you instant supremacy on the block. The Super Soaker CPS 2000 is legendary for its power, and collectors will pay hundreds to own this discontinued beast. We used to run around the yard until the grass was mud, completely unaware of the future value.

The larger models from the Larami era, before Hasbro took over, are the specific ones bringing in the big bucks. Vintage toy enthusiasts often spend hundreds of dollars for a sealed Super Soaker Monster XL due to its sheer size and scarcity. Ironically, a plastic gun meant for water fights is now a display piece.

Beanie Babies

You probably believed the hype that Beanie Babies would pay for our college tuition one day. While most are worth pennies, the Royal Blue Peanut the Elephant is a genuine manufacturing error that is actually valuable. This specific version was created with the wrong dye color, making it an accidental rarity.

You have to look for the darker blue shade rather than the common light blue version everyone else has. A genuine Royal Blue Peanut can sell for thousands, depending on the condition of the tag. It is the one time a mistake paid off big time for the people who bought it.

Nintendo 64 Games

Video games were meant to be played, so finding a sealed copy of a popular title is extremely rare. A sealed copy of Super Mario 64 broke records when it sold for $1.56 million, stunning the entire gaming community. Most of us removed the plastic immediately to start jumping through paintings.

Even if you do not have the specific million-dollar copy, other sealed hits, such as GoldenEye 007, are worth thousands. Grading services rate these games based on box condition, which dramatically increases the price for perfect corners. It hurts to think about how many boxes we threw away without a second thought.

Original Tamagotchi Pets

Keeping these digital pets alive was a full-time job for kids who were not allowed to have a dog. The original 1996 models, especially those in rare box packaging, are fetching high prices from nostalgic buyers. We panicked when they beeped in class, hoping the teacher wouldn’t confiscate them.

While a standard used one might only get you dinner money, the Devilgotchi variant is a different story. This rare version can command up to hundreds of dollars because it was released only in Japan. It is funny how we stressed over pixelated poop, and now people pay premium rates for the privilege.

Lego Sets From The 90s

Lego bricks are timeless, but specific sets from the 1990s have gained a cult following among adult builders. The King’s Mountain Fortress from 1990 is a prime example, with sealed boxes selling for thousands of dollars online. It is amazing how these plastic bricks appreciate better than some real estate markets.

Themes such as Pirates, Castle, and early Star Wars sets are the ones to look for. According to BrickEconomy, the annual growth of collectible Lego sets is approximately 11%, beating gold prices over the same period. If you have a pristine monorail set, you are definitely holding onto a winner.

American Girl Dolls

These dolls were the ultimate status symbol at sleepovers, and each one had a specific historical backstory. Original Pleasant Company dolls, such as Samantha or Felicity, can sell for thousands when in their original clothing. The key is to look for white body strings, which indicate an early manufacturing run.

Accessories play a significant role in perceived value, as small items like jewelry and clothing are easily lost. This toy underscores the high price of nostalgia. Moms who told us to take care of these dolls were absolutely right all along.

15 Things Women Only Do With the Men They Love

The 15 Things Women Only Do With the Men They Love

Love is a complex, beautiful emotion that inspires profound behaviors. We express our love in various ways, some universal, while others are unique to each individual. Among these expressions, there are specific actions women often reserve for the men they deeply love.

This piece explores 15 unique gestures women make when they’re in love. From tiny, almost invisible actions to grand declarations, each tells a story of deep affection and unwavering commitment.