35 of the Most Memorable Things from the 90s

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Toy collecting expert Eireann Kanzig shares iconic items from the 90s that we can’t forget

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IN THIS ARTICLE

1 Tamagotchis

2 Beanie Babies

3 Game Boys

4 Slap Bracelets

5 Blockbuster

6 Lisa Frank

7 Hot Wheels

8 American Girl Dolls

9 Baggy Jeans

10 MapQuest

11 Disposable Cameras

12 Trapper Keepers

13 CDs & Cassette Tapes

14 Phonebooks

15 Payphones

16 Landlines

17 Easy-Bake Oven

18 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

19 Friends

20 Yoo-hoo Drink

21 Doc Martens

22 Spice Girls

23 Neon Windbreakers

24 Chokers

25 The Macarena

26 MTV

27 Airheads

28 Boy Meets World

29 Dunkaroos

30 Seinfeld

31 The Backstreet Boys

32 Full House

33 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

34 Iconic Romcoms

35 Hip-Hop Revolution

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Co-authored by Eireann Kanzig and Samantha Fulton, BA

Last Updated: May 19, 2026 Fact Checked

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If you’ve been yearning for 90s aesthetics and pop culture, we’re right there with you. From toys to music groups to fashion trends, the 90s were an unforgettable decade. We’ve partnered with expert collectors to put together a list of some of the most memorable items from the 90s. Whether you were a 90s kid or not, chances are you’ll be familiar with most of the items on this list. Keep reading for a much-needed jolt of 90s nostalgia!

Unforgettable 90s Things

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Toy collecting expert Eireann Kanzig says Beanie Babies, Lisa Frank, and American Girl Dolls are some iconic 90s things. Other memorable things from the 90s include the technology (like disposable cameras, MapQuest, and CDs), sitcoms (Seinfeld, Friends, and Boy Meets World), and fashion and music trends.

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1

Tamagotchis

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   Whether or not you grew up in the 90s, you’ll be familiar with this item. Kids and adults alike were obsessed with their Tamagotchi, a tiny virtual pet, and it was a must-have toy that defined the decade. Fans were so addicted, stores had trouble keeping them in stock! Hopefully, this will remind you to feed your Tamagotchi today (we’re sure it’s been a while).

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Eireann Kanzig is a long-time toy collector based in Cleveland, Ohio. She began collecting toys in 2018 to preserve the wonderful memories of her childhood.

   Alyssa Velez is a collector and content creator based in Orlando, FL. Alyssa is known as icollectangels online and has been collecting Sonny Angels since 2022.

   Daley Polner is a clothing reseller and content creator based in Memphis, TN. She is the founder of Love Loop Vintage, where she has curated and resold Y2K and vintage fashion online since 2018.
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2

Beanie Babies

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   It’s not really a 90s list if we don’t talk about Beanie Babies. These little collectible toys were all the rage after their release in 1993. Kanzig notes that Beanie Babies were an especially popular 90s toy. Their popularity was so noteworthy that the collective obsession was dubbed the “Beanie Baby Craze.” At one point, the aftermarket value for Beanie Babies went up to thousands of dollars. So no need to be embarrassed for holding onto your Beanie Babies—maybe the values will skyrocket again someday… right?

3

Game Boys

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   This piece of 90s technology revolutionized video gaming. Released in 1989, the Game Boy allowed gamers to play their favorite games on the go. Plus, with the addition of different colored designs, they could do so in style!
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4

Slap Bracelets

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   Yes, that was the phantom sting of a slap bracelet that you just felt on your wrist. Memorable for their fun designs and addictive nature, slap bracelets were all the rage in the 90s. Striking a balance between fashionable and playful, these were a must-have for 90s kids. Some schools even had to ban these bracelets to keep students focused!

5

Blockbuster

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   Blockbuster, may god rest your soul. Back before online streaming, a major part of the 90s was going to Blockbuster to rent movies on DVD and VHS tape. Sadly, all but one Blockbuster has closed. The lone survivor is located in Bend, Oregon, and is dedicated to 90s nostalgia.
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6

Lisa Frank

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   Stickers and school supplies and beach towels, oh my! If you grew up in the 90s, odds are you owned something from this glittery, colorful brand. Designs featured bright colors and fantastical illustrations of dolphins, unicorns, puppies, and kittens. “The brighter the better, the more obnoxious the better,” says Kanzig.

7

Hot Wheels

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   This is another nostalgic 90s toy that still holds a special place in our hearts. Toy collector Alyssa Velez points out, “Hot Wheels haven’t gone out of style.” These collectibles are still a beloved toy to children and adult collectors alike. Some rare Hot Wheels are even worth hundreds of thousands of dollars!
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8

American Girl Dolls

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   Kanzig notes the continuous popularity of American Girl Dolls. These dolls and their corresponding, aspirational stories were everything to 90s kids. Eventually, the brand even opened an experiential retail store in 1998. Ironically, a recent release of “historical” American Girl Dolls from the 90s seems to have dubbed the iconic decade an ancient era.

9

Baggy Jeans

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   Baggy jeans are a timeless 90s trend. A vital part of the 90s grunge aesthetic, baggy jeans were insanely popular. This is one fashion trend that we love to see making a comeback. Vintage clothing & upcycling expert Daley Polner mentions that a “true baggy style” was especially on trend in the 90s.
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10

MapQuest

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   One of the internet’s first major success stories, MapQuest made road atlases a thing of the past. MapQuest was a revolutionary piece of technology from the early 90s that made it easy to share and print directions at home. While smartphone mapping has replaced it, we’ll always remember MapQuest as the OG way to plan a long journey.

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Disposable Cameras

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   Because who needs hundreds of filtered pics for Instagram on the spot? The disposable camera captured a limited number of photos that you had to wait to have developed. Delightfully, this is a trend that’s had a few resurgences through the years. It’s one great way to nail that 90s aesthetic you’ve been dying to craft.
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12

Trapper Keepers

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   This is how every 90s kid organized their schoolwork. A true 90s staple, the trapper keeper kept papers, folders, and notebooks secure. Bonus points if your trapper keeper was a bright and glittery Lisa Frank design! 90s-style trapper keepers have even started making a comeback for school supplies shoppers in recent years.

13

CDs & Cassette Tapes

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   Before the days of making your crush a cryptic Spotify playlist, you could curate the perfect mixtape on a CD or cassette. One way to beat the ads if you don’t have a premium streaming service? Kick it old school and get a CD player or a Walkman to play your favorite albums and cultivate your 90s aesthetic.
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14

Phonebooks

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   Forget asking for someone’s Snapchat—in the 90s you could just look them up in your trusty phonebook. As long as you had someone’s first and last name, you could find their contact info. If you think deciding how to slide into someone’s DMs is tricky, imagine deciding whether you should give them a call. Will they pick up? What will you say? We live for the drama.

15

Payphones

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   Yeah, it’s not just a Maroon 5 song. Payphones were a necessity in the 90s back before you could carry a smartphone in your back pocket. All you needed was 25 cents, and you could call someone from the street. Sure, you can do that with an iPhone, but doesn’t it sound fun to pretend you’re a character in Seinfeld and air out your business on a payphone in public?
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16

Landlines

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   You can’t doomscroll on one of these bad boys. Landlines were how you made calls from home. Trying to make plans with your bestie? Yeah, you’ll have to wait until your mom finishes yapping with your aunt before you can make that call.

17

Easy-Bake Oven

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   This was the go-to gift for every holiday season in any 90s household. The Easy-Bake Oven has been around since the 60s, but was especially popular in the 90s after Hasbro took over production. A timeless toy, it’s stayed popular and is still in stores if you’re looking for a jolt of 90s nostalgia.
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18

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

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   Do you hear that? That’s the siren call of Will Smith rapping one of the most iconic TV theme songs of all time—and yes, this is your sign to go re-binge it. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was an upbeat sitcom and was on air from 1990 to 1996. With a great balance of humor and drama, The Fresh Prince was an instant classic.

19

Friends

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   The one where we talk about another iconic 90s sitcom. Whether or not you saw it when it originally aired, we’re all familiar with Rachel, Phoebe, Monica, Ross, Chandler, and Joey. Friends is a timeless, familiar favorite that has kept viewers enamored since its release in the 90s. And now that we’ve mentioned it, good luck getting the theme song out of your head.

   • Want more Friends content? We’ll be there for you. Find out which Friends character you are!
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20

Yoo-hoo Drink

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   This was a staple in every 90s kid’s fridge. Whether it was in your lunchbox or your favorite after-school snack, the Yoo-hoo chocolate drink is sure to give your taste buds a burst of 90s nostalgia. This nostalgic beverage is still in stores if you want something to sip on while you’re rewatching your favorite 90s sitcoms.

21

Doc Martens

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   Another staple for your 90s grunge aesthetic, Docs are one trend that will seemingly never go out of style. These were a great way to signal your cool vibe, along with your baggy jeans and oversized flannel. You can still spot all the trendy celebs sporting Doc Marten combat boots now in 2026, and we love to see it.
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22

Spice Girls

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   One of the most iconic girl groups to come out of the 90s, the Spice Girls are still everything to us. The Spice Girls started in 1994 and have been a household name ever since. With catchy hit songs like “Wannabe,” the Spice Girls are sure to stay at the front of our memory for years to come. Now go bust out your favorite Spice Girls CD and live out your 90s nostalgia dreams.

   • Other iconic girl bands from the 90s included Destiny’s Child and TLC.

23

Neon Windbreakers

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   If you’re looking for a way to add a 90s pop of color to your wardrobe, it’s time to bring back the neon windbreaker. Forget the monochrome look! If you really want to go all in on the 90s nostalgia, start rocking those neon pinks, blues, and purples—make a statement! Throw on your baggy 90s jeans, and you’ll be ready to hang with the Fresh Prince himself.
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24

Chokers

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   Your 90s ensemble isn’t complete without a choker necklace. This is another 90s grunge trend that always seems to be making a comeback. Whether you’re trying to go for an alt-punk look or blend in with the Spice Girls, a choker is a great way to add some 90s nostalgia to your look.

25

The Macarena

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   Because we can’t let you walk away from an article about the 90s without the Macarena stuck in your head. Released in 1993, the song “Macarena” and its accompanying choreography are one trend we’ve never been able to shake. Whether you’re a 90s kid or not, odds are you’ve heard this iconic bop at a wedding, birthday party, or school dance.
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26

MTV

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   MTV was a pop culture force to be reckoned with in the 90s. Back before 30-second dance trends on TikTok, MTV was the go-to channel for iconic music videos. Whether you wanted Britney Spears or the Backstreet Boys, MTV was where every 90s music lover could go to get their fix.

27

Airheads

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   Airheads are another way to give your taste buds a burst of 90s nostalgia. A memorable summer snack, Airheads were a sour candy beloved by all 90s kids. With brightly colored wrappers that matched the brightly colored candy (and the vibe of the decade), Airheads were a 90s staple.
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28

Boy Meets World

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   Of course, we could never forget Boy Meets World. With a loveable cast of witty and fun characters, all 7 seasons of this iconic sitcom scream “90s.” Whether you were tuning in for Corey and Topanga’s love story or Shawn’s hilarious one-liners, Boy Meets World was required viewing for any 90s kid. Plus, we even got a spin-off with Disney’s series, Girl Meets World.

29

Dunkaroos

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   Dunkaroos are a delicious taste of the 90s. Consisting of small kangaroo-shaped cookies and sugary frosting, this was a favorite snack among 90s kids. While they were discontinued for a while, this nostalgic snack made a triumphant return in 2020 and can still be found at major retailers.
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30

Seinfeld

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   Another hilarious 90s sitcom, we simply could not leave Seinfeld off this list. With its witty one-liners and searingly sarcastic cast of characters, Seinfeld was and is a must-watch. Back before hour-long Netflix specials, this was a surefire way to get your stand-up comedy fix from the comfort of your own home.

31

The Backstreet Boys

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   Is it even the 90s without the Backstreet Boys? We would be remiss not to give a shoutout to this beloved boy band. The Backstreet Boys started a 90s boy band craze that has continued to shape the music industry to this day. Any 90s kid was sure to have their favorite Backstreet Boys CD on blast as soon as they got home from school.
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32

Full House

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   This is one of the most beloved sitcoms of the 90s. Airing for 8 seasons from 1987-1995, Full House was just about every household’s favorite scheduled program. Viewers loved the Tanner sisters so much (and John Stamos, of course) that we got a reboot, Fuller House, in 2016.

33

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

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   The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are something we definitely haven’t been able to leave in the 90s. Since the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles films came out in the early 90s (inspired by the comics and TV show), they’ve been a cultural staple. The mutant ninja turtles have maintained their popularity and continued to inspire spin-offs.
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34

Iconic Romcoms

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   The 90s were a golden age of romcoms. From Pretty Woman to Clueless to 10 Things I Hate About You, the 90s simply did not miss when it came to romantic comedies. We will forever be obsessed with the movies that came out of this decade, so the iconic romcoms simply had to have their own special shoutout.

35

Hip-Hop Revolution

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   The age of hip-hop in the 90s was the biggest musical revolution in American pop history. With iconic artists like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and 2Pac, this age of hip-hop was peak 90s. A scientific study has even confirmed that the hip-hop revolution of the 90s was one of the most influential periods in American music history!
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