The 1980s was a decade of glamour and glitz, of sound and fury, of big hair and loud clothes. But it was also a great decade to be a kid, producing some of the most iconic playthings of all time. And if you were more Cyndi Lauper than Howard Jones, chances are these 80s girl toys found a home in your room and STILL hold a special place in your heart.
My Little Pony
Eighties girl toys were full of pretty colors and rainbow-sparkles. The ponies had big eyes, a tiny nose, and eyelashes that went on for miles. Some say the 80s was when pony fever hit hardest; others remember coming home from school to find mom waiting at the door with her new My Little Pony.
The 80s My Little Ponies were simpler than today’s, and the hair was more of a “bouffant” style rather than the big-haired ponytail we know and love. There were different colors to choose from: purple with pink mane; blue with yellow mane (you could tell which was which by their eyes). There were also 80s My Little Pony accessories, like the pet parade, and 80s-themed games.
And, of course, My Little Pony wasn’t *just* for girls. Ever hear of “Bronies”?
She-Ra: Princess of Power was
She-Ra was a spinoff of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, and she also had her own cartoon series in which she fought for peace on Eternia alongside her friends Bow, Glimmer (who could turn invisible), Swift Wind (her unicorn), Foul Play (who could change into anything he touched), and others.
She-Ra was voiced by Melendy Britt, who also lent her voice to 80s cartoons like The Smurfs, Pac Man and Friends, Jem (where she played the wicked Dr. Kishka) and more.
The character was popular enough that it spawned a line of toys, including She-Ra and her unicorn, Swift Wind, produced by Mattel in the 1980s.
Pound Puppies
Pound Puppies, produced by Tyco in the 80s, were a line of pudgy puppies that came with their own pet carriers.
These little pups were so darn cute and popular that they even landed their own TV show, a cartoon series that debuted in 1986.
Like My Little Pony, and probably even more so, Pound Puppies appealed to kids of all kinds, including boys. But there’s not doubt the pups were a favorite of 80s girls everywhere.
Garfield Phone
In 1983, girls were living the high life, kicking back in their leg warmers, twirling the cord on their Garfield phones from Panasonic while they worked through life’s problems with their friends next door or down the block. This 80s toy had a rotating dial for numbers and was shaped like everyone’s favorite cartoon cat.
While not technically a “toy” — it was a real phone, after all! — the Garfield phone was a huge hit with school girls everywhere.
Mall Madness Game
This electronic toy presented a 3D game board laid out like, yes, a shopping mall. The object of the game was to get all of your mall shoppers to the designated exit without running out of time or money.
The 80s Mall Madness Game came with a map, six “shoppers,” and two dice. Players had to make their way through five levels in order to reach the end goal: home sweet 80s mall!
Sea Wees
These cute little playmates were squishy mermaid-type creatures with on floating lily pads that turned bath time into an 80s adventure.
Introduced by Playskool in 1983, Sea Wees floaties were made of a soft yet durable foam, while the dolls themselves were hard plastic with synthetic hair.
Lady Lovely Locks
This 80s-era doll’s hair could be styled with a comb and she came with an assortment of glamor accessories.
The Lady Lovely Locks toy line was based on the same character, and her sidekicks, the Pixietails, who debuted as characters in a line of American Greetings cards in the early 1980s.
The toy was produced by Mattel from 1987 to 1989.
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