1. Bop It (1996)
"Bop it! Twist it! Pull it! Zing it!" These words were a challenge to kids across America. How fast can you bop it? This electronic hand toy consisted of a buttons, knobs, zings, and twists where you had to obey the commands and hit the right object in time to keep playing the game, hit the wrong appendage and you were out! No only was this toy exhilarating to play but it also was heart pumping to watch. Challenges on how long you could "bop it" were the norm, and they only increased when the Bop It Extreme came out shortly after its predecessor.
2. Tickle Me Elmo (1996)
The famous robotic, laughing, semi disturbing Tickle Me Elmo was an nearly one foot tall, giggling, red, furry,electronic Elmo doll. Freaked out yet? Apparently we were not. This '90s craze spread to every house with small children across the nation. What could be more hilarious then a huge-eyed, tomato faced, minion laughing it's furry face off with just one finger poke? Not only did it laugh, but it has certain exclamatory lines that it sprouted every few chuckles or so. It moved too. The Tickle Me Elmo had its run in the '90s, however, today I can't stop picturing the Chucky doll at its mention, but Elmo just keeps laughing... that's not weird at all.
3. Pokemon (1996)
"Pikachu, I choose you!" These multi-colored, fascinating, eye widening cards first began as a simple card game and then evolved into computer games and TV shows. But it started with the cards. It was all the rage to show your friends your Pokemon card binder, which held row after row of your shiny, new game cards. Each card had a specific Pokemon on it with a specific danger value, which you would play against other kid's Pokemon to one up their card and win the "battle." If we were asked to trade our cards, an intense discussion of value and battle strategy would take place, because lets face it, we just had to catch them all.
4. Sock'em Boppers (late '90s)
Balloons on our hands, disguised anger in our eyes, battle screams intact and we were ready to fight. These kid punching gloves were the reason for many bloody noses throughout the end of the '90s, but the were also a great excuse to sock your brother and claim it was "just a game." Today, there would be one too many safety concerns for these babies to get put on the store shelf. But in my opinion, they were great for aerobic exercise and..well...letting off some steam.
5. Polly Pockets (1994)
Remember these cuties? These rubber divas are still in production today, though they have changed dramatically and have added about 100 more safety warnings to the packaging box. But in 1994, we were less concerned. Having these little plastic dolls with their endless wardrobe of rubber clothing was the height of entertainment for any little girl. Never mind the choking hazard nor how we always lost the little rubber shoes within seconds of putting them on Polly, and the rest of the clothing for that matter. But we did not care, Polly was too cute and cool to get mad at!
6. Easy-Bake Oven (1993)
Baking at its finest with a 5-year-old holding the finger sized spatula. This mini oven made little girls feel like professional bakers with its tiny pan and even tinier cookie portions. And it was hazard free! Well, until the oven overheated and the light blew out. Despite its short life, this little oven made delicious fingerprint sized cookies, brownies and even small cakes.
7. Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? (1992)
I had a quarrel with this game, and I'm sure I wasn't the only distressed '90s child. I could never find Carmen Sandiego. I chased Carmen all across that board game map and then continued to chase her on the computer screen when she became digitized. But I failed. Carmen outran me. But others caught her. When kids found her they would come to school bragging about how they knew where she was and they refused to tell. One day Carmen, one day, just you wait.
