The late 90s and early 2000s were a unique time to grow up in. It was an era where kids spent their Saturday mornings watching cartoons, playing, or doing chores. It was a time when our biggest challenge was choosing which game and friends we would be playing with for the day. If you’re a 90s or 2000s kid, you probably have a lot of fond memories from that period.
Recently, my brother sent me a TikTok video showcasing a collection of childhood toys we used to play with. I felt nostalgic watching it.
Looking at the comments, it wasn’t surprising that almost everyone got the same surge of wistfulness. Whether you grew up in the city or the countryside, our experiences were not very much different. We played games, spent time with friends, and enjoyed the seemingly small things that brought us joy.
In this article, I have put together the best toys I can remember growing up, which will surely resonate with fellow 90s-2000s kids and bring back a waterfall of memories.
Yo-yos
Back in primary school, I remember seeing a kid at break time playing with this toy for the first time. I was fascinated by it, and although it took me a while to get familiar with it, it was one of those toys I distinctly remember enjoying to play with.
Toycars
I have to admit there was a time in my life when I could have done anything for a toy car, and I mean ANYTHING! I still love cars as much as the next guy, but toy cars stole my heart early. I remember vividly my car collection as a kid – a 1970 Dodge Challenger, a yellow dump truck, and a green military jeep – I was so proud of them and kept adding more to my collection. One time, I stole my cousin’s toy car and left home without lunch, that’s how obsessed I was with these toy cars.
Video games
Toys were a big part of our childhood. Who remembers playing Tetris on the handheld BRICK GAME console? The handheld device had games – Snake and Tetris, officially giving many people their first video game experience. Flying kites, playing with tennis balls and Barbie dolls, and having more fun in the rain were just part of growing up in that period.
PlayStation 2
I don’t know about you, but if you are into video games, you can never forget your first electronic game experience, especially on the now-extinct PlayStation 2. Many gamers remember powering up that system and getting ready to play some PES 2005, Need for Speed, or Mortal Kombat. The hours spent together competing for bragging rights over our friends led to inside jokes and long-term friendships to this day.
Waterful Ring Toss
This handheld device had small colorful rings floating in the water that you could control and stack on the tiny poles underwater. This is actually harder than it sounds. I am sure anyone who played with this toy can agree it was a lot of fun as we spent hours trying to stack those rings.
Barbie Dolls
Almost every girl I grew up around or met through school had, at some point, owned a Barbie doll. The truth is, Barbie has touched many generations, both young and old. Many even remember the buzz of the latest Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Most play dates involved at least one Barbie doll. Many miss the excitement of going to the store or opening a gift of a new Barbie, then spending hours playing with her outfits and making up elaborate scenarios.
Flying kites and paper planes
I still recall Saturday mornings running out with my kite or freshly made paper plane for a day out, playing with my latest handwork. These DIY projects took time to get right, but so much fun.
DIY Football the African Way
Growing up, it was not unusual to spot one of these footballs made out of plastic bags or other odd materials on the playground and a swarm of kids running after the balls. The price of a real football was expensive, so we made our homemade balls. The makeshift balls were constructed from various items like rags, tree bark, and condoms; if children can mold something into a circular shape, they can turn it into a ball. The memories of those afternoons playing with those homemade balls, the raggedy shoes we wore, and the crooked goalposts made of tree branches – memories many people in my generation hold dear.
The memories of our childhood toys and games can bring about a sense of nostalgia that many can relate to. Whenever a video or image from the past pops up on our social media pages, it takes us back to those simpler times that we took for granted. As we grow older and face the trials of adulthood, we can’t help but long for the carefree days of our childhood.
Although the games we play may differ based on our cultural background and upbringing, the sentiment remains the same. The instruments of our childhood hold a special place in our hearts and remind us of the joys and simplicity of life.
