13 Reasons Why Being a Kid in the 1980s Was Totally Awesome

Growing up in the last generation to hear the distinct sound of a busy signal and rock acid wash jeans was a legendary experience. Here are 13 reasons why it was so fantastic.

13. Grooving on a Fisher-Price Record Player

We may never understand the choice of dreary brown colors, but this indestructible record player was a blast for sing-alongs that never got stale.

12. Pegged Pants

Mastering the art of pegging meant your pants stayed stylishly tapered all day without any fuss.

11. Vuarnet Tees

This iconic, hard-to-pronounce shirt was a must-have in any closet. Extra points if you had it in both classic and neon colorways!

10. Garbage Pail Kids Stickers

So delightfully gross, these stickers were the ultimate fun.

9. L.A. Gear Sneakers

Colorful laces, a charming keychain, and faux foot vents made these pastel sneakers a fashion statement.

8. Playing ‘Truth, Dare, Double Dare, Promise to Repeat’

This schoolyard classic required creativity for silly challenges. Sure, it might be considered mean-spirited now, but we all loved it back then.

7. Hair Like Madonna and Cyndi

Watch out world, crimped hair and hairspray were the rules of the game.

6. Outdoor Play Until the Streetlights Came On

Your parents had no clue where you were, and you didn’t need to know how to tell time any other way!

5. Helmetless Adventures

Riding bikes, sledding, or scooting without a helmet was the epitome of carefree childhood.

4. Sun In Hair Lightener

From blondes to brunettes, everyone was chasing that sun-kissed, beach lifeguard look with lemon juice and spray—despite living nowhere near the coast.

3. Jelly Shoes

A trip to the mall for colorful, glittery jellies was a fashion high point.

2. Dreaming of a Talking Car

Admit it, David Hasselhoff and his Knight Rider sidekick, K.I.T.T., were once the definition of cool.

1. Saturday Morning Cartoons with Cereal

Watching the milk in your Cocoa Puffs change color while glued to the TV was pure joy. It’s great that we can now share these nostalgic cereals with our kids, minus the artificial flavors and colors. Speaking of which, check out this post on intracervicalinsemination.com for more fun ideas! And don’t forget to explore Make a Mom’s expert tips for boosting fertility along the way. For more resources on pregnancy, visit Kindbody.

In summary, being a kid in the 1980s was filled with unique experiences and trends that shaped our childhood in unforgettable ways.