If keeping up with your homework wasn't enough, spare a thought for 90s schoolchildren, who also had to contend with keeping their electronic pets alive. Tamagotchis, meaning 'egg watch' in Japanese, burst onto the scene in 1996 and they were soon in the pockets of children around the globe. Youngsters had to care for their 'pets' by feeding them, often with a hamburger or piece of cake, playing games with them, disciplining them and cleaning up after them. The fact that earlier versions couldn't be paused meant they were often taken to school, where pupils could compare how their creatures were getting on.If keeping up with your homework wasn't enough, spare a thought for 90s schoolchildren, who also had to contend with keeping their electronic pets alive. Tamagotchis, meaning 'egg watch' in Japanese, burst onto the scene in 1996 and they were soon in the pockets of children around the globe. Youngsters had to care for their 'pets' by feeding them, often with a hamburger or piece of cake, playing games with them, disciplining them and cleaning up after them. The fact that earlier versions couldn't be paused meant they were often taken to school, where pupils could compare how their creatures were getting on.
If keeping up with your homework wasn't enough, spare a thought for 90s schoolchildren, who also had to contend with keeping their electronic pets alive. Tamagotchis, meaning 'egg watch' in Japanese, burst onto the scene in 1996 and they were soon in the pockets of children around the globe. Youngsters had to care for their 'pets' by feeding them, often with a hamburger or piece of cake, playing games with them, disciplining them and cleaning up after them. The fact that earlier versions couldn't be paused meant they were often taken to school, where pupils could compare how their creatures were getting on. | JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Images

9 playground crazes and toys of the 1990s you'll remember if you went to school back then

Robert Cumber
By Robert Cumber

Property and retro writer

Published 3rd May 2025, 08:00 BST

If you went to school in the 1990s, this retro photo gallery is bound to bring memories flooding back.

Those were the days before mobile phones were commonplace, when children had to find their entertainment away from social media.

Luckily there were plenty of different playground crazes, fashions and fads to keep youngsters amused back then.

These pictures show some of the most popular toys, trading cards, games and more, which were all the rage at schools around the UK during the 90s.

How many of these do you remember, and what would you add to the list?

Do you have retro pictures or nostalgic memories to share with us? Send them online via YourWorld at www.yourworld.net/submit. It's free to use and, once checked, your story or picture will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.

Slap bracelets were popular at schools in the early 1990s. The straight bands could be slapped against your wrist, causing them to coil into the shape of a bracelet. They were reportedly banned at some schools over fears that poorly made models could cause injuries.

5. Slap bracelets

Slap bracelets were popular at schools in the early 1990s. The straight bands could be slapped against your wrist, causing them to coil into the shape of a bracelet. They were reportedly banned at some schools over fears that poorly made models could cause injuries. | Yvonne Hemsey/Getty Images Photo: Yvonne Hemsey/Getty Images

Beanie Babies are hugely popular today but their story began in the 90s. They were initially slow to catch on but when maker Ty, Inc. began restricting their availability and 'retiring' characters demand quickly grew. In 1996, Teenie Babies - a miniature version - was released and sold alongside McDonald's Happy Meals.

6. Beanie Babies

Beanie Babies are hugely popular today but their story began in the 90s. They were initially slow to catch on but when maker Ty, Inc. began restricting their availability and 'retiring' characters demand quickly grew. In 1996, Teenie Babies - a miniature version - was released and sold alongside McDonald's Happy Meals. | JOYCE NALTCHAYAN/AFP via Getty Images Photo: JOYCE NALTCHAYAN/AFP via Getty Images

Toy Story is one of the greatest film franchises ever but has famously made more from merchandise than at the box office. Life imitated art following the release of the first film in the UK in 1996, with the Buzz Lightyear action figures proving much more popular with children than the Woody ones.

7. Buzz Lightyear toys

Toy Story is one of the greatest film franchises ever but has famously made more from merchandise than at the box office. Life imitated art following the release of the first film in the UK in 1996, with the Buzz Lightyear action figures proving much more popular with children than the Woody ones. | Yvonne Hemsey/Getty Images Photo: Yvonne Hemsey/Getty Images

The Nintendo Game Boy first hit the UK market in 1990 and soon had youngsters across the nation hooked. The extensive range of games, including the addictive Tetris with which it was bundled, together with its affordability and impressive battery life helped it easily fend off competition from other portable games consoles like the Sega Game Gear.

8. Game Boy

The Nintendo Game Boy first hit the UK market in 1990 and soon had youngsters across the nation hooked. The extensive range of games, including the addictive Tetris with which it was bundled, together with its affordability and impressive battery life helped it easily fend off competition from other portable games consoles like the Sega Game Gear. | BERTRAND GUAY/AFP via Getty Images Photo: BERTRAND GUAY/AFP via Getty Images

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