Slap Bracelet

Were you a kid on the playground and showing off your new slap bracelets? If you never had one, these bracelets were a long thin strip of curved metal covered in fabric. When you slapped them against anything the strip would transform and wrap itself around the wrist, ankle, desk, pet, or anything else you could think to hit it on. These sold for around $2.50 and came in such variety of colors and patterns that no one seemed to have the same one as anyone else.

Masters of the Universe Action Figures

Launched in 1981, these action figures were everywhere. The action punching He-Man hero was powered by an internal rubber band that could let out a pretty good wallop against Skeletor and his minions. With the toy being a hit, a cartoon series was commissioned. This new show fueled sales of the toy and turned He-Man and the Masters of the Universe into a pop culture icon.

Care Bears

Originally the Care Bears were created for use in greeting cards and turned into teddy bears in 1983. As was expected with any successful toy, TV specials and a cartoon series were soon to follow. Each bear had a unique color and insignia on its stomach that showed its personality and job. Who didn’t want a bear with super powers?

My Little Pony

The venerable My Little Pony has to be one of the most successful franchises of the 80s. Started in 1981 as My Pretty Pony, it was later rebranded to My Little Pony in 1983. It has bridged generations with a 2010 animated television series and has grossed billions of dollars in sales over its lifetime.

Ninja Turtle Toys

In the late 80s the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles jumped from the comic books and onto the television screen. With its immense success the toy line followed in short order. Interestingly enough, the toy was supposed to come first but the manufacturer of the toy did not believe a toy line based on a cult comic book would succeed so a television series was created. The success of the show opened the doors to the launch of the first series of toys that included the Turtles, Splinter, April, Shredder, Rocksteady, Bebop, and a Foot Soldier. There was also a line of vehicles produced : the Turtle Trooper, Cheapskate, Turtle Blimp, and Foot Knucklehead.