Compiling your Christmas wish list is one of the most important and enjoyable parts of the festive season as a child.
Although the types of toys and prices have changed considerably over the decades, the joy of unwrapping them on Christmas Day has remained the same. Each year there’s a selection of must-have toys that Manchester children are desperate to get their hands on, and some from past years have remained iconic.
In 2018, MusicMagpie compiled a list of the most popular Christmas toys since 1970 and how much they cost, from Rubik’s Cubes to Nintendos, Star Wars figures to Furbies. The MEN has collated some of the must-have toys from each year between 1970 and 2000.
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We’ve also added how much each toy costs online right now. As some of the toys are no longer available, we’ve included the prices of how much original items are selling for on eBay where applicable.
1970
Nerfball - £1.25, now £13
Sindy - £3.99, now £79.99
Risk Board Game - £1.73, now £26.99
1971
Space Hopper - £2.25, now £15.50
Mastermind Board Game - £1.64, now £28.99
Weebles - £4.99, now £23.99
Etch a sketch - 99p, now £44.95
1972
Skateboard - £3.62, now from £13
Uno - £1.01, now £6.99
Easy Bake Oven - £3.99, now £41
1973
Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle - £3.71, now £48
Shrinky Drinks - 40p, now from £23
Walkie Talkie Sets - £4.98, now from £17
Baby Alive - £10.88, now from £17
1974
Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots - £3.46, now £29.99
Dungeons & Dragons - £3.69, now £19.99 for the starter set
Magic 8 Ball - 77p, now £17.99
Twister - £1.35, now from £10.50
1975
Pet Rock - £1.75, now from £3.50
Pong - £43.85, now from £19.99 for a mini version
Portable Cassette Player Recorder - £12.40, now from £29.99
Monopoly - £1.89, now from £20
1976
Cher Doll - £3.39, now from £174
Magna Doodle - £10.59, now from £10
Pogo Stick - £2.92, now from £24.99
1977
Atari 2600 - £105.70, now from £59.99
Star Wars Figures - £1.44, now from £15
Stretch Armstrong - £9.58, now £16.99
The Batmobile - £20.71, now £22.99
1978
Hungry Hippos - £3.94, now £13.99
Speak & Spell - £31.54, now £35
Simon Says - £31.84, now £16.60
Connect Four - £2.64, now from £9.99
1979
Strawberry Shortcake - £4.75, now £19.99
Millennium Falcon - £80.24, now from £36.99
Sony Walkman - £81.67, no longer available
Meccano Construction Set - £10.34, now from £9.99
1980
Rubik’s Cube - 91p, now £10
Mattel Handheld Electronic Game - £23.25, now from £32
LEGO Train Set - £40, now from £128
Mr Frosty - £10.50, now from £19.99
1981
Star Wars AT-AT - £28.75, now from £46
He-Man Castle Grayskull - £29.99, now £222.99
Lite Brite - £14.99, now £14.99
1982
GI Joe Figures - £1.17, now from £10.99
BMX Bike - £45, now from £130
Glo Worm - £4.99, now from £16.44
1983
Care Bears - £16.75, now from £12.99
Cabbage Patch Kids Doll - £14.91, now from £39.99
GI Joe APC - £5.96, now £85
My Little Pony - £3.55, now from £7.99
1984
Optimus Prime - £16.87, now from £17.99
Pound Puppies - £6.99, now £8.99
A-Team Van - £42, now £39.99
1985
Teddy Ruxpin - £57.99, now from £24.99
Pillow People - £8.99, now from £49.99
Trivial Pursuit - £8.99, now from £20
1986
Lazer Tag - £34, now from £24.99
LEGO Airport - £24.96, now from £69.99
My Pet Monster - £19.96, now from £38
Power Wheels Jeep - £112.32, now from £174
1987
Sylvanian Families - £6.97, now from £14.99
Koosh Ball - £3, now £23.98
Pogo Ball - £4.11, now from £12
1988
Ghostbusters Proton Pack - £19.99, now £25.99
NES Action Set - £94.76, now from £70
Airless Hockey - £50.54, now from £38
Playskool Kitchen - £50.54, now £43.99
1989
Batmobile - £9.99, now £22.99
Polly Pocket - £5.50, now from £11.99
Talking Alf - £27.99, no longer available
1990
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Figures - £3.99, now from £7.99
Mouse Trap - £12.25, now £18
Sega Mega Drive - £189.99, now £299.99
Mr Frosty Ice Crunchie Machine - £10.75, now from £19.99
1991
Nintendo Game Boy - £69.99, now from £20
Super Soaker 50 - £9.99, now £18
Playmobil Victorian Dollhouse - £75, now £126
1992
WWF Action Figures - £4.99, now £19.99
Thunderbirds’ Tracy Island - £23.99, now from £35
The Littlest Pet Shop - £19.99, now from £7.95
Slap Bracelets - £1.99, now £1.25
1993
Talkboy - £24.97, now from £41
Barbie Doll - £10.99, now from £10
Action Man - £9.99, now from £25.99
Dream Phone - £29.99, now £26.49
1994
Power Rangers Action Figures - £4.99, now from £10.99
Cabbage Patch Kids - £28.99, now from £39.99
Silly Putty - £1.50, now from £2.25
Dear Diary - £23.99, no longer available
1995
PlayStation - £287.75, now £119.99
POGs - £2.99, now from £6.99
Beanie Baby - £3.99, now £7.99
Sky Dancers - £7.99, now £20.99
1996
Tickle Me Elmo - £19.99, now £24.99
Buzz Lightyear - £23.99, now £29.99
Doodle Bear - £14.75, now £23.99
Space Jam Action Figures - £9.99, still £9.99
1997
Nintendo 64 - £150, now £94.99
Tamagotchi - £9.99, now £16.99
Teletubbies - £27.99, now from £11.99
1998
Furby - £24.99, now from £5
Bop It - £14.99, now from £12
Nintendo Game Boy Colour - £69.99, now from £21
ProYo - £4.75, no longer available
1999
Pokemon Red & Pokemon Blue - £19.99, now from £20 each
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Game - £23.99, now £12.99
Scalextric AFX Vertigo Set - £39.50, now £43
Nintendo Game Boy Camera - £39.50, now from £7.50
2000
Teksta Robot Dog - £38.74, now from £29.99
Micro Scooter - £90, now from £114
Amazing Ally - £37.37, now £44
Nokia 3310 - £150, now £69
Do you remember receiving any of the above toys? Let us know in the comments section below.
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