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Toys People Always Wanted Growing Up But Never Actually Received

A glowing red sign that says "Nintendo Virtual Boy"
Photo by Senad Palic on Unsplash

Unless you grew up with the most doting parents on the planet, there's probably a toy or two that you really wanted as a kid, but never received.

Whether it was too expensive for your parents to afford, or something like a noisy toy that was going to be way too annoying for your parents, there are probably some toys that you really missed out on as a child.


Redditor Moist-Patience-4989 asked:

"What is a toy you always wanted growing up, but never got?"

Power Wheels

"The Barbie Jeep that you could actually ride in. But once I had kids, I bought them one (not the Barbie version, but still). And guess what? I was five pounds under the weight limit so I was able to ride in their battery-powered Jeep. I mean, it was a couple decades late, but I eventually got to do it."

- smugmisswoodhouse

"Lol I never got one of those as a kid either. It still haunts me till this day. I have no idea why but it still does. My mom bought me a car for my 16th birthday but I still bring up the freaking power wheel. I guess it really scarred me."

- Annonme123

Easy - Bake Oven

"Easy - Bake Oven"

- Antibara

"Me too. I wanted one so bad. When they came out with the real retro looking ones a while ago, I was sooo tempted. LOL"

- Real-Web8925

"I was a child of the 70s, and wanted the Holly Hobbie version. My parents were poor and/or didn't want me cooking in my bedroom, so they dodged by pointing out it was for ages 8 and up. By the time I was 8 I was cooking real food in an actual oven so the request was dropped. Still low-key want one though, entirely to indulge my inner child."

- pepperminticecream

"Easy bake oven. Parents didn’t think it was a toy for boys. I still became a baker anyways"

- Soggy-Juggernaut-569

Mini Bike

"A mini-bike like they advertised in the Sears Christmas catalog."

- XploringTheWorld

"Same. I wanted one so bad. All the guys on my street had one and to get into the woods they drove their bikes between my house and the neighbors. On our lawn! I was so pissed off they got to do it but my dad didn’t think it was safe for a girl (in 1968)."

- SnowinMiami

Tamagotchi

Animated GIF of a Tamagotchi toy from the 1990s90S Nostalgia GIFGiphy

"Always wanted a Tamagotchi"

- DuracellCosmonaut

"They were banned at my school. I think there was a bit of controversy with them at the time."

- Maso_TGN

"I have mine! Just put fresh batteries in it a couple weeks ago and I still can’t keep the dumb thing alive 😅"

- IJustWantWaffles_87

TMNT Pizza Shooter

"The ninja turtle pizza thrower van."

- Ph33r-Enigma

"My friend brought his TMNT Pizza Shooter over. We then spent the next 2 hours shooting my older sister. I asked for one and my parents (for very good reason) told me absolutely not."

- HoopOnPoop

"I just used it to shoot pizzas at my little brother. Thing was amazing

- MrJimBusiness18

American Girl Dolls

"An American Girl doll. Loved the books so much. I've been tempted to buy myself a Samantha now that she's out again, but I like the original outfit better."

- horseruth

"I read that catalogue cover to cover every time I got it (which is back when there were only three dolls and nothing ever changed). I was convinced when I grew up and had kids, my daughter would have all three dolls, each in its own room so that the historical eras didn't get mixed up. Spoiler alert: that did not happen. No kids, and my house doesn't have three extra bedrooms to devote to dolls."

- jleebeane

Castle Greyskull

he-man GIFGiphy

"Castle Grayskull, from He-Man and the Masters of the Universe."

- Maso_TGN

"My brother had it and I played with my strawberry shortcake dolls in it."

- GlamSpam

"By The Power Of Grayskull, sacrilege!"

- Maso_TGN

"They actually made a new one recently, and it’s identical to the original 80’s one, just with modern details. You can get it here."

- IncreaseWestern6097

Rock Tumbler

"A rock tumbler"

- Picklesgal111

"I was looking for this one. We are two rocks in the tumbler together."

- Independent_Cut8651

"Not really a toy, but I’ve wanted a rock polishing kit for as long as I can remember and would ask for one every Christmas and birthday."

- awesquirrel

Pokédex

"a pokedex. I wanted one so bad, but NoOoOo, mom and dad thought pokemon was annoying"

- CptJaxxParrow

The Big Box of Crayons

"The Crayola 64-pack with the three metallic colors."

- wholewheatscythe

You may have missed out on these toys as a child, but the great thing about being an adult is that you can do what you want. If the toy you desperately wanted as a kid is still available, you are totally allowed to just go out and buy yourself one.

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