The 1980s were a time of big hair, bold fashion, and unforgettable pop culture. There’s something nostalgic about those years that still brings a smile. But beyond the iconic music and movies, there were plenty of everyday things that people rarely think about anymore.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of those forgotten ‘80s pleasures and treasures.
Saturday Morning Cartoons
With a bowl of sugary cereal in hand, kids would plop down in front of the TV first thing on Saturday mornings, ready to watch their favorite cartoons. It was a weekly tradition that kids today might not fully understand.
Today, streaming services have made cartoons available anytime, but there was something special about that Saturday ritual.
Cassette Tapes
Back then, music didn’t come with a tap of a screen. People had cassette tapes, and making a mixtape was practically an art form. Carefully selecting each song, recording them in the right order, and hoping the tape didn’t get chewed up by the player took time and patience.
Video Rental Stores
Friday nights meant a trip to the local video rental store. The aisles were filled with VHS tapes, and you checked out the back covers, debating which movie to pick. New releases were a hot commodity, and getting the last copy felt like winning the lottery.
Streaming has made movies more accessible, but it’s hard to replicate the excitement of browsing those shelves.
Pay Phones
Before everyone had a cell phone in their pocket, pay phones were a lifeline. Found on street corners, in malls, and outside gas stations, these coin-operated booths helped people stay connected. Digging for quarters and hoping the phone wasn’t broken was all part of the process. Long-distance calls cost extra, making quick conversations a necessity.
Roller Rinks
A visit to the local skating rink with music blasting from speakers overhead was a weekend highlight. The combination of neon lights, disco balls, and classic hits created an atmosphere that felt magical.
You could be racing around the rink, holding hands during couples’ skate, or just trying not to fall – it was all about having fun. It was a place where friendships formed, and first crushes often began.
School Filmstrips
Classroom technology looked a lot different back in the day. Teachers would wheel in a projector, dim the lights, and play educational film strips that sometimes felt more like entertainment than learning. Those grainy visuals had a charm of their own. If you were lucky, you got to help change the slides.
Boomboxes
You’d be the center of attention with a boombox on your shoulder. These portable stereos were loud, heavy, and undeniably cool. Playing your favorite cassette or tuning into the radio, you could bring music to any gathering. Boomboxes became symbols of street culture, especially in cities where breakdancing battles happened right on the sidewalks.
TV Guide Magazine
The only way to know what shows were airing and when meant flipping through the pages of TV Guide. With detailed listings and sneak peeks of upcoming episodes, it helped people plan their TV time.Missing a show often meant waiting weeks or months to see it again, so scheduling was essential.
Nowadays, electronic guides and streaming menus have made paper listings obsolete.
Telephone Books
Every home had at least one thick telephone book sitting near the landline. Divided into white pages for personal numbers and yellow pages for businesses, these books were essential for finding contact information. With smartphones and online directories, printed phone books have all but disappeared.
Arcade Games
Before home consoles, dropping quarters into arcade machines was a thrill like no other. The flashing lights, catchy sound effects, and competitive atmosphere made arcades the place to be. Games like Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Street Fighter tested players’ skills, while high scores earned bragging rights.
Trapper Keepers
Schoolwork felt cooler with a Trapper Keeper to help organize it. These colorful, binder-like folders had Velcro closures and pockets designed to hold everything from notes to homework assignments. With designs featuring everything from neon patterns to popular cartoons, it reflected its owner’s personality.
Waterbeds
To sleep on a waterbed was a unique experience. Filled with gallons of water, these beds offered a floating sensation that some people found incredibly relaxing. Moving around caused gentle waves, and adjusting to the motion took a bit of practice. Leaks could turn into disasters, and setting one up wasn’t exactly quick.
Despite their decline in popularity, the memory of drifting off to sleep on gentle waves still lingers.
Milk Carton Missing Person Ads
A missing child’s face on a milk carton was a sobering reminder of real-world dangers when you opened a fridge door in the ‘80s. It raised awareness about missing kids and encouraged the public to help find them.
Though the images were heartbreaking, they sparked conversations and sometimes led to breakthroughs in cases. Advances in technology shifted the way these cases are publicized, but those milk carton ads remain etched in the minds of many.
Candy Cigarettes
Just holding a candy cigarette between your fingers felt like the ultimate act of rebellion. These chalky, sweet sticks looked like the real thing, making kids feel a little more grown-up as they puffed out harmless powdered sugar “smoke.” Found in corner stores and vending machines, they were a playground staple.
Typing on a Typewriter
Each keystroke on an old-school typewriter was rewarded with a satisfying click, and the sound of the carriage returning became almost musical. Unlike modern keyboards, there was no backspace for quick fixes—mistakes had to be carefully corrected with white-out. Typing a perfect page felt like an accomplishment. Though computers have taken over, the tactile feel and rhythmic clatter of typewriters still holds a certain nostalgic charm.
Metal Lunch Boxes with Cartoon Characters
To carry a metal lunch box to school was more than a way to transport your peanut butter and jelly sandwich, it was a statement. Featuring popular cartoons, each design reflected a kid’s personality. The clink of the metal latch opening, the Thermos snug inside, and the occasional dent from playground adventures, made each lunch box uniquely yours. Plastic versions have taken over, but don’t have the same character.