No matter when you grew up, you’re bound to have fond memories of the toys you played with. Many people don’t realize that these can still bring you joy as an adult, as they can be sold for a small fortune! Here are 20 toys from when you were young that are now worth a lot.
Lego
According to The Guardian, Lego appreciates in value faster than gold, so you might be sitting on a treasure trove of plastic blocks. There’s a high demand for discontinued sets, especially ones from Lego’s Star Wars line. Next time you step on a Lego brick, dull the pain by considering your potential profits.
Beanie Babies
Prospectors once went crazy for Beanie Babies, hoping that their investment would pay off years into the future. Unfortunately for them, only the rarest Beanie Baby variations are valuable today. However, it’s still important to check which ones you have—big-ticket Beanie Babies can sell for up to $500,000!
Barbies
Even before Margot Robbie catapulted Barbie to the top of the box office, Barbie dolls demanded high prices from the most dedicated collectors. Barbie’s original 1959 iteration typically sells for $25–30,000. You’d better hope that no one in your family asks for this doll for Christmas!
My Little Pony
The My Little Pony toy line has been around since the 80s, but a boom in interest during the 2010s drove up the demand for these cute figurines. 1982’s Blue Belle can fetch well over $1000, so be sure to turn these little ponies into one big payout.
Star Wars Kenner Figures
On Christmas morning in 1977, many children opened a certificate guaranteeing the eventual delivery of Kenner Star Wars figures—the company hadn’t actually produced them in time for the holiday. However, those patient kids could now be in line for a nice haul, as some Kenner figures can sell for over $10,000.
Furbies
While no one seems quite sure what species Furbies are (birds, maybe rodents), they’re definitely worth their weight in gold. With the rarest (the Bejewelled Furbie) being worth over $1000, it might now be possible to pay for the therapy that these creepy little creatures have no doubt made necessary.
Cabbage Patch Kids
The Cabbage Patch Kids may be ugly, but they’re popular among both children and adult collectors. Signed and special edition dolls are particularly valuable, with some fetching thousands on the aftermarket. Baseball fans should look out for the All-Star Stadium MLB Detroit doll, which is worth nearly $10,000.
Atari’s ET. the Extra-terrestrial Cartridge
Atari’s ET (1982) is often blamed for decimating the Western video game industry. It was so unpopular that many cartridges were actually buried in the desert, and the BBC called it “one of the worst of all time.” However, presumably ironic contemporary demand means that copies of the game now sell for over $1000 each.
GI Joes
Since his debut in 1964, America’s favorite poseable plastic agent has been protecting the world from the evil Cobra Command. He’s also been protecting sellers from bankruptcy, as unopened figures can more or less pay off a mortgage. For instance, a sealed GI Joe space shuttle set sold for $40,000 in 2023!
Transformers
Hasbro’s Transformers are known for morphing from robots into cars, but they’ve also transformed from childhood favorites into solid investments. Thanks to a community of diehard collectors, rare Transformers can command mind-boggling prices—mint condition Optimus Prime figures have sold for more than $12,000.
Pokemon Cards
While most Pokemon cards aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on, a few exceptions mean that it’s well worth flicking through your old collection in search of treasure. Unfortunately, card prices vary wildly—an ultra-rare Charizard card dropped in value from $420,000 to around $170,000, leaving unlucky recent buyers in the lurch.
Pez Dispensers
You might think that the candy inside a Pez dispenser is more exciting than the plastic packaging, but many collectors would disagree. In fact, they’re willing to back up their perspective with cold, hard cash, and the rarest Pez dispensers can go for up to $2000.
Super Mario Bros Cartridges
Mario is a popular video game mascot, but how much would you pay for one of his adventures? Shockingly, the New York Times reported that a sealed copy of the plumber’s home console debut sold for $2 million. If you’ve got one of your own at home, it’s game over for your money worries.
Hot Wheels Cars
If you spent your childhood damaging your mom’s hardwood floors by racing Hot Wheels over them, selling your collection could help you pay for repairs and then some. The 1969 Pink “Beach Bomb” VW Bus is worth around $175,000. For reference, full-sized ’60s VW buses are sold for half that much!
American Girl Dolls
American Girl dolls are designed to be long-lasting toys that can be passed from generation to generation. They’re also popular among collectors. One especially enthusiastic fan spent a whopping $20,000 on a single doll, and it’s not uncommon to see rare figures on sale for $1000–2000.
Easy-Bake Ovens
Easy-bake ovens are no doubt responsible for kickstarting many culinary careers, and they’re also worth a tidy sum of money themselves. Collectors are willing to shell out top dollar for specific models, with those from the nineties being especially popular. Go on—dig out your old Easy-Bake Oven and get some bread!
Troll Dolls
We’re as surprised as you are that anyone would pay money for these horrible creatures, let alone a small fortune. Nonetheless, the Stylist uncovered Troll Dolls being sold for over $100 each. Selling your old Troll Dolls is a win-win: it nets you some cash and gets them out of your house!
Playmobil
Playmobil may not be as popular as its competitor, Lego, but that doesn’t mean that collectors aren’t ready to empty their wallets in exchange for rare sets. For example, sealed copies of a 1989 rollercoaster set are listed for over $10,000, so it’s still worth checking your collection for any hidden gems.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Figures
Renamed the ‘Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles’ in the UK over fears around the word ‘ninja’, these pizza-loving amphibians still enjoy popularity among children and adults alike. The toys can also be worth a pretty penny: 1994’s trenchcoat-toting Undercover Raphael is worth around $3500.
Steiff Bears
Steiff Bears aren’t cheap even when they’re new, so it’s no surprise that these beautiful toys can command some ridiculous prices in collector’s circles. A bear released to commemorate the loss of the Titanic is now worth nearly $132,000. Bear this in mind if you ever consider throwing yours out.
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