These Toys From Your Childhood Are Worth A Lot Of Money

Stocks and bonds have long been considered sound investments if you’re willing to patiently sit on them for years and years. But what about other commodities that gain value over time, such as…toys? Yes, toys! Do you still own toys from your childhood? If so, you might be sitting on a goldmine.

Check whether your Tamagotchis, Barbies, and other popular toys from yesteryear are some of the rare kind; you might just get lucky and make a fortune. It’s not as hard as you might think, as many of what ended up being called “limited edition” or “rare” toys were commonly sold in stores worldwide. Check out these pictures that you’re about to see, and if you happen to have any of these toys laying around your home, you might be floored by just how valuable they are…

Masters Of The Universe Eternia Playset

He-Man and his gang often fought to save Eternia from the likes of Skeletor. Because the show became such a great success, action figures of He-Man, his friends, and his enemies were made, but so were toys of the fantastical world they defended. But the Eternia playset was only made for a year (between 1986 and 1987).

And that’s exactly why all three figures from the set can sell anywhere between $1500 and $1900. One of the three towers goes for $550, and a single piece sells for $50.

G.I. Joe Action Figures

G.I. Joe was introduced by Hasbro in 1964. It took no time for this figurine to become a hot ticket item, nor was it a surprise when collectors made this part of their inventory. And even though it may not be as popular as it used to be, there are still people willing to pay some serious cash for these action figures.

A prototype sold for $200,000 at an auction in 2003. The Missile Command Center was purchased for $17,500, and even other characters from the series went for ten big ones.

McDonald’s Happy Meal Toys

Can you imagine selling the tiny toys you got for free in your McDonald’s kid’s meals for actual money? Well, that has become a thing, especially for those who want to collect all the old-time, limited edition characters that McDonald’s used to manufacture and give out (for no money at all). You wouldn’t believe how much people are willing to pay for them.

Some individual toys sell for $100 each, while the rarer ones, like the McFurby, are going for almost $1000, depending on the condition. All you need to do is find a collector.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Cards

The story of Yugi and the Pharaoh that resided in him or his millennium puzzle piece is one that had viewers gripped since the very first episode. Add in the incredible card game the show introduced (Duel Monsters) and you had a fad the boys, girls, teens, and even adults got into.

In the series, certain cards like the Egyptian God cards, the Dark Magician (Yugi’s favorite), and the Blue Eyes White Dragon were among the most popular. In mint condition, the Blue Eyes can sell for $6000.

Disney VHS Tapes

Any kids from the late ‘80s to early 2000s will know about Disney’s VHS tapes. They were classic necessities that were required in almost every household because who didn’t love Disney? And these beloved movies, although available online or via Apple TV now, are still hot ticket items despite cassette players having been made redundant.

The Black Diamond version of Beauty and the Beast could fetch you anywhere between $1000 and $9000. In 2018, a banned cover of The Little Mermaid went for just under $4300.

Lite-Brite

Lite-Brite is a game that everyone played with at least once during their time in Kindergarten. It was sort of like an electronic Etch-a-Sketch, where people could put colored lights into an electronic board to create a colorful picture. The device came with some outlines to help, but you could create your own images too.

This device was invented in 1967 and enjoyed some time in popularity, but it’s being sold for only $310 online. For an older electronic device, this seems surprising.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Action Figures

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were first popularized because of the comic books, which turned into a TV series. Then came the clothes, followed by the toys. Live-action movies are still being made so many years later. And it’s because these four brothers and their stories amazed so many fans.

Individually, depending on the toy, you can get almost $1000; a new 1994 Undercover Raphael went for $700, while a set of four Playmates figures were sold for $800. It all depends on who you’ve got and the condition of the toys.

Super Soakers

No late ‘90s to early ’00s childhood was complete without a Super Soaker fight in someone’s backyard. These toys are still being made today, but with much better upgrades and even larger water capacities. But the earliest ones are being sold for some really good change, if you can find a collector.

Rare ones can get you $300 online, and the still-boxed vintage ones can go for even more. There was one that made it into the Guinness Book of World Records, as it was in excellent condition, and it sold for nearly $500.

Lego Trains

No one knew how successful the world’s most famous building blocks would be when they were first introduced in 1949. Decades later, Lego is still relevant and creating superhero movies with the likes of Batman and Aquaman. And it’s probably why some of their products have been collectors’ items.

And we’re talking about the Lego train sets. The Steam Cargo, the Diesel Freight Train, and the High-Speed City Express Train can go as low as $1500 to as high as $3000.

Ultra Rare Pokemon Cards

Pokemon cards aren’t actually that vintage; they were first created in 1996 in Japan and become a worldwide hit quickly after. Today, the truest of fans are still collecting these cards, and because of the demand, some of them are expensive enough to buy a car. Or even a tiny house. At a September 2016 auction, a PSA 10 Charizard sold for a whopping $11,999.

And that’s not even the most shocking example. In November of that same year, a Pikachu Illustrator card was sole for almost $55,000 at another auction.

Classic Nintendo NES Console

Nintendo games are very well-loved in the gaming community on every continent. The consoles are still being bought like crazy, and new models are being made every few years. But some of the old ones still exist, and if you have one, you can get upwards of $1000 for one.

And you can get even more if you have the original games, like The Legend of Zelda or Super Mario Brothers. When you think about it, this old console is worth more than some of the best laptops on the market today.

Garbage Pail Kids Cards

The Garbage Pail Kids were a series of trading cards released in the mid-’80s. The idea behind them was to make fun of Cabbage Patch Dolls, other toys that were extremely popular at the time. But they ended up being a huge hit! And they’re now worth tons of money.

The opened ones are not worth much, but the unopened rare ones? You’re in for such a treat. We’ve seen cases where cardholders have gotten a few thousand for one: we’re talking $4000 for a card.

1982 Skeletor Action Figure

Kids of the eighties and nineties will know all about He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. His adventures to protect his world against the evil Skeletor had kids and adults hooked. So it’s really no surprise that some of the rare toys are now being collected by the show’s truest fans.

A vintage 1982 Skeletor Action Figure complete with the sword and staff can get you over $1500. It’s much more shocking because this villain’s toy goes for more than a couple hundred dollars more than the hero’s ($1000).

Toy Story Toys

There’s nothing really vintage about Toy Story. In fact, most millennials were probably teens or pre-teens when the first movie came out. But there was a craze associated with this film’s premise that toys would talk when we (the kids and adults) were away. And so, toys were made. Toys that are now very valuable.

Research shows that a Buzz Lightyear toy in mint condition can collect $550 easily, while Woody goes for just a few dollars more. But the memorabilia can also fetch you a pretty penny; the alien USB webcam sold for almost $700.

Boba Fett Action Figure

If you’re an avid Star Wars fan, then you’ll know who Boba Fett is. This bounty hunter of the stars is still one of the most sought-after Star Wars figurines on the market, which is why, when found, it pays more than a couple thousand. The better the condition, the more the price goes up.

A boxed or mint-condition Boba Fett can go for $5000. If you can find other members of the Star Wars crew, you can walk away with someone’s yearly salary.

The Original Easy Bake Oven

The original Easy Bake Oven was introduced in 1963, more than 50 years ago. It was placed on the market right before Christmas of that year and quickly became the toy that every little girl around America (and soon, the world) wanted to have. This tiny faux kitchen was not very expensive when it came out, but now, you can get thousands for it online.

An original could get you $4000: that’s right, enough to buy more than one real, working, pie-baking oven. If you can get your hands on a few, you’ll be set for a few months.

Vintage Colorforms

We say vintage Colorforms because these toys are still being made today. They were first invented in 1951. In earlier times, the company would release special versions, some of which included Pacman. And as the years have gone by, the prices of these vintage toys (those from the fifties and sixties) have gone up.

Now, you can get anywhere from a couple hundred to $300 for one. There are even those that can sell for nearly $400 (but those have to be sealed in their original boxes).

Air Jordans

Now we understand that Air Jordans aren’t toys, but they were the shoes every single little boy and girl who watched Space Jam wanted, or, for that matter, any man or woman who was a fan of Michael Jordan. The basketball star even sold a pair of these that he wore during the 1997 NBA Finals, and you wouldn’t believe the price they went for.

Michael Jordan sold his 1997 finals shoes for $104,000. The second most expensive pair went for $100,000 and were inspired by Canadian rapper Drake.

Cabbage Patch Kids

The Cabbage Patch Kids dolls were first released in 1978 and became a worldwide phenomenon soon after. But certain dolls were special and limited edition, and the very first ones are extremely valuable. There are even those with yarn-like red hair that are extremely rare and could make you tons of money.

Based on eBay listings, these old-school dolls can go for $100 a doll to $1500 for the earlier versions. So, it may be a good idea to look around at the ones you have to see how much you can get.

Original Monopoly

Monopoly is a game about making money, and it should come as no surprise that the original 1933 version of the game is really expensive. First editions of any old item that rose to popularity are probably going to bring in a fair amount of cash, and the fact that this game is still being played today only increases its value to collectors.

The game set is selling for an outstanding price of $146,500, with later or special editions fetching their own (lesser) prices.

Hot Wheels

Every kid probably had at least one or two Hot Wheels car models in their house. There were so many varieties that it could be hard to know if you really had anything particularly rare until many years later, when certain units were revealed to have a low production run.

These little cars have prices that vary widely, but the most expensive one is the “1969 Volkswagen Beach Bomb,” which is selling for $125,000.

Mario Kart 64

Getting money for old toys and games all depends on the condition those items are in. Take Mario Kart 64 for example, which was released just over 20 years ago in 1977. A used one will not get you much: only $25. But that number can be multiplied ten-fold if it’s factory sealed.

Can you imagine having 10 or 20 of these factory sealed games lying around? Your bank account will thank you for the extra $2500 to $5000.

Jurassic Park Toys

If you’re a hardcore dinosaur fan, then you might have seen the old-school Jurassic Park movies where we learned about T-Rex and other raptors. And now, actor Chris Pratt has brought it all back in the new Jurassic World films. It’s probably why the old-school toys are finally worth something.

Depending on the creature you have, you can get anywhere from $1000 to $2000 for the boxed toys. The prototypes that didn’t make it to production are even more expensive.

Princess Diana Beanie Baby

The Princess Diana Beanie Baby was a special edition plush toy that was released mere months after the tragic car accident that resulted in the royal’s death. The company created different versions, but the very first is called the ghost version. And those are the ones that can get you the big bucks.

These plushies can go for $1000. But they have to be in top shape. Also, it’s important to look out for fakes; the rose embroidery is a good place to start.

Strawberry Shortcake Dolls

Strawberry Shortcake Dolls were such a big hit back in the day that it’s surprising that they’re not worth more today. But if you have a collection, you can get a nice chunk of change for selling these dolls online. The more common dolls are worth $15, while the rarer ones are $100 or above.

Dolls like Banana Twirl, Plum Pudding, Mint Tulip, Peach Blush, and Orange Blossom can go for a few hundred depending on their condition. Vintage accessories make them go for even higher.

Molly McIntire American Girl Doll

The average American Girl Doll is only worth about $100 on the market today. The retired ones are what people are looking for, as those are worth the most money. Molly McIntire in particular is worth a few thousand, if the auction she sold at recently is anything to go by.

She and any other member of the first set to be produced in 1986 are the ones that’ll get you that kind of money. But they have to be in great condition: no haircuts or added makeup.

Spice Girls Dolls

The Spice Girls were one of the biggest girl groups of the ’90s and early 2000s. All five of its members had their own fans, and the group as a whole had even more, which is why multiple editions of the dolls were made. But it’s the first that can bring in the most money.

The entire collection with all five girls can rake in a few hundred dollars. So, on their own, you probably won’t make much, but the group can get you a really nice dinner at a fancy restaurant.

Digimon Cards

Not only was Digimon a pretty great series, but it also had an amazing theme song. Sure it had to go up against the likes of Pokemon, but it found its market, and there are still tons of fans today. A rare card is one thing, but the complete collection? Enough for a nice weekend in a neighboring city.

The singular rare cards will get you $100 apiece. The collections go for $1000 all the way up to $2000. And if you can get your hands on some holographic ones? You’re all set!

Easy Bake Oven Super Treat Center

There was the original Easy Bake Oven, and then there was the ultra-rare Easy Bake Oven Super Treat Center. The actual Easy Bake can go for hundreds right now. The Super Treat Center includes a soda pump, a chocolate candy maker, an ice cream maker, and a popsicle maker. It also includes a whole bunch of stations where you can make fondue, root beer, and more, allowing for hours of entertainment.

And that’s why the various parts can get you a few hundred dollars. The entire thing can get you $1000 or more online. Oh, and there’s probably a bonus if you hand over the list of recipes that you can create with it.

G.I. Joe Motorized Battle Tank

Now here’s an unexpected treasure that not many people thought could get you an entire car in the 2010s. Used, this 1982 toy is not worth much at all: you’ll only get $25 if the item has been toyed with. But if you have one that is sealed and in mint condition? Brace yourself.

Unused and sealed, it can sell for as much as $13,750! Others have been known to sell for $6500, which is still a great price considering not even 5% of that was used to purchase the toy in the first place.

She-Ra And Swiftwind Action Figure Pack

She-Ra was one of the members of He-Man’s epic superhero squad. And she had a huge fanbase of her own. So a toy including her trusty steed was created. Now the value of this toy all depends on whether you can deliver it to the collector in its original box…and of course, the condition of the box matters.

If you can deliver on all of the above, you can get a cool $4000 for this toy. If you collected this as well as a few other select He-Man toys, you can have many, many thousands to play with.

Fireball Island

Fireball Island isn’t a cocktail, it is a board game that was really popular in the eighties. It has since been re-made, and even that version can make you a little bit of change. But if you can get the original one in its original packaging? Be prepared to smile a little wider.

The repackaged version is worth about $70. The original one can go for $400 or more if you can find the right buyer.

Transformers Action Figures

Some people don’t know this, but Transformers toys were around long before the movies came out in the 2000s and made Optimus and Bumblebee superstars. These toys were major hits in the ’80s, and their worth has since skyrocketed. Opened, they’re not worth much, but unopened and kept in great condition?

Optimus Prime alone can sell for a couple thousand dollars on eBay. So can you imagine if you have a box set complete with Bumblebee and possibly a few Decepticons?

Atari 2600 Games

The Atari 2600 was one of the first video game consoles on the market. It has since been replaced by the likes of the PlayStation and the Xbox, but it’s still a collector’s item. But just as the console is valuable, so are some of its games. In fact, you’d be surprised to find out how much you can get for one specific Atari game.

As far as we know, the Air Raid game is the most valuable game. A used one can get you a whopping $13,000. But brand new? A brand new Air Raid game that’s still in the box is worth more than $33,000.

Baseball Cards

Baseball cards have been a thing for over 100 years now. And the older original ones only get more valuable as time passes. The funny thing is that many weren’t very well drawn. But the money you can get for them is enough to buy an almost $3 million house. Yes, you read that correctly.

Cards of Honus Wagner “Sweet Caporal,” produced between 1909 and 1911, are literally worth millions. Only 200 of them were printed, and one of them recently sold for $2.8 million.

Sky Dancers

Do you remember the beautiful little dolls with the strings that you had to pull to make them take flight? Well, those were called Sky Dancers, and they sold like hot cakes back in the day. But what made them so amazing was also what made them dangerous, and a lot of them were recalled when people realized they could poke someone’s eye out.

But that also meant that not many exist today, so the price skyrocketed. Online, these go for $80 per toy. Can you imagine cashing ten or more of these in?

Pogs

Let’s face the facts when it comes to Pogs. These toys were cardboard coins with pictures on them. And we’re pretty sure they sold for next to nothing. Today, some of the sets can make you a nice batch of change, but it all depends on what you’ve got: like the Marilyn Monroe set.

The batch with that blonde beauty can go for at least $1,000. Rumor has it that a Jurassic Park set (with the holographic coins and slammer) went for a whopping $1 million.

Webkinz

Many people are unfamiliar with Webkinz, and that’s because they didn’t get their start on television or comic books or even inside stores. Along with playing in the virtual Webkinz world, which not many knew about, these toys can also be bought, and it turns out they’re worth a few hundred.

They’re still available right now, some as low as $10, so it’s quite the surprise that some go for $500 to $600. A collection of rare Webkinz even went for a staggering $5000.

Polly Pocket

The Polly Pocket launched back in 1998, and the toy set was a staple for girls and young children everywhere immediately upon its release. As always, the condition of the toy matters when it comes to resale; no haircuts or makeup are allowed in order to fetch the max price.

A sealed box can be sold for $600 on eBay. Can you believe this? Some tiny older toys are worth more than your rent!

Vintage 1959 Barbie

If your mother ever bought you a Barbie doll or even a Ken when you were younger, then you should list it online; there are a huge number of rare or unique Barbies that lined the shelves of regular stores, and people didn’t know their value until much later after their release.

Some of the vintage versions, like the one pictured from the rare and low-production 1959 line, are worth a whopping $23,000 online!

Tamagotchi

Do you remember ever getting a Tamagotchi? This toy taught kids just how difficult it can be to raise an animal; in fact, for many kids, it was likely their first pet. From playing with it to picking up its poop, the little pixel creature on the screen needed constant attention.

The old toy is being used as an accessory by celebrities nowadays, thus making the small bauble worth somewhere around $3,000 apiece.

Teddy Ruxpin

Teddy Ruxpin started being sold in stores back in the 1980s, and it was a rather popular gift for children of all ages and genders. Who doesn’t love a cuddly teddy bear with a wide smile? He also came with exciting accesories like cassettes and books, which was a great bargain.

He might look just like any other regular stuffed animal, but the fluffy teddy bear is now worth $400 if he’s in good condition.

Pez

Pez used to produce the most popular candy dispensers in the world at one point in time. Their colorful tubes were eye-catching, and children and adults alike loved the unique but familiar characters whose heads sat on top of the dispensers. It felt like a race to see who could collect the coolest one!

Nowadays, their value varies by their rarity. Some of these tiny plastic tubes can see prices as high as $175. Isn’t this incredible?

1978 Luke Skywalker

Star Wars fans are serious about their toys, and who can blame them? The daring and dashing heroes, from Luke to Han and Chewie, are all iconic when it comes to one of the most famous franchises in history. Star Wars action figures were some of the most popular toys sold at the time surrounding the movie releases.

The original 1978 Luke Skywalker toy figurine is now being sold for $25,000 at the famous Sotheby’s, but other Star Wars toys that are in good condition also retain significant value.

Peanut The Royal Blue Elephant

This is not a toy in the sense of an action figure or anything like that; it’s actually a baby beanie that is designed to look like a blue elephant. In this case, it’s not the toy itself but rather its rarity that makes Peanut so special and such a huge find as a collector’s item.

The item is being sold at $5,000. There are only 2,000 units of this beanie in the world, which makes it super rare.

Pokemon For Nintendo Gameboy

Did you play the original Pokemon game on your Nintendo Gameboy? There are few who didn’t, since the series is such an iconic part of pop culture in the last few decades. By chance, do you still have the game? If your answer is yes, then you are one step closer to becoming rich.

The game is selling for $405 apiece. Of course, this assumes good condition, and your price will go up for an item that is still unopened.

Furby

Remember the suddenly super popular Furby toy? You wouldn’t have been the first by a long shot to think that the fluffy little interactive animals were creepy. It was just something with the eyes. If you still have one or two of your old Furbies sitting around, check out which ones you’ve got, because you might be in for some money.

The original version of the toy that was manufactured in 1998 is selling for $700. It’s a solid chunk of change to get rid of those creepy eyes staring back at you.

World Barbies

This might shock you, because you probably threw all your old Barbie toys out, but it’s not just particularly old models that are worth a lot of money. Some of the rarer makes of Barbie and Ken dolls, like the World collection, can fetch quite a pretty penny at auction with the right buyer.

One toy that comes from the “World Barbies” series is worth $20,000; make sure to check which dolls you have to ensure you’re not missing out on a great cash opportunity.

My Little Pony Figurines

These little toys shaped like horses are sought after by collectors; it’s not just those famous “Bronies” that are ofter these. They’re a common collector’s item for those interested in old toys because of their widespread popularity. Some models were rarer than others, and collectors have their own preferences as well.

The My Little Pony figures that are in perfect condition can sell for up to $600, but even those with a little wear can still fetch a nice price.

Action Comics No. 1

The pristine version of this comic from 1938 where Superman was introduced is priced at $3.2 million! Can you believe this? Then again, this is probably only to be expected, since the introduction of Superman was such an iconic and important moment in popular culture. He’s such a famous superhero!

To make things even crazier, there are only 50 copies of the comic in the entire world; Nicolas Cage is said to own one.

Fisher Price’s Push Cart Pete

Fisher Price’s Push Cart Pete was manufactured in 1936, and this makes it a sought-after collector’s item. Both its age and its role as an introductory force into the company’s production of children’s toys keep the price high for this rare collectible. Fisher Price has gone on to be a powerhouse for kids’ toys.

Even though this toy might not look like something all that amazing and complicated, it’s still priced at a whopping $3,000.

Nintendo Game Boy

If you still have a functional Game Boy from the ’90s, then you should make sure to post it on eBay! Older systems that remain playable in fine condition can fetch an attractive price, and that’s all the more true with consoles that also come with games if you have any around.

If you’re looking at getting rid of your old model Game Boy, the selling price ranges between $750 and $1,500 depending on condition.

Wonder Bread He-Man

Did you love watching the old He-Man cartoons? If you did, you probably jumped at the chance to find a real He-Man toy inside your Wonder Bread purchase when you went to the store with your parents. If you still have this toy from when you were a kid, collectors are willing to pay a nice amount for it.

If you want to sell online, then you are in luck, because the Wonder Bread He-Man fetches prices of around $1,000 online.

Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone

J.K. Rowling signed a bunch of first edition copies of the Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone books (that’s what they’re called in the UK, they’ll have the “Sorcerer’s Stone” title in America). If you somehow have one of these first print copies in your library, it may be worth parting with it.

If you’re willing to part with your copy, you can nab a whopping $15,000 for it! Just make sure you’re trying to sell the Philosopher’s Stone version; the equivalent signed Sorcerer’s Stone isn’t worth as much.