You can indeed earn money from old stuff, which explains the existence of vintage, antique, and thrift shops scattered everywhere in the world. But when we talk about outdated things that are good enough to find new owners, daggy old toys aren’t usually the first things to come to mind.
The ‘80s certainly was the heyday of films, parties, music, fashion statements, and pop culture in general. This includes the toys that were popular in that decade. But who would have thought that toys from nearly 40 years ago – video games, plastic dolls, action figures, you name it – are lucrative in today’s day and age? Indeed, if you want to earn yourself a small fortune, now’s the right time to sell those childhood toys your mom’s been preserving in your room back home.
We listed ten toys below and rated how much they are worth today. Our collective breath was taken away by each valuation. Whether these treasures belong to you or your parents, prepare to go rummaging through dusty storage boxes in the basement when you see how much you can get for them! Just don’t forget to enjoy yourself as the nostalgia washes over you.
This cutesy cartoon set of tiny horse dolls is still incredibly popular today, although the ‘80s version was quite different in appearance. They come in different colors, with cute names, such as Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Spike, and a bunch of supporting characters like Scootaloo, Gabby, and Apple Bloom.
Given that these adorable dolls are still in demand among kids, how much more do you think the old ones would cost?
The original version of the Rapunzel pony, which had golden hair and a pink body – truly the embodiment of the Disney princess – can be sold for around $900 (depending on its condition).
These toy cars were among the best to come out in the ‘80s. Each came with different car models, including wide tracks, and in turn, provided an extended fun time for zealous kids. In spite of the advent of technology today, Hot Wheels remains a favorite of children around the globe.
That being said, we’re hoping you haven’t thrown all of yours out for good as they are worth more than you might think. And we’re serious when we say some of these models can be sold for upwards of $3,500.
My Buddy Doll was released in the ‘80s, and according to reports, was among the first doll-style toys to be marketed to boys. The children of today can play with whatever they want, but this ‘80s doll helped in initializing the trend.
The toy is a male doll wearing red overalls and a rainbow-striped sweater. It was a favorite back in the day, and its catchy theme song certainly helped in attracting consumers. If one of these dolls is tucked away among your old stuff, now is a great time to dig him up. If you don’t, you’ll lose the chance to score $90 on eBay.
This toy kickstarted the emergence of modern dollhouses. It had two colors, though the yellow one was considered the classier one. If yours (or your mom’s) is still in pristine condition, and specifically in its original box, the yellow Fisher-Price Little People Family House could earn you around $200 on eBay (a site that has become the hub for making bank on the toys you played with when you were a kid).
The Rainbow Brite Doll was the rival of the Strawberry Shortcake Dolls in the ‘80s. It began only as an adorable tiny character found on greeting cards. But while it was dubbed as a knock-off, it undeniably was among the most popular toys four decades ago.
While we’re at it, you really should take the blonde doll out again from that dusty basement of yours. You or your parents may have forgotten about it, but now is the time to cash it in for at least $100 on eBay.
Care Bears are comfortable to snuggle with. They’re fluffy, they’re cute, plus those adorable patterns printed on their tummies add to their overall adorableness. Interestingly enough, it’s not only the current generation of children who play with these cuddly toys but the kids from ‘80s as well.
If you happened to have collected a lot of the Care Bears when you were young, let us remind you that those years of hard work are finally paying off! If you took good care of your bears, collections can be worth more than $7,500! With that colossal amount, you could start collecting another set of items that will bring you a fortune in the next three to five decades.
The Glitter and Gold Jem Doll was unveiled after the knockout success of Jem and the Holograms, a cartoon that ran from 1985 to 1988. In spite of its short-lived airtime, its massive popularity translated well with the toy, meaning it’s now worth a fortune.
If you have a Glitter and Gold Jem Doll in good condition, preferably in the packaging, a buyer from eBay may give you at least $200 for it.
The ever-popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles gang debuted in the ‘80s and are still going strong today. Nowadays, there aren’t only action figures but also movies, games, TV series, and all sorts of merchandise. While many fans believe that the films were collectively a cool upgrade, let’s not forget where the Ninja Turtles came from and who they were before these A-OK adaptations.
What we’re saying is, your or your folks’ old Ninja Turtle merchandise, specifically those action figures, can be priced at up to $200 each on eBay. If you have a full collection of them, lucky you! You can earn over $1,000!
Transformers stuff was a megahit in the ‘80s. These classic finds are costly, which is a good thing if you’re considering selling some of your old childhood collection.
One of the most famous ‘80s toys was the Megatron gun. It had various versions that were released in Japan and the US, and its most notable feature was that it looked real. If you have one in your storage box, and still in mint condition (especially if it’s been safely kept inside the original box), you can earn about $4,000.
While that figure may look exciting, let’s be honest here: with a toy gun so cool, it’s highly unlikely that you (or your ‘80s dad) just kept it inside its container. If it’s been well-used, the price you're offered will be lower.
Batman and many other comic book superheroes and villains are among the most popular characters in history. Nowadays, we have a plethora of Marvel films, as well as DC movie adaptations. Batman is a hugely famous superhero, even up to this day. Whether you’re ten years old or 95, it’s highly possible for you to say your fave superhero is none other than the Caped Crusader.
We’re pretty sure you or your folks have Batman items hidden somewhere in that piled up storage room or garage. But keep in mind, the Mego Elastic Batman will get you not just a few bucks but a huge amount of cash! The toy was unveiled in 1979, but it hit its prime in the ‘80s. Run and get yours if you have one because you could earn yourself as much as $15,000 for it!