The learning aid was the first to use digital signal processing, which converted analog sound information into speech capable of teaching kids both the proper spelling and pronunciation of a word. The 10 original Care Bears, which wear belly badges to denote their personalities, were intended to be American Greetings card characters in 1981 until they became plush, stuffed Parker Brothers dolls in 1983. Though relaunched a handful of times throughout the years with new names, books, and films, the soft and furry fad slowly faded by the turn of the century. Children of the 1980s, read on to see if any of your favourites made our list of 30 toys that defined the decade.
The 1980s plastic version, which led to a number of injured ankles, was a vast improvement over the metal ones released in the ’50s. While the danger didn’t deter kids from bouncing around the neighbourhood, Nickelodeon made safety updates for a resurgence in the ’90s. Strong trampolines equal bigger, smoother bouncing for the whole family. Good thing our new Jumpflex™ Hero 12ft trampoline has an innovative dual ring frame, which makes this range of trampolines our strongest and most stable ever. These 12ft trampolines are engineered using high-tensile steel that will never buckle or lose shape, achieved through a world leading zero bolt, zero weld approach.
Milton Bradley inspired a phenomenon when it launched the deceptively simple Simon console at New York’s Studio 54 in 1978. Simon, which sold for the equivalent of $96, was designed as both a single- and multi-player memory game that required users to press four colored buttons while repeating an increasingly longer sequence of lights and sounds. The simplicity of the original Simon inspired multiple generations of the game, including the Simon Optix, a wearable headset that flashes lights before the user’s eyes. Hallmark Cards introduced Rainbow Brite—who brought happiness and colour wherever she went—as an animated series in 1984. Mattel took the reigns for merchandising, and the Rainbow Brite dolls, with their vibrant hair, along with her trusted steed Starlite, became must-have toys for young girls. Rainbow Brite was Mattel’s most successful product to that point, spawning multiple movies, books, TV shows, and more, with a marketing budget of $35 million in 1985.
This means that the structure of the frame can withstand heavy use and won’t twist or warp with repeated jumping by excited kids—a must when it comes to trampolines. Some of the toys that defined the time have crazy stories about them. Take, for example, shopping for a Cabbage Patch Kids doll around Christmas in 1983, which meant parents were putting their safety at risk with the many riots that ensued, which went to inspire an HBO documentary.
The 15’ Round Trampoline With Enclosure is a well-made, solid product, especially when you consider the lower price. It’s certainly one of the better traditional round trampolines we’ve seen in its price range. Cabbage Patch Kids dolls were one of the most popular toys in the 1980s, generating nearly $2 billion in sales during the decade.
A couple of the toys that defined the time have crazy stories about them. If you’re looking for complete control in both takeoff and landing, you’ll want a rectangular trampoline. Not coincidentally, professional gymnasts choose rectangular trampolines over other shapes. You’ve probably noticed there are trampolines that can be built into the ground. Basically, you dig a hole, install the trampoline, and the kids jump as if they are on the ground, but with more bounce. There is no proof that this actually lowers the risk of injury, though, since the frame and the springs can still present a safety hazard.
Join us for an immersive experience like nothing you’ve seen, heard or felt before. From the adrenaline-pumping Beat Saber to the chaotic world of VR Rabbids, play the latest and greatest in social VR here. bounce pro trampoline Take a pro-level bowling alley, add a state-of-the-art electronic scoring system, rocking surround sound entertainment system, and cosmic bowling and you’ve got the Main Event bowling experience.
The netting is soft and malleable—important for those times when kids get bounced into it. Once the netting was erected, though, there were some questions as to the durability of the material. As we unboxed each piece of the Skywalker, it became clear that this trampoline, while on the skywalker trampolines lower end of the price scale, is still constructed with durability in mind. The metal legs of the frame are made with rust-resistant galvanized steel and feel simultaneously lightweight and hefty. Some of that sturdiness is due to the design, which incorporates reinforced T-sockets.
Extra safety features mean a safer jumping experience for kids and a breath of relief for parents. Instead, Skywalker trampolines have safety enclosures, to ensure jumpers don’t fall out. And like every other trampoline, each Skywalker trampoline has a weight limit. The included enclosure system interlocks the jump mat and enclosure net at each spring, eliminating dangerous gaps and giving parents peace of mind and lasting family memories.
Decades later, Roller Racers remain a hit with physical education teachers, who use the toy in relay races, obstacle courses, and roller tag. Coin-operated arcade amusement took a severe hit when Atari released the first home gaming console, which was created by the founders of the famous arcade game Pong. Atari 2600 came equipped with two joysticks, paddle controllers, a wood-panel printed console, and game cartridges, including “Space Invaders,” “Pac-Man,” and “Asteroids” sold separately. The gaming system, with normal and hard difficulty settings, sold millions, making the Atari brand a staple in many ’80s households. The movie follows the saga of Ty Warner, played by Zach Galifianakis, the toy salesman who created one of the biggest toy crazes in history, and then shows what happens when everyone stops caring about them. Elizabeth Banks co-stars as Ty Warner’s business partner, Robbie, while Succession star Sarah Snook plays Warner’s wife, Sheila.