20 Birthday Party Surprises Every Kid Wanted in the ’80s
Back in the ’80s, birthday parties weren’t just about cake and games—they were about the ultimate prize: the party favor bag. That tiny plastic sack of treasures was the highlight of every celebration, packed with little trinkets that made kids feel like they’d hit the jackpot.
From sugary treats to quirky toys, these goodies defined childhood happiness. If you grew up in the ’80s, you probably remember the thrill of digging through your loot to see what surprises awaited. Some of these items were so beloved that kids would trade, hoard, or even battle over them.
Let’s take a nostalgic trip down memory lane and relive the 20 birthday party favors every ’80s kid wanted to take home!
1. Candy Necklaces
Jewelry that you could eat? Yes, please! Candy necklaces were both a fashion statement and a delicious snack, though they usually ended up as a sticky mess by the end of the party.
The biggest challenge was resisting the urge to eat all the candy before getting home.
2. Slap Bracelets
Nothing said “cool” like a slap bracelet wrapped around your wrist. With a simple flick of the hand, these colorful metal bands snapped snugly into place, making them an instant hit.
Kids would trade them, collect different designs, and inevitably wear them until the edges started peeling.
3. Glow-in-the-Dark Stickers
Stickers were a must-have, but the glow-in-the-dark ones? Pure gold. Kids stuck them everywhere—on their notebooks, walls, and even their faces—just to see them light up at night.
They made bedtime just a little bit cooler, even if they lost their glow after too many uses.
4. Plastic Maze Puzzles
These tiny handheld puzzles with a silver ball inside could entertain (or frustrate) kids for hours. Trying to get the ball into the right hole required more patience than most kids had, but that didn’t stop them from trying.
Some of these puzzles were so tricky that they ended up in a drawer, only to be rediscovered months later.
5. Mini Pinball Games
A pocket-sized arcade? Yes! These little pinball toys, usually made of cheap plastic, were surprisingly addictive and a must-have in any goodie bag.
They never worked quite as smoothly as the real thing, but kids still had fun launching the tiny metal ball and hoping for the highest score.
6. Bubble Necklaces
A necklace filled with bubble solution was a party favor that kept on giving—until, of course, it leaked all over your clothes. Kids loved running around the backyard, blowing bubbles and trying to pop them before they floated away.
The only downside? The little plastic wands always got clogged with sticky bubble residue.
7. Scratch-and-Sniff Stickers
Collecting scratch-and-sniff stickers was serious business in the ’80s. Whether it smelled like root beer, popcorn, or bubblegum, every kid wanted to add them to their sticker album.
Some scents were great, while others—like “mystery meat”—were downright questionable.
8. Super Balls
These tiny, bouncy rubber balls were both a dream and a nightmare for parents. They could bounce unpredictably and disappear in an instant, often landing under furniture or in hard-to-reach places.
Kids loved seeing how high they could make them go—sometimes at the risk of breaking a lamp.
9. Plastic Finger Traps
Every party favor bag included one of these sneaky little traps. Kids delighted in tricking their friends into getting their fingers stuck—before inevitably trapping themselves.
The only real way out was to push inward instead of pulling, but many kids learned that lesson the hard way.
10. Novelty Erasers
Shaped like animals, cars, or even food, these erasers were way too cool to actually use. Most kids just collected them instead of erasing anything, and some even smelled like fruit or candy.
They never erased particularly well, but that wasn’t really the point.
11. Sticky Hands
A gooey, stretchy hand that could be launched across the room to grab papers, hair, or unsuspecting friends? Absolutely essential for an ’80s kid.
Of course, after a few hours of collecting dust and dirt, they became less “sticky hand” and more “fuzzy mess.”
12. Tiny Water Guns
These miniature squirt guns were the perfect way to get revenge on a sibling—or to start an impromptu water fight at the party.
They didn’t hold much water, but they made up for it with sneak attacks. If you were lucky, you’d get one that actually shot farther than a foot.
13. Rainbow Slinkies
Whether plastic or metal, a Slinky was always a hit. Watching it “walk” down the stairs was mesmerizing—when it actually worked right.
Unfortunately, it only took one bad twist for the whole thing to become a tangled disaster.
14. Pez Dispensers
These weren’t just candy holders—they were collectibles. Every kid had their favorite character, and getting a new one felt like a special event.
The candy itself was chalky and not particularly great, but the dispensers made it all worth it.
15. Plastic Parachute Men
Toss them in the air, watch them drift down… and repeat. These simple toys could keep kids entertained for hours—until the parachute inevitably got tangled or stuck in a tree.
Half the fun was throwing them as high as possible, hoping for a slow and graceful descent.
16. Pencil Toppers
Nothing made your school supplies cooler than a wacky, colorful pencil topper. Whether it was a fluffy pom-pom, an alien head, or a mini animal, these little decorations made even the most boring homework a bit more exciting.
Plus, they were perfect for flicking across the classroom when the teacher wasn’t looking.
17. Snap Pops
A tiny explosion of fun! These little paper-wrapped “firecrackers” popped when thrown on the ground, making kids feel like tiny pyrotechnicians.
The trick was finding a hard enough surface to make the biggest pop without getting in trouble.
18. Kazoos
The easiest (and most annoying) way for a room full of kids to start a noisy band. Parents probably regretted including these in goodie bags as soon as they got home.
No matter how you played it, a kazoo guaranteed immediate and chaotic sound.
19. Yo-Yos
Even if you couldn’t do tricks, having a yo-yo made you feel like a pro. They came in all kinds of colors and designs, making them a must-have favor.
If you actually learned to “walk the dog” or “rock the cradle,” you instantly earned playground legend status.
20. Whistle Lip Lollipops
A lollipop that doubled as a whistle? Pure genius. These sugar-packed treats ensured kids left the party both hyped up and extra loud.
The only downside? Once the candy was gone, the whistle became pretty useless—but that didn’t stop kids from trying.