13 Toys From Your Childhood Worth a Ton of Money Today

There might be more money in your house than you realize. There is a market for various collectibles, even those dusty old childhood toys in your attic/basement.

Some of these toys cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, but some might be your ticket to early retirement. But it’s not that simple to tell trash from treasure.

Here are 13 toys from your childhood that are now worth a fortune. Visit your parents’ house, basement, or attic to find out if you have one! Please note that these prices have been sourced from eBay and can appear different for different users.

1. The Original Barbie

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The original 1959 Barbie was one of the first fashion toys introduced worldwide. Barbie is famous for setting the bar for fashion dolls with her slender figure, even though her wardrobe was limited to a single dress, her signature black-and-white swimsuit.

Nowadays, the original Barbie, with her original swimsuit in perfect condition, sells for $10,000 to $20,000. Later models range from $1,000 to $5,000, which could change if the packaging is intact. Just be glad you didn’t give her a ‘haircut’ as a kid; I know I did.

2. Beanie Babies

In 1993, Beanie Babies were the Pokemon cards of all stuffed animals, and everyone was into trading them for their yogurt during school lunch. While most are now worth less than a cup of coffee, rare ones still fetch some serious cash.

While the market has cooled, rare Beanie Babies like the “Princess Diana” bear can still snag between $500 and $2000. The “Royal Blue Peanut” and “1994 Teddy” cost $200 to $500. So, if you kept yours pristine with the tags on, you’re in luck!

3. Pokemon Cards

Pokemon cards entered the toy scene in 1996 and instantly became the currency for middle—and elementary-school-level kids. The Pokemon TV show, which premiered around the same time, only fueled the frenzy for people to become collectors or Pokemon trainers.

The original first edition cards that came in packs cost around $3.99 at the time. The first edition cards, featuring heavyweights like “Red Card Holo Charizard” and “Raichu Pikachu,” go for at least $7,000 to $20,000 nowadays. Looks like “Gotta catch ’em all” was more than a catchphrase, after all.

4. The Original GameBoy

Before we were all glued to our PS5s and sinking headfirst into our phones, Nintendo introduced the world to its 8-bit gaming marvel. The GameBoy was a chunky, gray brick that planted the seed for portable gaming. Games like “Super Mario,” “Tetris,” and “Minesweeper” were turning boring car rides into fun gaming sessions.

In today’s world of ever-advancing games, the original GameBoy has become quite a collector’s item. A mint-condition unit can fetch between $150 and $500. However, some pieces with the original packaging cost as much as $8,500.

5. Vintage LEGO Sets

Nowadays, you might see many YouTubers doing crazy stuff with LEGOs, from never-ending dominoes to building insane, lifelike buildings. But, it was back in the good old 90s that LEGOs sparked the fuse of creativity. They were also priced at a modest $10 to $50, almost about the cost of a movie ticket or a night out.

Those vintage sets are more than a dose of nostalgia for only a handful of lucky owners. Rare sets like the “Star Wars Cloud City,” “Skull’s Eye Schooner,” and the “Electric Steam Locomotive” can sell for upwards of $5,000 today.

6. Hot Wheels Cars

If you had Hot Wheels as a kid, your parents might have scolded you for turning the living room into your personal racetrack. The first series included 16 die-cast cars, such as the “Custom Mustang,” “Custom T-Bird,” and “Python.” If you had all of them, I bet it was like having your car dealership in a shoebox.

Nowadays, the original 1968 models, especially the “White Olds 442” or “Brown Custom Camaro,” might go for $3,000 to $5,000. If you still have one in its original packaging, you could see more cash racing to your bank account.

7. G.I Joe Action Figures

Hasbro’s G.I Joe hit the toy scene in 1964 and cost almost $3.00 per figure, a tiny price for a soldier with big dreams. The set included a range of accessories and vehicles that turned every kid’s playtime into an adventure.

G.I. Joe figures, especially those still in their packaging with all their military gear, can be worth between $1,000 and $5,000. However, the condition and presence of all accessories are crucial, as no collector would pay top dollar for a Joe missing his rifle or uniform.

8. Star Wars Action Figures

Just as the original Star Wars trilogy gained fans in the 70s, Kenner unleashed a trove of Star Wars action figures. Figures like Luke Skywalker in his questionable retro jumpsuit and Han Solo, who had the charm of a used car salesman, gained much attention.

These action figures also came in packs of 12, each costing about $1.99. Fast-forward to today and those exact action figures can fetch thousands of dollars each. These prices can increase if the Han Solo from your attic still has his trusty blaster.

9. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Four pizza-loving, sewer-dwelling heroes first hit toy shelves in 1988, just a year after the 1987 TV show had gained fame. They became an instant sensation; if you had them, you knew you were the coolest kid on the block.

The originals from 1988 can fetch between $100 and $500 each. However, if you’ve got a rare figure like “Scratch the Cat,” you’re looking at a potential payday of up to $3,000. The key? Packaging, condition, and accessories.

10. Transformers

Robots that turn into cars? Genius! Transformers rolled out in 1984, and suddenly, every little boy knew what they wanted for Christmas that year. Fast forward to today, Transformers has become a successful franchise of seven full-length movies.

Original Transformer action figures can be sold anywhere from $500 to $2,500. Condition, rarity, and packaging can also influence their value. If your old Bumblebee remains intact, it might be time to transform it into extra cash.

11. Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots

Consider yourself lucky if you still remember the classic clink and clank of Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots in your parent’s living room. As the name suggests, the goal was to knock off your opponent’s block. A satisfying “pop!” sent the loser’s head springing up.

Originally priced at $7.95, this miniature boxing ring has greatly increased in value. Collectors will pay between $200 and $1,000 for a well-preserved set. The prices can skyrocket if Red Rocker and Blue Bomber are in near-mint condition and still have all their accessories.

12. Teddy Ruxpin

We’ve all seen those hilarious videos of babies reacting to those mimic toys that repeat your words in a funny voice. Teddy Ruxpin, however, was less of a terror and more of a joyous bedtime storyteller who could also be your plush buddy.

The original 1985 Teddy Ruxpin, especially those in working condition and with their original cassettes and packing, can go for upwards of $1,000 today. Just make sure he still has some of his storytelling charm.

13. View-master Reels

If you are a 60s kid, you must remember having or using one at least once. The last time I saw one was in the early 2000s. These little cardboard reels and the vintage red viewer offered 3D glimpses into fairy lands and exotic locations of your favorite cartoon scenes.

At their launch, a single reel cost just $1 to $2 each. However, nowadays, those same reels can be worth quite a bit more than pocket change. Classic View-master reels, especially those featuring rare or popular scenes, can fetch between $50 and $300.