For kids growing up in the 1980s and 1990s, quarter machines were irresistible. Whether outside the grocery store, at the mall, or in the entryway of a pizza parlor, these machines held tiny treasures that made our childhoods just a little more exciting.
With just 25 cents, you could get anything from sticky hands to glow-in-the-dark skeletons or a rare collectible if you were lucky. Let’s take a nostalgic trip back to some of the most iconic vending machine toys we all fondly remember from the ’80s and ’90s.
1. Sticky Hands
The ultimate vending machine classic. These stretchy, gummy hands would stick to walls, windows, and even your friend’s forehead… until they inevitably got covered in dirt and dust and stopped working.
2. Homies Figures
One of the most collectible vending machine toys of the late 90s. These tiny figurines, featuring urban characters with distinct personalities, became a cultural phenomenon.
3. Tiny Plastic Ninjas
Miniature ninja warriors in different fighting poses, often in bright neon colors. These were perfect for desk battles at school.
4. Neon Bouncy Balls
Who didn’t have one of these? They bounced so high that they often got lost within minutes of getting them. Thankfully, you could get another for just a quarter.
5. Monster Finger Puppets
Creepy little rubber monster heads that fit over your fingers, turning any kid into a horror movie villain.
6. Mini NFL & NBA Helmets
Sports fans loved these miniature team helmets, which are highly collectible. Some kids tried to complete the entire NFL lineup, but I never knew anyone who ever finished the league.
7. Mood Rings
The magical ring that claimed to read your emotions but really just changed color based on your body temperature.
8. Glow-in-the-Dark Skeletons
These bendy little skeletons glowed eerily at night and often ended up stuck on bedroom walls.
9. Fake Mustaches
While these were fun, their appeal wore off pretty quickly.
10. Little Alien Figures
Tiny plastic alien figurines in bright colors, sometimes with metallic finishes, which made them feel more rare and collectible (they weren’t).
11. Temporary Tattoos
Whether it was a skull, yin yang, dragon, or bard wire, these made you feel tough for a whole day, or until they washed off in the bath.
12. Mini Pull-Back Cars
Small but mighty, these little cars would zoom forward after you pulled them back.
13. Rubber Spiky Balls
Squishy, weirdly satisfying to squeeze, and sometimes filled with gel or glitter. These were not nearly as fun as the bouncy balls, but they had their place.
14. Finger Skateboards (Tech Deck Knockoffs)
Before Tech Decks took over, these cheap fingerboards were a staple in vending machines. Unlike the real thing, these were cheap and next to impossible to do tricks with.
15. Popper Toys (Hoppers)
These were those little rubber balls that were cut in half. You’d flip them inside out, set them on a table, and wait for them to suddenly pop into the air.
16. Gooey Slime Capsules
It was gross, sticky, and fun. Until it dried out or got stuck in the carpet. This was like Gak before Nickelodeon made it a huge cultural thing. I can actually still remember what these smelled like.
17. Gumball Machine Jewelry
Cheap plastic rings and necklaces that often had fake gemstones or holographic stickers.
18. Plastic Army Men or Cowboys
Tiny figures that were so cheaply made that they barely stood up straight, but were still fun for staging battles.
19. Spin Tops
A simple yet satisfying toy. Give it a good spin and watch it whirl and jump until it finally slowed down. Fun, but hard to get excited about.
20. Eyeball Bouncy Balls
Just like regular bouncy balls, but way creepier with eyeball designs staring back at you.
