NOSTALGIC toys are making a comeback and the top ten 90s throwbacks parents are buying this year have been revealed.
The list, put together by stationery chain Ryman, contains a mix of well-known characters like Hello Kitty to returning favourites like dance mats.
Out of a survey of 2,000 parents in the UK, eight in ten mums and dads said they would buy their child a retro nineties toy this year.
Around the same number also said that 90s toys were better than ones made today.
Plus, nine in ten parents admitted buying presents for their children so they could secretly enjoy them too.
Almost half said they plan to get their kids block puzzle Tetris, which became a craze when it was released on Nintento Game Boy in 1990.
Pokemon follows at next most popular purchase, with more than two in five snapping up the cult card game for the next generation.
More than one third want to introduce digital dance mats to their kids, followed by care bears.
And Japanese favourite Hello Kitty is set for a revival, with the cute brand of stationery, school bags and clothing sought by a quarter of Christmas shoppers.
Chole Danskin, chied of marking at Ryman, said “The demand for toys and games from the Nineties has been phenomenal.
“There is a real feeling of nostalgia in our stores and our customers are enjoying taking a trip down memory lane.
“Some really brilliant and inventive toys and games emerged during that decade and Tetris is a real standout.
“It’s incredible just how many people want the game for a Christmas present – 34 years after it became a global sensation.”
Other much-loved toys from parents’ childhoods making a comeback include bubble fish lamps, a liquid-filled LED tube with floating artificial fish, Slime, a squishy substance that kids squeeze into different shapes, and drawing game Spirograph.
Missing from the list are classics like the Tamagotchi, Beanie Babies and Power Rangers.
Below is a list of the ten nineties crazes set for a comeback this Christmas:
The Sun checked to see what nostalgic toys are on the market now, and how much you can buy them for.
A Tetris table board game will set you back £10 at Argos and Boots, or £15 at Amazon.
If you want to get your kids’ into Pokemon, you can bag a set of Pokemon Battle figures for £11 at Argos.
Meanwhile, the price of a Hello Kitty light up soft toy has been slashed to £10 from £20 at The Entertainer.
Digital dance mats range in price from £19.99 at Robert Dyas to £24.99 at Smyths toys.
To make sure you’re getting the best price available on the market, don’t forget to use comparison sites such as Pricespy.co.uk and CamelCamelCamel.
Another helpful site, PriceHistory.co.uk, will be able to let you know if Argos has ever stocked the same toys for less.
Prices can also vary day to day and by what deals are on at the time, plus remember you might pay for delivery if you’re ordering online.
The Sun found some heft discrepancies in price between the big-name brands, some as much as £25.
The Sun’s senior consumer reporter Ellie Smitherman explains how you can protect yourself from being ripped off.
Retailers tend to respond to demand and prices may drop, particularly if they host Black Friday or pre-Christmas sales.
Many retailers extend their return and exchange policies during this time of year.
So if you are prepared and buy your toys too early you could return them and get a refund and then buy at the lower discounted price.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that some stores may offer cashback through providers like Top Cashback or Quidco and that means you could get some of your money back when you shop.
This could help ease the financial burden of the festive season.
The biggest thing to remember is that several of the above retailers mentioned are online only – such as Amazon, Very and Littlewoods – which means you will most likely need to pay for delivery.
We haven’t factored the fees into our comparison above because several of the brands offer free delivery over a certain amount and charge different fees depending on the size of the item.
So how much you pay will really depend on your basket.
Plus, just because something is on offer, or is part of a sale, it doesn’t mean it’s always a good deal.
