Toys · 1986
High-Tech Animatronics and Playground Crazes of 1986
In 1986, toy store shelves exploded with high-tech interactive electronics, collectible trading card parodies, and iconic action figure lines. From talking plush dolls to gross-out sticker cards, children's culture reached an unforgettable peak of playful innovation.
- Tag Game / Worlds of Wonder
Lazer Tag
Worlds of Wonder launched this futuristic infrared shooting game, sparking a massive nationwide tag obsession across suburban neighborhoods.
- Trading Cards / Topps
Garbage Pail Kids Series 3
Topps' gross-out sticker card parody reached peak playground notoriety as school principals banned the wildly popular collectibles.
- Plush Toy / Mattel
Popples
Mattel released these vibrant plush creatures that could roll into brightly colored soft balls using built-in pouches.
- LEGO Building Set / LEGO Group
Black Falcon's Fortress (LEGO 6074)
The LEGO Group debuted this legendary modular castle set featuring a functional drawbridge, yellow wood accents, and armored knights.
- Action Figures / Kenner
Centurions Action Figures
Kenner introduced futuristic soldier figures equipped with universal power ports for swapping heavy assault weapon systems.
- Interactive Doll / Playmates
Cricket Interactive Doll
Playmates launched Cricket, a realistic talking doll that used embedded cassette tapes to move her mouth and eyes in sync with her voice.
- Board Game / Milton Bradley
Fireball Island
Milton Bradley released this dramatic three-dimensional board game where players navigated a plastic island while dodging rolling marble fireballs.
- Miniature Vehicles / Galoob
Micro Machines
Galoob launched tiny collectible die-cast vehicles promoted by iconic fast-talking spokesman John Moschitta Jr.
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