Toys Every Black Kid Wanted For Christmas In The ’90s & 2000s

Two boys and a girl playing — Source: Jupiterimages / Getty

Growing up Black in the ’90s and 2000s meant holiday wish lists loaded with toys that felt like magic the second they hit the shelves. For many of us, Christmas morning was about claiming a slice of childhood joy, creativity, and culture. Check out some of the toys every Black kid secretly prayed to find under the tree back in the day.

One post recently talked about how toys and games created during the ‘90s and 2000s influenced a different psychological effect on millennials than the toys created today, which affect Gen Z and Gen Alpha.

Check it out below:

’90s: When Toys Made Everything Magical

Toronto's Tamagotchi Club hosts the first of many meetups the club hosts annually — Source: Steve Russell / Getty

Think about that rush when you heard “Last one on the block gets the first turn.” Those were the vibes of toys like Tamagotchi, Bop It, Super Soaker, and Polly Pocket. These were the times of kids spending time both outside and indoors with their favorite toys. The ’90s were a golden era for kids who wanted toys that felt big despite their size. These toys were like badges of honor.

There was nothing like being the kid who showed up with a Slimy pack of Gak or the latest Super Soaker. Those summer water fights, the jokes and the slime made everything extra. And kids who loved style and imagination went hard for Polly Pocket sets.

2000s: When Toys Got Cooler, Bigger, Louder

Dream Toys 2002 - The Bratz Dolls — Source: Ian West – PA Images / Getty

As the world changed, so did the toys. The New Zealand Herald reports that the 2000s brought bigger toys, louder toys, toys that felt like they belonged just as much in a living room as a playground. That’s when lines like Bratz dolls, Furby, Beanie Babies, and even games like Bop It (and, still) were the top gifts kids begged for around Christmas time.

If you were one of the lucky ones whose parents caved, your Christmas looked more like unboxing back then. The 2000s toys had that “I’m older now, but still a kid” energy. Everything from dolls to collectible critters to gadgets screamed possibility and pride.

Why These Toys Mattered More Than Just Play

Close-up of a child's hand playing with sticky red slime. The texture of the slime looks elastic and slippery, giving it the impression of a creative sensory toy for children. — Source: Hendri / Getty

For many Black kids growing up in that era, these toys represented more than just weekend fun. They were part of identity, community, and sometimes escape. They let creativity run free, build friendships, and create memories that still make us smile decades later. Passing those toys down or seeing others from your childhood still collect or reminisce about them keeps that magic alive.

Whether it was the slime from Gak you accidentally dropped on the floor or the squeak of a Super Soaker mid-squirt, these toys hit different when you grew up Black. They were part of our childhood soundtrack. And they still hold a special place in our hearts. These toys are a reminder of simpler times, big dreams, and the joy of being a kid.

Here’s a nostalgic list of toys from the ’90s and 2000s that so many Black kids begged for, circled in catalogs, and prayed would show up under the tree. These were the must-haves, the “everybody at school has one,” and the ones that defined growing up in Black households during those eras:

Lonnie Johnson — Source: Thomas S England / Getty

1990s Classics

1. Super Soaker
Neighborhood water-fight royalty.
2. Tamagotchi
The digital pet we kept alive during class.
3. Easy-Bake Oven
Nothing hit like those tiny cakes.
4. Skip-It
Fun until it whacked your ankle.
5. Bop It
The toy that doubled as a party game.
6. Sega Genesis
Especially if you were trying to beat Sonic levels before bed.
7. Nintendo 64
“GoldenEye” and “Mario Kart” shaped friendships.
8. Giga Pets
Because one virtual pet was never enough.
9. Beanie Babies
We swore they’d be worth millions someday.
10. Polly Pocket
Before the redesign, these tiny sets were everything.
11. Barbie dolls with Black representation
Shani, Asha, Christie — the dolls that finally looked like us.
12. Super Nintendo
That Donkey Kong energy was unmatched.

2000s Favorites

1. Bratz Dolls
Sasha was the girl. The fashion, the attitude, the hair.
2. Xbox
“Halo” turned living rooms into battle zones.
3. PlayStation 2
Nothing beat “NBA Street” or “Def Jam Vendetta.”
4. Razor Scooters
Until they smacked your ankles.
5. Yu-Gi-Oh! Cards
Dueling at lunch was serious business.
6. Furby
Creepy at night, but a must-have.
7. Beyblades
“Let it rip” was a lifestyle.
8. HitClips
We were listening to 30-second songs proudly.
9. Baby Phat and Rocawear accessories
Not toys, but absolutely collectibles.
10. Bionicle sets
Building these felt like engineering school.
11. Nintendo Game Boy Advance
“Pokémon” battles everywhere.
12. Littlest Pet Shop
Collectors were obsessed with the miniatures.