1. Tamagotchi Pets Were Our First Taste of Responsibility
Remember the joy of carrying around a little egg-shaped device, constantly checking to see if your virtual pet was happy, hungry, or—heaven forbid—on the verge of pixelated death? Tamagotchis were all the rage in the late ’90s and early 2000s, teaching kids everywhere the importance of feeding, cleaning, and playing with a pet. For many of us, this was our first “pet ownership” experience, complete with the crushing guilt of accidentally neglecting our tiny digital friend. The beeping sounds would alert us at the worst times—during class, in the middle of dinner, or just as we were about to fall asleep. And yet, we were obsessed.
Tamagotchis also sparked heated school debates over which version was the best—some had dinosaurs, others had aliens, and the luckiest kids had multi-pet editions. Eventually, teachers started banning them because kids were spending more time tending to their virtual pets than listening to lessons. As time passed, the popularity of Tamagotchis faded, replaced by more sophisticated games and real-life responsibilities. But even today, a wave of nostalgia hits whenever we see those tiny screens and three-button controls. Some people still collect them, proving that once a Tamagotchi parent, always a Tamagotchi parent!
2. Pet Rocks Were the Easiest Pets Ever
Before Tamagotchis, there was an even lower-maintenance pet: the Pet Rock. This absurd yet brilliant 1970s fad took the world by storm, convincing people to spend actual money on a smooth rock that came in a little box with breathing holes. The genius behind it, Gary Dahl, marketed Pet Rocks as the perfect, hassle-free companion—no feeding, no walking, and no messy accidents. And people loved it. For a few months, it seemed like everyone had one, decorating them with googly eyes and giving them names as if they had real personalities.
Pet Rocks even came with an “instruction manual” full of humorous tips on training them to “stay” or “play dead.” Of course, they were just rocks, but that didn’t stop kids from forming emotional attachments to them. Some even carried them around in tiny beds or leashes, as if they were real pets. Eventually, the novelty wore off, and most Pet Rocks ended up forgotten in drawers or backyards. But their legacy lives on as one of the strangest yet most profitable fads in pet history.
3. Glow-in-the-Dark Fish Were the Ultimate Aquarium Trend
For a brief moment in time, everyone wanted an aquarium filled with glowing fish. When genetically modified GloFish hit the market in the early 2000s, they became the ultimate pet store attraction. These little neon-colored fish were designed to glow under blacklight, making them look like tiny, swimming glow sticks. Kids begged their parents for them, and pet stores set up flashy displays to show off their electric blues, bright greens, and fiery reds. If you had a tank full of them, you were automatically the coolest kid on the block.
Despite their popularity, many people didn’t realize that these fish required just as much care as regular ones. They needed proper filtration, balanced water conditions, and specific diets—not just a cool tank to swim in. Some unlucky kids learned this the hard way when their fish didn’t last long in poorly maintained bowls. Eventually, the hype faded, but GloFish are still around today, though no longer the must-have pet they once were. They remind us of a time when glowing, genetically engineered pets felt like a glimpse into the future.
4. Talking Parrots Were the Life of the Party
There was a time when everyone seemed to know someone with a talking parrot. Whether it was a chatty African Grey or a mischievous budgie, these birds fascinated people with their ability to mimic human speech. Owners would spend hours teaching them funny phrases, and some parrots became local celebrities for their clever or inappropriate remarks. They were a status symbol in the ’80s and ’90s, often sitting in grand living rooms, ready to entertain guests.
But what people didn’t realize was that parrots require a lot of attention and mental stimulation. A bored parrot is a destructive parrot, and many homes ended up with shredded furniture and ear-piercing squawks. Some birds outlived their owners, leading to unexpected rehoming situations. While parrots are still popular among dedicated bird lovers, their mainstream appeal has waned. The days of casually picking up a parrot at the pet store without considering the long-term commitment are mostly behind us.
5. Puppy Surprise Was the Most Exciting Toy of the ’90s
Long before blind bag toys became a thing, kids of the ’90s had Puppy Surprise—a plush dog that “gave birth” to a surprise number of puppies hidden inside its belly. The excitement of not knowing whether you’d get three, four, or even five puppies made these toys a huge hit. The lucky kids who got the rare five-puppy Surprise became instant playground royalty. Some versions even had special edition glittery or patterned puppies, making the experience even more thrilling.
The idea was genius because it combined the love of stuffed animals with the element of surprise. But looking back, the concept was a little bizarre—why were we all obsessed with toy dogs giving birth? Some kids even took it a step further, performing “C-sections” on their Puppy Surprise to see how many babies they had right away. Eventually, the fad faded, though the brand has been revived a few times over the years. Even now, those who grew up with Puppy Surprise can’t help but smile when they see one on a thrift store shelf.
6. Hermit Crabs Were the Ultimate Beach Souvenir
If you went on a beach vacation in the ’90s or early 2000s, chances are you begged your parents for a hermit crab. Sold in brightly painted shells, these tiny creatures seemed like the perfect, easy-to-care-for pet. They came with a plastic tank, a sponge for water, and a little dish of food—what more could they need? Kids loved watching them switch shells and scuttle around their enclosures, often giving them names like “Crabby” or “Shelly.” It felt like taking home a little piece of the ocean.
However, many people didn’t realize that hermit crabs actually require very specific conditions to thrive. They need high humidity, deep sand for burrowing, and access to both fresh and saltwater. Most pet store kits didn’t provide the right setup, leading to many crabs living short, unhappy lives. As people became more aware of their care needs, the trend started to decline. Today, hermit crabs are still around, but they’re less of an impulse buy and more of a commitment for serious pet owners.
7. Hamster Balls Were the Ultimate Pet Entertainment
If you had a hamster in the ’90s or early 2000s, you probably had one of those clear plastic hamster balls rolling around your house. The idea seemed genius—your little furry friend could explore safely without getting lost under the couch. Watching a tiny hamster zoom around the room like a fuzzy bumper car was hilarious and oddly mesmerizing. Kids loved chasing after them, and it was one of the few ways to interact with their pet outside of its cage. It felt like the perfect balance of fun and exercise.
But looking back, were hamster balls really a good idea? Many hamsters didn’t seem to enjoy the experience as much as their owners did. Some would sit frozen inside, unsure what to do, while others would crash into walls, furniture, and even stairs. The ventilation holes weren’t always the best, and some hamsters got their tiny feet stuck. As people became more aware of proper small pet care, hamster balls started to fade out of popularity. These days, exercise wheels and open playpens are preferred, but hamster ball nostalgia still lingers.
8. Sea Monkeys Promised an Instant Pet Experience
At some point, every kid flipped through a comic book or toy catalog and saw the magical Sea Monkeys ad. The illustrated ads made them look like tiny underwater people with smiling faces and crowns. The promise? Just add water, and your instant pets would hatch and grow before your eyes. It seemed like pure magic—an entire aquatic world in a tiny plastic tank! For a few bucks, you could own your very own colony of creatures, no feeding or effort required.
Of course, reality was a little different. Sea Monkeys were actually just brine shrimp, and while they did hatch and swim around, they didn’t exactly resemble the cartoon versions. Some kids were fascinated anyway, while others felt cheated when they realized their “pets” were just specks floating in the water. Still, Sea Monkeys had a solid run as a quirky pet fad, and they’re still sold today, though with slightly more realistic advertising. They remind us of a time when we believed in the power of mail-order magic.
9. Lizard Brooches Were a Strange and Short-Lived Trend
For a brief moment, wearing a live lizard as an accessory was considered cool. Back in the ’50s and ’60s, tiny lizards—usually anoles—were sold at fairs and amusement parks with tiny chains clipped to them. The idea was that they would “cling” to your clothes like a living brooch, creating a one-of-a-kind fashion statement. Kids would proudly wear them on their shirts, showing off their living jewelry to friends. It was a mix of novelty, style, and a little bit of shock factor.
Unsurprisingly, this fad didn’t last long. The lizards weren’t exactly willing participants, and many escaped or became stressed from being handled constantly. Some kids lost theirs within hours, while others struggled to take care of them once the novelty wore off. Eventually, animal welfare concerns shut the trend down, and live lizard brooches disappeared. Today, it seems unbelievable that such a thing was ever a fad, but it’s a wild piece of pet history we’ll never forget.
10. DIY Ant Farms Were Every Science Kid’s Dream
Before kids were glued to iPads, one of the coolest things you could have was a do-it-yourself ant farm. These thin plastic containers let you watch ants tunnel through sand in real time, creating a mini underground world. It was the closest thing to having a pet that required zero interaction—just set it up, add ants, and watch nature do its thing. Some kids even went the extra mile, catching their own ants from the backyard instead of ordering a pre-made kit. It felt like a mix of science and adventure.
Of course, not all ant farms went as planned. Sometimes, the ants refused to tunnel, or worse—escaped, turning bedrooms into unexpected bug sanctuaries. Parents weren’t always thrilled with the idea of keeping insects as pets, leading to some tragic “accidental” ant farm disappearances. Eventually, fancier versions with gel tunnels and built-in LED lights were introduced, but the trend never fully regained its original spark. Still, for those who had one, ant farms were a weird but wonderful part of childhood.
