Photos That Serve Up Some Fresh Early 2000s Nostalgia
Remember Razor Scooters, Furbies, and Shrinky Dinks? If you grew up in the early 2000’s you definitely do. Those who experienced this unique period of time at the turn of the century, know that this was quite a time to be alive. Pop culture was caught between the midpoint of old-school and futuristic. We’re now over 20 years past the early 2000’s, and memories of the Kids Choice Awards and Leggo my Eggo, make every millennial feel super nostalgic. We’re all well into adulthood and ready to start reminiscing about the “good ol’ days”.
You’re in luck because we’re serving up some fresh early 2000’s nostalgia right here! Let’s get this party started with…
30. The Unbreakable Nokia Monochrome
Long gone are the days where our cell phone battery lasts us for more than 12 hours. But what if we told you there was a time when a cell phone could last you entire weeks on end with only 1 charge. Not only that, but they were virtually indestructible! There’s a good reason these were called the “Nokia Brick”.
This is probably the most accurate meme ever created. The Nokia Monochrome was unbreakable (the original drop-test champion) and its battery would last for weeks. Honestly, in a zombie apocalypse, this would be man’s best friend. The iPhone wishes it could compete with the sheer resilience of this original pocket phone!
29. Someone Call The Fashion Police!
The early 2000s were filled with some very strange fashion choices. Wearing pants way below the waistline, side bangs, and dresses over jeans are just a few of the bizarre trends the decade had to offer. We look back at these red carpet looks and wonder what the heck the fashion world was thinking when they decided these outfits looked good
From classmates to celebrities, it felt like everyone was getting in on these objectively awful looks. You couldn’t tune into a red carpet event without seeing someone sporting an extra-wide belt or a fedora. Thankfully we’ve all grown since then, 2010 definitely felt like a return to normalcy when it came to clothing!
28. Silly Bandz
Silly Bandz became a fast-growing trend toward the end of the decade. We had already been exposed to all kinds of plastic bracelets, but these were totally different. Far from your average jewelry, Silly Bandz took the form of all kinds of objects when you removed them. From dinosaurs to instruments to animals, they had it all!
Everyone wanted to collect as many as they could, some people even traded their bracelets for newer Silly Bandz designs. You would likely spot dozens of middle school students walking around with entire rainbows of these rubber bracelets on their wrists. Although this fashion accessory died out with the decade we refuse to forget them!
27. The Legendary Gameboy
If there’s one thing the 2000s revolutionized it was the handheld gaming console. As kids, we spent hours sitting on our lazy butts while our thumbs were flying as we played Super Mario or The Legend of Zelda. Thankfully we don’t need to let go of our love for Nintendo, the company is still around and thriving to this day!
But nothing will be the nostalgic rush we get while holding an original Gameboy or Gameboy Advance. The graphics might be super dated and the sound might not be amazing, but they have the ability to instantly transport us to the days of our childhood. What other console is capable of doing that??
26. iPod Commercials
With AirPods currently taking over, it’s hard to believe that Apple once centered all their advertising around old-school headphones. These devices were considered revolutionary at the time, replacing products like the Walkmen or MiniDisc. The original iPod was about the size of your palm and could fit 1,000 songs, no other hardware required!
While this might’ve seemed incredible at the time it really does pale in comparison to the modern iPhone. We ran the numbers and the Apple smartphone is capable of holding up to 12,000 songs! And that’s not even mentioning the fact that it’s also your phone, on-the-go movie player, and messenger. While the old iPod doesn’t measure up to today’s tech, we still hold a special place for it in our hearts.
25. Disposable Cameras
Years before digital or phone cameras existed we had one way of capturing our photographic memories. Disposable cameras were a super fun way to save memories with your friends no matter what the occasion was. Whether you were having a sleepover or going to a bar mitzvah, you can bet your parents armed you with one of these.
The only downside was having to wait for the photos to get developed. With the technology we have today it’s almost laughable to think we ever used a gadget like this! But this was the stepping stone to those Instagram selfies you take with your phone. Just keep that in mind the next time you’re applying your filters!
24. Crossover TV Shows
TV shows collaborating for crossover episodes were all the rage back in the 2000s. We would count down the days until these highly anticipated TV specials aired, we wouldn’t dare miss a single minute! One of the old nostalgic favorites would have to be the Jimmy Timmy Power Hour, bringing together the universes of these two very differently animated cartoons.
But of course, we have to give honorable mentions to That’s So Suite Life of Hannah Montana. This crossover managed to squeeze three beloved Disney live-action shows into one! They might’ve been gimmicky but they were nevertheless very exciting to watch. Do you remember tuning into crossover episodes as a kid? Let us know in the comments!
23. Allstar Sticker Dispensers
There’s no way this glittery machine didn’t catch your eye at every mall and bowling alley your parents took you to. These magical dispensers held all sorts of larger-than-life stickers, not the kind of stuff your teacher might put on your homework. They were bright and iridescent, often found with animated characters spouting off sassy catchphrases.
They might’ve been a little pricier than a gumball or handful of hard candies, but if you begged your parents enough they would usually give in. Sometimes these dispensers even held temporary tattoos, which we all know is the ultimate symbol of a 2000s cool kid. We certainly hope the new generation is able to get their hands on stickers as epic as these!
22. Neopets.com
The early years of the 2000s internet were an interesting place. All sorts of online games popped up, but none of them were as memorable or intricate as Neopets. Allowing you to adopt a pet, earn Neopoints, and interact with users around the globe, this website truly offered a unique experience. Whether you were a casual user or a serious player, you’re definitely familiar with this game.
Who among us doesn’t remember fighting other pets at the Battledome or trying to find all the pieces of the Secret Laboratory Map? The site was chock full of all types of different activities, making it easy to spend hours playing. And believe it or not, Neopets is still up and running to this day!
21. The Ugliest Boots In The World
One of the weird fashion trends of the 2000s would have to be Uggs. These boots basically made your foot look like a block, but that didn’t stop us from being totally obsessed with them! Not only did these shoes keep your feet and calves warm they were also considered very stylish. While we can’t vouch for their fashion-forwardness, we have to admit that they’re super cozy!
These shoes flew off the shelves when they came out, though far from being as popular as they used to be. But who knows, this cozy shoe might end up making a comeback someday. If you held onto your Uggs you might just get the last laugh!
20. High School Musical
Some of the world’s most famous actors got their start on the hit Disney Channel Movie, High School Musical. Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, and Ashley Tisdale all got their start in this unforgettable teenage musical soap opera filled with forbidden love, tough decisions, and incredibly catchy songs. It might not be classical musical theater but that soundtrack was to die for!
You couldn’t play a game of basketball without some kid singing “Getcha Head in the Game”. To this day, 2000s kids are able to recall the lyrics to these iconic tunes. Those of us who were really diehard fans of the franchise might even be familiar with some of the dance moves!
19. Silly Putty
Silly Putty was an exciting toy to get your hands on as a kid. This weird substance came in a little plastic egg and could be molded into virtually anything. But that wasn’t even the best part, the greatest thing about it was its ability to bounce! This strange clay was nothing like playdough, and we found it both mystifying and exciting.
The thrills kind of wore out once you caught dirt and pebbles caught in it. Like many toys, this one wasn’t exactly built to last very long. But those short moments of joy were still there whenever we tore through the plastic packaging to get our hands on a fresh wad of Silly Putty.
18. Purple or Green Ketchup?
Everyone’s favorite ketchup company decided to release something truly bizarre back in the year 2000. Heinz came out with a brand new bottle that offered their product in a bunch of different colors. You could cover your french fries in purple or green if you so desired! The commercials for these made it look like an incredibly exciting experience, but in retrospect, we have different feelings about this.
Who would want to eat anything covered in globs on purple or green? The unnatural colors or our fried potato sticks look anything but appetizing from our adult points of view. If we want to snack on something artificially colored we’ll stick to candy, thank you very much!
17. Rubber Popper Toys
Following the trend of unusual rubber toys that harm the environment, rubber poppers took the world by storm in the early 2000’s. These bouncy rubber semi-circles would be turned inside out and laid on a flat surface. In a few seconds, they would spring up in the air in every possible direction! Sounds pretty fun, right?
While these toys were exciting they could occasionally end up being a safety hazard. We’ve all accidentally had one of these pop at the wrong moment and hit us right in the face. But it was still all worth it. If you spot one of these in a toy dispenser you bet you were begging your mom for a quarter!
16. Choking Hazards and Hot Ovens, What Could Go Wrong?
Child safety was clearly not a priority for children’s toy manufacturers in the early 2000s, because these tiny plastic things were everywhere back then! These colorful, moldable beads known as Shrinky Dinks were the PG-13 version of the early 2000’s toy. Kids absolutely loved them, but just like many movies, they couldn’t enjoy them without some parental supervision present!
But once you had mom or dad watching over you the possibilities were endless. You could unleash your inner artist and create anything you wanted. In fact, it was all the rage to host parties and to make plastic trinkets with your friends. If you still have these let us know, we’re coming over!
15. Renting Movies At Blockbuster Video
A long time ago, in a decade not so far away, there wasn’t any Netflix. In fact, video streaming platforms were merely a figment of our animations. Instead, we had something known as Blockbuster. Having your parent drive you down to one of these was a real treat, despite the very limited selection.
Blockbuster was a library of movies, where you pay a rental fee and return the VHS or DVD within a few days. Going to rent a movie from Blockbuster on a Sunday with Mom or Dad, was practically an American pastime. Now, the sheer notion of having to leave home to rent a movie is a figment of our imagination.
14. Care Bears
These fuzzy, cuddly stuffed animals were a childhood favorite when it came to finding the perfect sleeping companion. These multicolored teddies even had their own TV shows and feature-length films! With the variety of different characters, each with a unique appearance and personality, it was hard not to find one that suited you. But you couldn’t just have one!
If you were into these loveable stuffed animals you were sure to have a large collection. The whole franchise introduced tons of different toys that cluttered our bedrooms while we were growing up. These plushies are harder to come by nowadays, but we’ll always remember them as our sweet and caring companions.
13. Really Wacky Hairstyles
Women who grew up in the 2000s will remember begging mom to help them recreate hairstyles like these. These intricate and wacky hairstyles were all over the place during the decade, most notably on shows like Lizzie McGuire. We wanted to do all sorts of things to our hair, from crimping to beading and even tattooing!
We think we can all agree that, in retrospect, these looks were pretty out-there. Back then they might’ve been all the rage but we doubt anyone’s trying to relive these bad hair days! And thank goodness for that because those styles required way more time and maintenance than they were worth. If we want a bit of 00s hair nostalgia we’ll just pick up a scrunchie!
12. The Legendary Club Penguin
Online sandbox games were popping up all over the place in the 2000s, but few managed to reach the fame of Club Penguin. The website practically reached legendary status, with users logging on from all over the globe to mourn its shutting down in 2017. But while it was active it practically had its users glued to the screen.
You were able to chat with people from all over the world, and everyone’s virtual avatar was a penguin. We’re not sure who dreamt up this idea but they must’ve been a big fan of the Antarctic! Now that the site’s no longer functional we’ll have to find another way of reliving our Club Penguin glory days.
11. Homemade Fortune Tellers
Ever wish you could tell your friends that they were destined to fall in love with the boy from class 401? In the 2000s, kids didn’t have to, they made their own luck. These folded pieces of paper could somehow predict everything from the person you were destined to marry to how many children you were going to have.
We’re not sure about the science behind these but back then we were convinced they knew everything. If you couldn’t get your hands on a magic 8 ball then a paper fortune teller was definitely the next best thing! You never needed to make a decision on your own with one of these trusty toys around.
10. “Leggo My Eggo”
Eggo Homestyle Waffles was one of the best breakfasts an 00s kid could’ve asked for. You knew it was going to be a good day when Mom or Dad decided to throw two of these bad boys in the toaster for breakfast. If it wasn’t the sugary sweetness we loved about these waffles it was the unforgettable commercials.
Who could forget the catchphrase “Leggo My Eggo”? It was absolutely iconic and practically made us love them even more. If you were ever in the freezer aisle their bright packaging definitely caught your eye, that’s when you start begging your mom to stock up on them! Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and these waffles are our nostalgic fave.
9. Monochrome Velvet Tracksuits
Velvet or velour tracksuits were the ultimate easy outfit to throw together in a rush. Not only were these comfortable and functional, but they were also considered extremely fashionable! The monochromatic look was a staple in every girl and woman’s closet in the 00s. Celebs couldn’t stay away from this trend, just take a look at all the icons below.
In fact, starlets were a huge part of the reason this trend exploded in the first place. It was a trendy look that the average girl could wear to more like her Hollywood idols. With several different colors to choose from, there was practically a tracksuit for every occasion! If any 00s outfit makes a comeback we hope it’s this one!
8. Gotcha Gotcha Tamagotchi!
You can practically hear the beeps and boops just looking at his picture. The Tamagotchi allowed you to raise a tiny pet from birth, all from a device that could fit on your keychain. The only downside to this was that they made noise constantly. If your Tamagotchi pet was hungry, needed the bathroom, or was just plain bored, it would beep until it got your attention.
It’s almost like we were being prepared for the experience of having children! The coolest thing about later versions of the toy was that you could connect your Tamagotchi device with your friends, letting your pets play together and even get married! So far we haven’t seen any toy that measures up to these plastic eggs.
7. 2000’s School Lunches
The school lunches our parents packed for us might’ve not been the healthiest, but we couldn’t get enough of them! Kids who grew up in the 2000s were blessed with staples like Lunchables as their midday meal and a Capri Sun to wash it down. These foods were packed with sugar and sodium but we didn’t care, we were kids!
While we might not fill up on these treats as adults they make for a fun nostalgic snack every now and again. And you’re in luck because most of this old-school 00s food is still sold in stores today! One of these days we have to treat ourselves to a totally nostalgic buffet.
6. Zoo Pals, Making Dinner Fun Since 2000
You had two options when you got home after school; you could eat dinner off a regular plate or one that had a fun picture of your favorite animal. Of course, we all chose the second option. And the go-to plate for dinnertime excitement was Zoo Pals! You could chomp your chicken nuggets off a happy hippo or funny froggy face.
And who could forget that super catchy song they played along with the commercials? Honestly, if you never had a meal off one of these then your childhood was definitely lacking. The only thing we wouldn’t recommend is eating beef on the cow plate. There’s just something about it that feels very wrong!
5. Heelys, Half Skate, Half Shoe, All Cool
There wasn’t a shoe in the world cooler than Heelys. We had already seen pairs of rollerskating shoes before these hit the market, but there was something about them that changed the game. You see, these were nothing like a regular pair of rollerskates, the wheel was only in the heel of the shoe. And for some reason that made them so much better.
Maybe it’s because you could roll on your heels around all nonchalant. The downside was that they were a bit of a safety hazard. In fact, many stores started banning people from coming in wearing wheeled shoes. Maybe that was part of the downfall of these kicks, who knows!
4. So Many Fonts, Only One State Fair Project
Computer class in the early 2000s did not usually involve any coding, but it did involve one of the most difficult decisions every student had to make. For example, what kind of crazy eye-catching font were you going to use in your writing project? But kids weren’t the only ones guilty of making these questionable choices…
Teachers from every school were major fans of incorporating these into their classroom signs and posters. Maybe it was the novelty of having a computer that made these fonts so appealing. Nowadays technology like this looks practically prehistoric, you’d be hard-pressed to find any papers with these at the top. Word art like this is definitely a relic of the 00s!
3. Rubber Bracelets for a Cause
It all started with the Livestrong bracelet in 2004. The yellow rubber bracelet became a charitable trend that took off during the decade, practically every organization and cause had its own version. Before Silly Bandz we had our arms covered in these plastic rainbows. And we really felt like we were supporting something important.
Whether it was to raise awareness for forest fires or charities for abandoned puppies, you bet there was a bracelet for it. Every organization tried to make their rubber wristband stand out, but among an armful of colors, it was easy to get lost. This trend tapered off toward the end of the decade, but we think their modern-day counterparts would have to be the Facebook profile photo frame!
2. Our Robot Dog of the Future
What’s the next best thing to get when your parents won’t let you bring a pet home? A robot dog, of course! These plastic pooches were a godsend to any kid who wasn’t allowed to have any furry creatures in the house. The Poo-Chi had eyes that lit up and would actually respond to you and came in green, blue, purple, and pink.
We felt like we were playing with toys from the future whenever we activated these little robot puppers. No doubt these were the favorites of many children who grew up in the 00s, and we wonder how many of you still have yours. Did you raise a Poo Chi as a kid? Leave us a comment and let us know!
1. Coming Home To New Messages
Back before WhatsApp, Instagram, and even Facebook, there was another social media platform that changed our lives. Ruled by a man named Tom and his trademark white t-shirt, MySpace was the original introduction to the internet for most 00s kids. These were the notifications we were dying to come home to after eight grueling hours at school.
Today’s kids will never know the pain of your supposed BFF removing you from their top eight list. They have no idea how much time we put into our profiles, making them as true to our personality as possible. MySpace is practically a dinosaur compared to today’s platforms, but we’ll never forget that it was there first!