As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Privacy Policy / Terms
We all have that one thing from our childhood we wish we never got rid of. Maybe it was a box of old Pokémon cards, a collection of action figures, or a stack of vintage video games. As kids, we played with them, traded them, and sometimes even lost them, never realizing these collectibles would one day be worth a small fortune.
If you’ve ever kicked yourself for throwing away a toy or selling a game for a few bucks at a garage sale, you’re not alone. Let’s take a fun, nostalgic trip back to the best childhood collectibles that could have made you a fortune today (or at the very least, made you feel like a kid again).
1. Pokémon Cards – Gotta Catch ‘Em All (And Keep ‘Em Safe)
Pokémon took the world by storm in the late ’90s, and whether you were battling friends on the playground or just admiring your holographic Charizard, these cards were everything. But did you keep them in a binder, or did they end up with bent corners at the bottom of your backpack? If you had the foresight to stash them safely, you might be sitting on a goldmine today.
What’s Worth Big Money?
- First Edition Holographic Charizard – The holy grail of Pokémon cards, with some selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- Shadowless Cards – Early prints without the shadow effect around the border are extremely valuable.
- Promotional and Tournament Cards – Special releases, like the Pikachu Illustrator card, can be worth six figures.
If you’ve still got a binder full of original Pokémon cards, it might be worth taking a second look—especially if they’re in mint condition.
2. Beanie Babies – The Great Plush Gold Rush
Remember when everyone thought Beanie Babies were the next big investment? Well, turns out they weren’t all valuable—but some of them are. If you happened to keep a few of the rare ones (and didn’t rip the tags off), they might actually be worth something today.
Most Valuable Beanie Babies Today:
- Princess Diana Bear – Some versions sell for thousands.
- Peanut the Royal Blue Elephant – A rare color mistake makes this Beanie worth big bucks.
- Claude the Crab & Valentino Bear – Limited releases of these are highly sought after.
Of course, most Beanie Babies are worth little more than their original retail price, but for those few lucky collectors, the craze wasn’t entirely in vain.
3. Vintage Video Games – Blowing on Cartridges and Banking on Cash
If you grew up in the NES, SNES, or early PlayStation era, you probably had some classics that are now worth serious money. And if you were lucky enough to keep them sealed, even better.
Big-Ticket Video Games:
- Super Mario Bros. (NES, Sealed First Print) – A near-mint copy sold for over $2 million.
- Pokémon Red & Blue (Game Boy, Sealed) – Early versions can fetch over $10,000.
- EarthBound (SNES, Boxed Set) – A cult favorite worth over $5,000.
- Chrono Trigger (SNES, Complete in Box) – One of the most valuable RPGs, selling for thousands.
Moral of the story? If you still have your old Nintendo or PlayStation collection, don’t let it gather dust—look up the value before selling it!
4. Action Figures – From Playtime to Payday
Whether you were into Star Wars, G.I. Joe, Transformers, or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, action figures were the heart of many childhoods. But if you were one of the lucky kids who resisted opening them, you might have something valuable on your hands.
Most Valuable Action Figures:
- Star Wars (Original Kenner Figures, 1970s & 80s) – Some figures, like a mint-condition Boba Fett, sell for over $100,000.
- G.I. Joe (First Edition, 1964) – A rare prototype once sold for $200,000.
- Transformers (G1 Optimus Prime, Sealed) – Pristine versions can sell for thousands.
If you had the patience to leave your toys in the packaging (which most of us did not), you might be sitting on a goldmine.
5. LEGO Sets – Building Blocks of Fortune
LEGO sets have always been fun to build, but did you know they’re also one of the best-performing investments of the last two decades? Some discontinued sets have skyrocketed in value.
Most Valuable LEGO Sets Today:
- LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon (2007, UCS) – Now worth over $5,000 sealed.
- LEGO Taj Mahal (2008) – Once the largest set, now worth around $3,000.
- LEGO Café Corner (2007) – Modular buildings like this can reach $2,500+.
If you held onto your childhood LEGO sets and kept the pieces intact, congratulations—you just built yourself a nice little investment.
6. Hot Wheels – Small Cars, Big Prices
Hot Wheels were some of the most affordable and widely collected toys, but a handful of rare models can fetch jaw-dropping prices today.
Rare & Valuable Hot Wheels:
- 1969 Pink Rear-Loading Volkswagen Beach Bomb – One of the rarest Hot Wheels, worth over $100,000.
- 1968 Custom Camaro (Hong Kong Edition) – Can sell for $20,000+.
- Treasure Hunt Series (1995 and Up) – Special chase cars that collectors seek out.
So, if you ever had a weird-looking, tiny car your friend tried to trade off of you, it might have been worth a whole lot more than you thought.
7. Comic Books – The Superhero Investment
Comic books have always been a collector’s dream, and early editions of superhero comics are now worth astronomical amounts.
Most Valuable Comics:
- Action Comics #1 (First Appearance of Superman, 1938) – Worth over $3 million.
- Amazing Fantasy #15 (First Spider-Man, 1962) – Sells for up to $1 million.
- X-Men #1 (1963) – Classic Marvel comics have serious collector value.
If you kept your comics in good condition (aka, not rolled up in your back pocket), they might be worth more than you think.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Make the Same Mistake Twice
Looking back, we all had treasures that slipped through our fingers. Whether it was a Pokémon card, an old video game, or a Star Wars figure, hindsight is 20/20. But the good news? Collectors are still out there, and you can still start collecting today.
So, before you part ways with that old box of toys or those childhood video games, take a moment to research their value—you might be sitting on a hidden gem.
Did you hold onto any of these collectibles? If so, congrats! And if not… well, at least we can all share the nostalgia.
Views Expressed Disclaimer
The views, opinions, and information presented in this article are for informational purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of Cleveland Wholesale Warehouse, LLC. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, Cleveland Wholesale Warehouse, LLC is not liable for any errors, omissions, or decisions made based on the content provided. Readers are encouraged to consult professionals for specific advice or assistance related to their unique circumstances.
