10 Childhood Snacks That Shaped Me

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1. Gushers

Gushers were the ultimate thrill snack. You’d bite into them and—bam!—a burst of sugary juice exploded in your mouth. That little rush made them feel more like a science experiment than a treat. They were marketed with wild commercials that made them seem super edgy, and the flavors were always bright and fun. Everyone at school wanted Gushers in their lunchbox—if you had a pack, you were popular for that lunch period.

2. Squeeze Its

Squeeze Its weren’t just a drink—they were a vibe. Those brightly colored bottles with wild cartoon faces felt alive. You’d twist off the top and squeeze the juice into your mouth, and it felt like pure chaos in the best way. The flavor names were fun, the colors were borderline radioactive, and the whole thing just screamed 90s. If you had one of these in your lunch, it was the beverage flex of the playground.

3. Lunchables

Lunchables made you feel like a tiny executive. There was something powerful about peeling back that plastic and building your own meal, especially the pizza or nacho ones. It gave you control. Even if the cheese was kinda weird and the crackers were dry, you felt like royalty making your own lunch. The mini desserts or Capri Suns that sometimes came with them made it all the more worth it.

4. Wafer Cookies

These pastel-colored wafer cookies were a gentle classic. With layers of light, crunchy cookie and sweet cream in between, they felt old-school in the best way. They didn’t come with commercials or bright packaging, but if you knew, you knew. They melted in your mouth and were perfect for quiet snack times or sneaking a few from grandma’s pantry.

5. Mystics

Mystic drinks felt fancy, like something older teens or cool uncles drank. The glass bottle, the bold fruity flavors, the soft gradient of the label—it all gave grown-up vibes. But drinking a Mystic with a sandwich or chips made lunch feel upgraded. It felt like a special treat, like you were part of something a little more elevated than a juice box crowd.

6. 3D Doritos

3D Doritos were the snack that made snacking fun. The puffed-out shape and crunch made them different from regular chips, and the commercials made you feel like you were experiencing something from the future. The flavor was bold, and they came in a little tube that made them feel more high-tech than a bag. Every bite was exaggerated—loud, crunchy, and memorable.

7. Graham Crackers

Graham crackers were comfort in snack form. Whether you were dipping them in milk, spreading peanut butter on them, or just eating them plain, they were always satisfying. They had a light sweetness that wasn’t too much and made them feel more wholesome than some of the sugary snacks on the list. Plus, they were a go-to for s’mores, which gives them bonus points.

8. Saltines

Simple, salty, and underrated. Saltines were the snack that showed up during sick days and soup nights, but they were also great all on their own. I’d eat them plain, stacked, or with a little slice of cheese. Their simplicity was what made them good—and their crunch was unbeatable. They weren’t flashy, but they were always there.

9. Fruit by the Foot

Unrolling a Fruit by the Foot felt like unspooling a scroll of joy. It was long, stretchy, and fun to eat—sometimes competitively. You could wear it like a ribbon or scarf before devouring it, which made it part snack, part toy. The flavor was always super fruity and artificial in the best way, and I always tried to get the longest one in the pack.

10. Two Ball Screwball

Now this was the holy grail of frozen treats. The Screwball was part slushy, part ice cream, and came with two gumballs at the bottom like a little treasure reward for finishing your dessert. The gum was always too hard and lost flavor in seconds, but it didn’t matter. It was the experience. Getting one from the ice cream truck was a moment of pure joy.

Honorable Mentions

• Push Pops – Candy you could wear on your finger and enjoy for hours.