1. Sugar Babies
Sugar Babies were chewy, bite-sized caramel nuggets that stuck to your teeth in the most satisfying way. They were born out of the Sugar Daddy caramel pop but quickly developed their own fan base. Their colorful yellow box was a staple at movie theaters, and kids loved shaking them around before tearing it open. They were sweet, gooey, and lasted long enough to make you feel like you got your money’s worth.
Chocolate couldn’t compete with the fun of having a whole box of chewy caramel pieces that seemed endless. The texture made them different from a bar of chocolate—you had to work at them, and that made the reward sweeter. They also became a trading staple at school, with kids swapping a few for other candies. Over time, their popularity dipped as flashier candies took over, but anyone who grew up with them remembers their sticky charm.
2. Lik-M-Aid Fun Dip
Few things made kids feel more powerful than dunking that edible sugar stick into brightly colored powder. Fun Dip was more about the ritual than the flavor. You’d lick the chalky white stick, dip it into neon sugar dust, and keep going until your tongue turned wild shades of blue or green. It was messy, loud, and absolutely loved by every sugar-craving kid. Sharing sticks was a definite no, but trading packs was common at lunch.
The candy was pure sugar with a touch of artificial flavoring, but it didn’t matter. Fun Dip gave you a feeling of control—you decided how much powder to coat your stick with each time. The candy stick itself was almost flavorless, yet somehow the perfect vehicle for the sugary dust. It was far more popular than chocolate for a while, simply because it felt like an activity. Once parents got wind of just how much sugar was inside, the craze slowed down. Still, that powdery mess remains one of the most nostalgic forgotten candies.
3. Astro Pops
Astro Pops looked like rocket ships, and for kids growing up during the space race, that was enough to make them iconic. They were triangular lollipops stacked with three colors, and they always felt like a little science experiment. The hard candy was dense, sharp, and could last a long time if you didn’t bite into it. Kids often debated which color tasted best. They were just futuristic enough to capture imaginations.
Part of the reason they disappeared was safety. Parents started worrying about the pointed ends being a little too sharp for children. Plus, they weren’t the easiest candies to eat without breaking a tooth. Still, when you held one, you felt like you were holding a piece of the future. Chocolate never seemed quite as adventurous compared to something shaped like a rocket. They may not have lasted, but Astro Pops lit up childhoods for a while.
4. Candy Buttons
The sight of rows of tiny candy dots stuck to paper was a thrill for kids. Candy Buttons weren’t about rich flavor; they were about the fun of peeling them off the strip. Sometimes, you’d eat a little bit of paper with them, but that was part of the experience. They came in long sheets, which made it easy to share or save for later. Kids loved unrolling them slowly, picking off each candy dot one at a time.
They were more popular than chocolate because of their playful presentation. Chocolate was nice, but it wasn’t interactive. Candy Buttons turned eating sweets into an activity, almost like a game. The colors were bright and cheerful, and they felt endless when you had a whole strip. Eventually, other candies with more intense flavors and smoother textures pushed them aside. Still, the sight of those pastel dots on white paper instantly brings back childhood memories.
5. Bottle Caps
Bottle Caps looked like little soda tops and tasted like your favorite soft drinks. Each one came in flavors like root beer, cola, and grape, giving them a nostalgic, fizzy feel. They weren’t fizzy in reality, but the taste was enough to convince kids they were drinking candy soda. Trading flavors was a big part of the fun, with root beer fans and grape lovers often vying for extras.
They were more popular than chocolate because they captured the soda craze in candy form. Chocolate couldn’t compete with something that tasted like a fizzy treat. The texture was powdery, almost like a Smartie, but the flavors were distinct. Over time, the hype around them faded, and they became harder to find. For a generation, though, Bottle Caps were the ultimate snack for soda-loving kids.
6. Zotz
Zotz were candy with a little surprise hidden inside. They looked like hard fruit candies at first glance, but biting into one revealed a fizzy, sour center. That shock factor was what made them so addictive. The fizzing center felt like a little science experiment in your mouth.
Chocolate didn’t stand a chance against something that actually bubbled when you ate it. Zotz were a playground hit because kids loved daring each other to handle the sour explosion. They were cheap, came in bold flavors, and always made you feel like you were in on a secret. Eventually, the novelty wore off, and sour gummies took their place. But nothing quite captured that fizzing magic again.
7. Pixy Stix
Few candies screamed pure sugar like Pixy Stix. They were nothing more than flavored powder inside a paper straw. Kids loved tearing the end and pouring the contents directly onto their tongues. It was a sugar rush in its purest form. Parents weren’t thrilled, but kids couldn’t get enough.
Chocolate was rich and heavy, but Pixy Stix were light and exciting. They made you feel daring because you were basically eating spoonfuls of sugar. They were traded constantly at school and were perfect for sharing. Over time, health concerns and changing tastes made them fade away. Still, they remain one of the most memorable sugar bombs of childhood.
8. Marathon Bar
The Marathon Bar was a twisty, braided chocolate-covered caramel bar that seemed to last forever. Despite having chocolate, it wasn’t remembered for that—it was all about the chewy caramel. The bar was huge, often longer than a kid’s forearm. Its bright red wrapper promised a candy that could go the distance.
It was more popular than regular chocolate bars because of the experience. The caramel stretched with every bite, making it feel like you got more candy for your money. The fun of eating it slowly set it apart. Eventually, it was discontinued, but kids who grew up with it still remember the challenge of finishing one. The Marathon Bar’s playful design made it unforgettable.
9. Necco Wafers
Necco Wafers were thin, chalky discs that came in pastel colors. They weren’t flashy, but they carried a sense of tradition. Many kids grew up with grandparents who offered them straight from candy jars. The mild flavors and brittle texture made them easy to snack on. They came in rolls that seemed to last forever.
Chocolate may have been indulgent, but Necco Wafers had history on their side. They were simple, nostalgic, and uniquely recognizable. For a while, their old-fashioned charm made them a favorite. Over time, their popularity faded, with newer candies stealing the spotlight. Still, their pastel colors and waxy texture bring back a wave of memories.
10. Nik-L-Nip Wax Bottles
These little wax bottles filled with sweet liquid were a novelty like no other. You’d bite off the top, drink the sugary juice, and then chew the wax like gum. The wax wasn’t edible, but kids didn’t mind. The experience was the whole point.
Compared to chocolate, Nik-L-Nip felt like an adventure. It was interactive and playful, even if the flavor didn’t last long. Kids loved the idea of drinking candy from a tiny bottle. Over time, parents grew less fond of the waxy mess, and the candy faded from shelves. Still, anyone who had one remembers the ritual of biting, sipping, and chewing.
11. BarNone
BarNone was a candy bar that packed in layers of wafers, peanuts, and chocolate. It was crunchy, nutty, and came in a long rectangular shape. For a while, it was a real competitor to the bigger chocolate brands. Its slogan promised “the chocolate lovers’ bar,” but people remember it for its texture.
It stood out because of its unique build. The crunch combined with chocolate made it feel indulgent without being too heavy. Kids loved the combination, and it often won over chocolate bars that felt too simple. Eventually, it was discontinued in the ’90s, leaving fans nostalgic. For a time, BarNone was one of the most popular treats around.
12. Charleston Chew
Charleston Chews were long, chewy nougat bars covered in chocolate. They weren’t remembered so much for the chocolate, but for the way kids ate them. Some preferred freezing them first and cracking off chunks. Others just chewed until their jaws got tired.
It was more than a candy—it was an activity. Chocolate was a quick treat, but Charleston Chews could last much longer. They were also shared a lot because of their size. Over time, the brand faded, but the memory of frozen Charleston Chews stuck around. They were a candy that made you work for your reward.
13. Chunky
Chunky was an unusual square-shaped candy bar filled with peanuts and raisins. It was dense, heavy, and totally different from anything else on the shelf. Kids either loved it or hated it. For those who loved it, the combination was unbeatable.
It was more popular than plain chocolate because it felt unique. The square design made it memorable, and the raisins added something unexpected. It stood out at a time when most candy bars were trying to be sleek and simple. Eventually, tastes changed, and it became less common. But for many, Chunky will always be the quirky candy that broke the rules.
14. Now and Later
Now and Later candies were square, chewy taffy pieces that lived up to their name. They were tough at first but softened as you chewed. Kids loved how long they lasted, stretching out snack time. They came in bright, fruity flavors that stood out from chocolate’s heaviness.
They were popular because they offered a slow burn of sweetness. While chocolate disappeared quickly, Now and Later stuck around, keeping you busy. They were also cheap, making them a go-to for kids on a budget. Over time, newer chewy candies like Starburst stole their thunder. Still, for a while, Now and Later ruled lunchboxes and corner stores.
15. Sixlets
Sixlets were tiny candy-coated chocolate spheres that came in long, skinny cellophane tubes. Their colors were brighter and glossier than M&Ms, and kids loved the way they rattled inside the package. You’d either pour a bunch into your mouth at once or eat them one by one, savoring the candy shell before hitting the chocolate inside. For years, they were a movie theater favorite and found their way into holiday candy bowls too.
They were more popular than chocolate bars because they were so much fun to eat and share. You could open one end of the package and slowly slide them out like beads. The thin candy shell gave them a unique crunch, and their small size made them feel endless. Over time, bigger chocolate brands overshadowed them, but for those who grew up with Sixlets, just seeing that long, clear wrapper is enough to bring back childhood memories.
16. Chiclets
Chiclets were tiny, square-shaped pieces of candy-coated gum that came in rainbow packs. They looked cheerful and colorful, which made them irresistible to kids. The gum inside wasn’t long-lasting, but it was fun to chew while the flavor lasted. For a while, they were one of the most popular candies in corner stores and vending machines.
Unlike a chocolate bar, Chiclets felt playful and interactive. You could pour out a few, share them with friends, or line them up like building blocks. The crunch of the candy shell was always satisfying, even if the gum flavor disappeared quickly. They eventually faded as larger gum brands like Big Red and Juicy Fruit took over, but they’ll always be remembered for their bite-sized charm.
17. Mary Janes
Mary Janes were old-fashioned peanut butter and molasses chews that came in their signature yellow and red wrappers. They had a chewy, slightly sticky texture that made them a slow burn kind of treat. Kids often got them in Halloween bags, and they divided opinion—you either loved them or traded them away. Despite their polarizing flavor, they had a long history and were once wildly popular.
They stood out from chocolate because they were different, with a flavor that leaned more old-fashioned and nostalgic. They were cheap and came in big bags, making them a staple in candy jars. While newer, flashier candies eventually pushed them aside, they had a loyal fan base for decades. Today, they’re mostly remembered as a candy from another era, but one that still sparks conversation whenever it’s brought up.
18. Clove Gum
Clove Gum was a unique, spicy gum with a flavor you didn’t find anywhere else. The red packaging and unusual taste made it stand out in a candy aisle full of sweetness. It wasn’t for everyone, but those who liked it swore by its strong, clove-like kick. For a while, it had a cult following, and kids who wanted something different gravitated toward it.
It became more popular than chocolate among adventurous candy lovers who liked its grown-up taste. Unlike chocolate, which was predictable, Clove Gum felt exotic and daring. It was also cheap and easy to find at small-town stores. Eventually, its unusual flavor fell out of fashion, and it faded from shelves. Still, for those who tried it, Clove Gum remains one of the most unforgettable forgotten candies.