The 1980's was a fun decade for candy.  You could visit the concession stand at the local little league field or ride your bike down to the corner store to buy some candy with your spare change.  Nerds, Runts, Push Pops, Big League Chew, Spree, Airheads, and Smarties, to name a few. 

The 1980's was also the decade that allowed us to finally "Taste the Rainbow" when Skittles began production in the U.S. in 1982. The rainbow flavors stayed the same until 2013 when Green Apple replaced the original Lime flavor of the green Skittle.  This caused some minor backlash from consumers, and rest assured, the Lime can now be found in the Skittles Darkside assortment. 

Sour Patch Kids were known as Mars Men in the 1970's, but didn't rise in popularity until 1985 when they were re-branded as Sour Patch Kids.  This was likely an attempt to capitalize on the popularity of Cabbage Patch Kids and Garbage Pail Kids, and it worked.  They can still be found in stores today. 

And where would the 1980's be without Nerds? Nerds were created in 1983, and by 1985 they were named "Candy of the Year."  Nerds had a unique package with two compartments containing two flavors, and the sliding top allowed you to open and close them as you pleased.  Nerds were so popular that they even had their own breakfast cereal. Nerds cereal kept with the theme and offered two flavors in one box, in separate compartments.  The box even included a mail-in offer for a cereal bowl that was divided in two. You may also remember a close cousin of the Nerds called Dweebs. 

Dweebs were introduced in the 1990's and they were a soft, chewy version of the Nerds. Unfortunately they were only available for a short time.

For more of your 1980's candy favorites, visit us at https://www.oldtimecandy.com/collections/candy-by-decade.