1993 A to Z: K is for…

Rewind1993 A to Z

Aug 12

Hey there, friends! We’re back for another episode of my 26-part blog series . . .

1993 A to Z!

Today we’re looking at the letter “K.” Everything mentioned here is something that, in one way or another, features in my 90s-themed time travel novel, Rewind. (The book is officially out in the world in just 10 days! You can pre-order your copy here!)

K is for . . .

Kipling keychains

Kipling, a Belgium company that’s been selling backpacks, totes, handbags, and luggage since the late 80s may be best known for their colorful nylon styling, but in 1993, if you went to my school, it was all about that monkey keychain. The monkey (it’s probably an ape, come to think of it, but as kids we always referred to it as a monkey) came in super bright colors that matched the cool backpack your parents had bought you—if you were cool enough to have parents who would spend that kind of money on a backpack (I did not). Most kids ditched the backpack and stuck with the monkey, which was soft, fun to play with, and could suck its own thumb. Who would not be jealous of such a thing??

If you’ve learned anything at all during this blog series, it should not be a surprise that—just like everything else 90s—these guys have been making a recent comeback.

Special props to . . .

Kudos bars

Kudos bars were candy bars masquerading as “healthy” granola bars. Stuffed and coated with chocolate, they were straight-up delicious. My mom may have refused to buy me a super-expensive backpack just so I could have an adorable monkey keychain, but she did let me stick these in my lunchbox on occasion, and for that I am eternally grateful. (Kudos bars have since been discontinued, boo.)

With additional props to . . .

Koosh balls

First launched in the late 1980s, Koosh balls were huge in the 90s. It seemed like every kid had one. Fun to throw or catch or pick at, Koosh balls were the original fidget devices—which is probably why they’re still in production today.