The Candy That Made Us: Novelty & Fun Every Millennial Remembers

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Baby Bottle Pop

Picture this: you're standing in the corner store, the bell chimes above you as you step inside. The air is thick with the sweet aroma of chocolate and sugar, and the glass jars filled with bright candies beckon you closer. You reach into your pocket, fingers brushing against the small bounty of coins—pennies, nickels, dimes—ready to make your selection. One of the first candies that catches your eye? The iconic Baby Bottle Pop.

Introduced in 1998 by Topps Company Inc., the Baby Bottle Pop was an instant hit with kids. Shaped like a baby bottle, this innovative candy required a three-step process: lick, dip, lick again. The tantalizing flavored powder inside was like magic, transforming an ordinary lollipop into an interactive experience. Flavors like Strawberry, Cherry, and Watermelon danced on your taste buds, and the bright colors made it impossible to resist. With prices ranging from 75 cents to $1.25, you could easily grab two or three with your allowance and still have change left over.

The Baby Bottle Pop was more than just candy; it was a ritual. You’d pop off the cap, dip the lollipop into the powder, and savor that first lick. The catchy jingle that played on every kids' TV show was inescapable, embedding itself in your memory: "Baby Bottle Pop, Baby Bottle Pop!" It was playful, silly, and oh-so-fun—a perfect embodiment of the carefree spirit of childhood.

Fast forward to today, and the Baby Bottle Pop is still around, having undergone a few redesigns but maintaining its whimsical charm. It even gained a new generation of fans thanks to a promotional campaign featuring the Jonas Brothers in 2008. You know you're a millennial if you still find yourself singing that jingle on a random Tuesday afternoon.

Push Pop

Next up, let’s talk about the Push Pop. Imagine the thrill of walking into the corner store and spotting those cylindrical tubes of candy lined up like colorful soldiers. Introduced in 1986 and peaking in the 90s, Push Pops were a revolutionary twist on lollipops. For just 50 to 75 cents, you could get a candy with a push-up mechanism that made it fun and interactive. No more sticky fingers from clinging to a regular lollipop!

The design was simple yet ingenious: push from the bottom, and the candy pops up like magic, allowing you to take just the right amount. The retractable cap meant you could save some for later, making it the ultimate portable candy. The flavors were bursting with sweetness, from classic Strawberry to tangy Watermelon, and every lick felt like a small victory.

Push Pops were everywhere in the 90s, often featured in commercials with exuberant kids enjoying their sugary delights. The tagline, "Push it, Pop it, Save it for later!" became a rallying cry for kids everywhere. They were a symbol of creativity and freedom—something to share and trade at recess. Today, they’re still in production, with varieties like Jumbo Push Pop and Push Pop Sliderz. You know you're a millennial if you remember saving your Push Pop for that last, glorious lick at the end of a school day.

Ring Pop

Ah, the Ring Pop—a true gem of childhood nostalgia. Imagine slipping one of those plastic rings onto your finger, the oversized gem glistening in the sunlight. Introduced in 1980 and gaining popularity throughout the 90s, the Ring Pop became playground jewelry and the quintessential candy proposal. For just 25 to 50 cents, you could own a piece of candy that doubled as a fashion statement.

The idea was simple yet brilliant: a lollipop on a ring. It was a candy you could wear, making every lick feel special. The flavors were endless, from cherry to blue raspberry, and the candy could stain your tongue, making it even more fun. It often took center stage in TV shows and movies, where kids would present them as hilarious mock engagement rings—who didn’t dream of proposing with a Ring Pop?

Invented by Frank Richards in 1977 and launched by Topps, the Ring Pop became an iconic piece of pop culture. Even today, you can find them in stores, still bringing joy to kids and adults alike. You know you’re a millennial if you remember the thrill of wearing a Ring Pop as a badge of honor on the playground, showcasing your sweet taste to everyone around.

Hubba Bubba Bubble Tape

As you explore the candy aisle, your eyes land on the unmistakable circular case of Hubba Bubba Bubble Tape. Introduced in 1988, this bubble gum sensation promised “six feet of bubble gum—just for you, not for adults.” For 75 cents to a dollar, you could indulge in the sheer excess of gum that felt like a secret stash only you could enjoy. Unrolling that tape was like unearthing a treasure trove of sugary delight.

The thick, chewy gum came in a variety of flavors, each piece rolled out like a long ribbon of joy. The tagline captured the rebellious spirit of 90s kids perfectly, and the idea of having your own stash of gum felt empowering. The circular case was not just a wrapper; it was a gadget that you could show off to your friends, making you the coolest kid in the class.

Bubble Tape became a staple in lunchboxes and after-school snacks, and its quirky marketing made it a cultural phenomenon. It was featured in countless commercials and remains a beloved brand today, still producing original flavor and new varieties. You know you’re a millennial if you remember your friends trading pieces of Hubba Bubba on the playground, each piece a negotiation of its own.

Bubble Jug

Next, let’s dive into the whimsical world of the Bubble Jug. This miniature milk jug filled with powdered bubble gum was a 90s kids’ delight. Introduced in the early 1990s, the Bubble Jug allowed kids to transform powder into chewable gum—a candy experiment that felt like magic. For just 50 to 75 cents, you were essentially a scientist in your own right!

The concept was inspired by Fun Dip, but instead of sugary powder, you got bubble gum powder that morphed into chewable goodness. The adorable jug-shaped container made it collectible, and the excitement of watching the powder turn into gum was irresistible. Unfortunately, it was discontinued for a time, but due to popular demand, it was revived by Iconic Candy in recent years.

You know you’re a millennial if you often find yourself reminiscing about the delightful moment when you opened a Bubble Jug, the anticipation building as you prepared for that magical transformation. It was an experience, a memory, and a taste of pure nostalgia all rolled into one.

Fun Dip

Finally, we can't forget about Fun Dip, the candy that defined the art of dipping and licking. Originally introduced as Lik-M-Aid in the 1940s, it was rebranded in 1973 to include the iconic Lik-A-Stix for dipping. For a mere 25 to 50 cents, kids could indulge in flavored sugar powder paired with a candy stick, creating a ritual of licking, dipping, and licking again.

Flavors like RazzApple and Cherry Yum Diddly Dip turned fingers and tongues bright colors, and the act of getting sticky was a badge of honor. The bright, colorful packaging was impossible to resist, and the combination of flavors kept kids coming back for more. Fun Dip became a nostalgic favorite throughout the 90s, often seen in lunchboxes and Halloween hauls.

Today, Fun Dip is still in production, delighting new generations of candy lovers. You know you’re a millennial if you remember the thrill of trading your Fun Dip packets at school, each one a tiny treasure filled with sweetness and joy.

The Corner Store is Gone

As we reminisce about these nostalgic treats, it’s hard not to acknowledge the changing landscape of candy shopping. The quaint corner stores that once dotted our neighborhoods have largely disappeared, replaced by gas stations and online retailers. The thrill of walking into a small store, the jingle of the bell, and the joy of picking out penny candies has been replaced with the convenience of delivery. Yet, those memories remain, etched in our hearts like the sweet taste of a Baby Bottle Pop.

Those penny candies taught us that small things add up. A few cents a day became a bag full of joy. Life insurance works the same way—a small monthly amount adds up to big protection for the people you love.

So, what candy would YOU bring back if you could? Drop us a line on Facebook and let’s share in this collective nostalgia!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Baby Bottle Pop — Is it the same as it used to be?

Still in production under Bazooka Candy Brands. Available in multiple flavors including Strawberry, Cherry, Blue Raspberry, Watermelon, Bubblegum, Green Apple, and Grape. The brand has undergone several redesigns since 1998.. Originally introduced in 1998 by Topps Company Inc.. The candy features a hard candy lollipop top, flavored dipping powder in the bottle body, and a cap to close it between uses - making it a 'save for later' candy, which was a huge selling point for parents. Topps, the original manufacturer, was better known for baseball cards and Bazooka Joe gum. The Baby Bottle Pop brand spawned numerous imitators in the novelty candy category. The jingle is consistently ranked among the most memorable candy commercials of the late 90s/early 2000s.

Push Pop — Is it the same as it used to be?

Still in production. Has expanded into multiple varieties including Jumbo Push Pop (spring-loaded), Triple Power, Flip-N-Dip, Push Pop Sliderz, and Push Pump Spray.. Originally introduced in 1986 by Topps Company Inc.. Invented by Topps, the same company that made baseball cards and Bazooka Joe bubble gum. The push-up mechanism was a genuine engineering innovation for candy - it solved the sticky-hands problem of regular lollipops. The cap meant kids could pocket the candy and come back to it later, which parents loved. The brand has spawned numerous varieties including spring-loaded jumbo versions. Push Pops became so iconic that the push-up tube design has been copied by dozens of candy brands worldwide.

Ring Pop — Is it the same as it used to be?

Still in production. Available in numerous flavors and seasonal varieties. Remains one of the most recognizable novelty candies in America.. Originally introduced in 1980 (officially launched) by Topps Company Inc. (invented by Frank Richards in 1977). Invented in 1977 by Frank Richards, a product engineer at Topps, who created it to help his daughter break her thumb-sucking habit. The gold-colored plastic ring base became an iconic design element. Ring Pops effectively merged fashion and food for kids, which was a revolutionary concept. The candy has been used in real marriage proposals (both as jokes and genuine ones). Multiple comedians and TV shows have featured Ring Pop proposals in their material.

Hubba Bubba Bubble Tape — Is it the same as it used to be?

Still in production. Original Bubble Gum flavor remains the bestseller. Available in multiple flavors. Still uses the iconic round dispenser packaging.. Originally introduced in 1988 by Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company. At peak popularity in the early 1990s, over 1 million Bubble Tape containers were being manufactured every single week. The Hubba Bubba parent brand was introduced in 1979 and was named after the WWII military expression 'Hubba Hubba' used to express approval. The round dispenser design was revolutionary - it turned a simple piece of gum into a collectible gadget. The anti-adult marketing angle ('for you, not them') was perfectly calibrated for the generation that would grow up to love 'Kidz Bop' and 'Are You Afraid of the Dark?'

Bubble Jug — Can you still buy it?

Originally discontinued. Revived by Iconic Candy as a nostalgic retro product. Available in Tropical Fruit flavor through specialty candy retailers and Amazon.. Originally introduced in Early 1990s by Amurol Products / Topps Company Inc.. The concept was inspired by Fun Dip - Topps wanted to create a similar powder-based candy experience but with bubble gum. The powder-to-gum transformation worked through the action of chewing and saliva breaking down the sugar coating to reveal the gum base within. The milk jug container design was part of the 90s trend of novelty candy packaging (everything needed a gimmick). Amurol Products, which may have originally developed it, was known for innovative bubble gum products.

Fun Dip — Is it the same as it used to be?

Still in production. Available in original and new flavor varieties. Now manufactured by Ferrara Candy Company after Nestle sold the brand to Ferrero in 2018.. Originally introduced in 1942 (as Lik-M-Aid), 1973 (rebranded as Fun Dip with Lik-A-Stix added) by Sunline Inc. (originally as 'Lik-M-Aid' in the 1940s-50s). Originally called 'Lik-M-Aid' when first created in the 1940s/50s - it was just powder without the dipping stick. The edible 'Lik-A-Stix' was added in 1973 when the brand was renamed Fun Dip. The Lik-M-Aid trademark was filed in 1952. Originally manufactured by Fruzola, then Sunline Inc. through their Sunmark Brands division. Purchased by Nestle in January 1989 and sold to Ferrero/Ferrara in 2018. The candy is essentially flavored dextrose (sugar) - the Lik-A-Stix is made of compressed sugar. The product has survived 80+ years of production across multiple owners.