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Older millennials were the last generation to experience life before the digital takeover. Those who grew up in the 90s and early 2000s enjoyed that glorious time, which would now be at least a quarter of a century ago. 

Of course, we at Bored Panda love nostalgia as much as many of our readers do. So, to bring in a flood of colorful memories, here are some memes to throw you back to a simpler time. 

We’ve collected these pictures from Shawn Harper, a.k.a Saturday Morning Nostalgia on Instagram. He has no shortage of posts reminiscing about school lunches, Friday nights at Pizza Hut, and Blockbuster membership cards. If you grew up during this era, this one’s for you.

#1

Text meme comparing how kids today find out school is canceled by text versus waking up early to watch TV for announcements, nostalgic memories.

saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

turk
Community Member
6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pfft. I had to listen to the local radio station, with updates about every 20 minutes or so. And back then, they'd risk a bus full of kids' lives in a historic blizzard with 20" of snow, 70 mph winds and -20 degree temps to get them to school. Now, it seems like a few flakes in sweater weather will cause a cancellation. Now get off my lawn!

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    If you vividly remember enjoying the 90s and early 2000s, you’re likely an Xennial. For the uninformed, this microgeneration between Gen X and millennials classifies the group of people born between 1977 and 1983. 

    You lived a part of your childhood like your Gen X brothers and sisters, who spent most of their carefree days outside. But at the same time, you weren’t too old to keep up with the digital age because you were there during its infancy. 

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    #4

    Teenager browsing colorful posters in store, evoking nostalgic memories from past years and childhood moments.

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

    Mari
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember all the posters of Titanic, the Backstreetboys, Spice Girls...

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    #5

    Play-Doh containers with colorful dough shown as nostalgic pics to unlock memories from childhood.

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

    The Majestic Opossum
    Community Member
    Premium
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tasted salty as hell though...

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    #6

    Vintage candy packs and nostalgic items evoking memories from childhood stress and comfort foods.

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

    Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I actually loved the taste of those things. It was a kind of wintergreen/teaberry flavor and I loved it.

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    University of Melbourne sociology professor Dan Woodman described it succinctly: “a particularly unique experience. As he told Mamamia, he got to experience the best of both worlds between digital and analog. 

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    "We learned to consume media and came of age before there was Facebook and Twitter and Snapchat and all these things where you still watch the evening news or read the newspaper," said Woodman, who was born in 1980.

    #8

    Making nostalgic juice from frozen orange concentrate poured into a clear plastic measuring cup, childhood memories.

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

    Lost Panda
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I used to eat them from the container with a spoon XD

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    #9

    Pizza Hut booth with a fresh meat pizza and drink on a checkered table, evoking nostalgic memories from the past.

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

    Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Kate Bush Running up that hill and playing a tabletop Pac-Man game. Circa 1985.

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    90s nostalgia has been prominent in recent years. Many fashion trends of the decade even made a strong comeback in 2024, proving how much they left a mark on many people. But why is that? 

    University of Wollongong lecturer and pop culture expert Dr. Renee Middlemost points to the influence of current media. According to her, Netflix recommendations, for example, “narrowed the tastes of people,” leading to “pop culture loops that come around much quicker.

    #11

    Old and new McDonald's buildings side by side, highlighting nostalgic memories from childhood and changes over time.

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

    Jacob B.
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Probably yanked them out because of lawsuits. Kid get hurt, sue the franchise owner, insurance pays. Next, insurance says get rid of them or we cancel. Out they go.

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    The 90s and early 2000s are most similar to current times, making them relatable to the younger generation. But if you lived through these years, you look back on them fondly as a carefree moment in your life. Dr. Middlemost used the hit TV show FRIENDS as an example.

    “You always want to hang on to your friends. It's also a show about negotiating life in your early 20s,” she explained. “You would see how it would be dated, but those common themes continue to be popular."

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    What about you, dear readers? Did these memes take you back to your younger, more carefree years? Did they bring back a flood of core memories? Share your insights in the comments!

    #16

    Meme showing a man humorously explaining molten rock is called magma, highlighting nostalgic memories from public school.

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

    ElfVibratorGlitter
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Magma becomes lava when it breaks through the Earth's crust.

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    #17

    School lunch nostalgic pic showing a slice of pizza with melted cheese and sausage on a white tray.

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

    CD Mills
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was poor, so I liked most school food better than the dust in the cabinets at home.

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    #19

    Early Yahoo homepage screenshot showcasing nostalgic internet design in nostalgic pics to unlock memories.

    The Internet used to be so pure!

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

    Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
    Community Member
    6 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My first Web Browser was Lynx. Text only. That's why there's that "Text Only Yahoo" button at the bottom. Started in 1992 and still going BTW. It's handy for extremely low bandwidth applications because it doesn't download any graphics. It's also immune to 99% of the ads out there for the same reason.

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    #21

    Collage of nostalgic 90s TV shows and snacks reflecting the theme of nostalgic pics to unlock childhood memories.

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

    The Majestic Opossum
    Community Member
    Premium
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Peak 90s, life will never get any better!

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    #23

    Collage of nostalgic cartoon characters and a celebrity face to unlock childhood memories and nostalgia.

    Billy West is such a huge part of our childhood!

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

    Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
    Community Member
    6 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He's right up there with Mel Blanc in terms of talent. A modern man of 1000 voices.

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    #26

    Retro robotic dog toy with purple accents symbolizing nostalgic memories from childhood years.

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

    Colleen Glim
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When the batteries were dying but not quite dead, they would randomly move and make noise for a couple seconds and then stop. Scared the c**p out of my at 3 am a few times

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    #28

    Retro GoldenEye 007 video game cartridge on a classic console, representing nostalgic gaming memories.

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

    Robert T
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd been driving 5 years when Golden Eye came out. I bought the car in 1999, though mine is silver not atlanta blue. Not only that, but the salesman was called J. Bond. LOL

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    #30

    Retro video game map showing Yoshi's Island, Vanilla Dome, and Donut Plains with tips and secret passages for nostalgic memories.

    If you vacationed here as a kid! Your childhood was awesome!

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

    The Majestic Opossum
    Community Member
    Premium
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Vacationed? I lived there son!

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    #32

    Group of kids sleeping on the floor and furniture after a sleepover, capturing nostalgic memories from childhood nights.

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

    VogueGal
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The only different shoes weren’t allowed inside the house.

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    #33

    Popular nostalgic drinks from the 90s and early 2000s unlocking memories through iconic beverage brands.

    Which was your favorite?

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

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    #35

    Yellow vintage robot toy named Robie with green eyes and dollar sign symbol, evoking nostalgic memories unlocked.

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

    Bi.Felicia
    Community Member
    Premium
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, I completely forgot about Robie, one of the coolest piggy banks that I can remember.

    #36

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

    Serena Myers
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Too old to have encountered one of these, but I think heese, bout, suil, soat would have confused me! XD

    Bi.Felicia
    Community Member
    Premium
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Umm, what? Your comment started out strong but about half way through you have confused me.

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    #37

    Scene from Master of Disguise movie with a man in disguise and woman smiling, evoking nostalgic memories from early 2000s.

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

    Shane S
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Such a horrible movie. I was a kid and walked out. That’s how bad it was

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    #39

    Two people at a table on a nostalgic video game review show, recalling memories before YouTube reviews existed.

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In Australia it was Good Game for the older people and Good Game Spawn Point for the younger ones.

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    #41

    1997 Taco Bell drive-thru menu showcasing nostalgic combos and classic items from the 90s to unlock memories.

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

    The Majestic Opossum
    Community Member
    Premium
    6 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Double Decker Taco, nachos Bell Grande, beef gordita supreme, 7 layer burrito, tostadas... OMG so many greats they got rid of! For what? Chicken nuggets and nacho fries?? This makes me unreasonably angry 😡

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    #43

    SpongeBob and Patrick in a nostalgic cartoon scene showing SpongeBob covered in suds and looking tired.

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

    Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I ignored that show until I was in college but then a friend showed me a couple episodes and all the hidden adult humor was hilarious.

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    #44

    Purple thumb suckers candy from the 90s evoking nostalgic memories and childhood treats on display.

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

    Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There are many more descriptives I could use besides "wild" but BP will censor them.

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    #45

    Red translucent vintage FM portable radio with attached black earbuds, nostalgic item triggering childhood memories and retro technology.

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

    Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not that style but I remember ones that were built into actual headphones.

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    #46

    Red Hit Clips music player with Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears cartridges, nostalgic 2000s music accessory unlocking memories.

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

    Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Those were such garbage. ONE minute of audio. Are you just going to listen to that same minute on loop all day?

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    #47

    Nostalgic cartoons from 1996-2004 and 2010-2015 side by side, highlighting memories from different eras.

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

    Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Apart from the kid and dog from Adventure time I don't recognise any of them on the right.

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    #49

    Nostalgic Hubba Bubba gum variety including Bubble Tape, Bubble Jug, Blushin Skittles, and Gush collectible tin.

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

    LilyWai
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My Mum bought back Hubba Bubba Tape for me from her work trip to the US & I was in love.

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    #51

    Nintendo store display with retro games and consoles, evoking nostalgic memories from childhood for many years old fans.

    saturday_morning_nostalgia Report

    Robert Beveridge
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The back section of the video store, behind the curtain.

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