9 Nostalgic Smells From the 90s That Will Take You Right Back to Childhood 

When people think about 90s nostalgia, typically they think about the music, movies and questionable fashion choices. But, some of the most memorable moments from the 90s come from something you probably haven't thought about in years … 

The smells.

Remember opening a fresh container of Play-Doh? Or the fruity scent of those markers you definitely weren't supposed to sniff?

From classroom favourites to candy aisle classics, these nine nostalgic smells have a way of taking you straight back to childhood. 

And the best part?

While some of these 90s products have been discontinued, others are still around and a few have even made a comeback.

RELATED: Wonder what was popular in the 90s but rare today ...

1. Fruit Stripe Gum

Remember standing in the candy aisle with a few coins in your pocket, trying to decide what treat to bring home? With its rainbow-coloured stripes, fruity flavours and iconic zebra mascot, Fruit Stripe Gum was a hard choice to pass up!

First introduced in the 1960s, this colourful gum quickly became a childhood favourite. There was nothing quite like peeling back the wrapper, picking your favourite colour and popping a stick into your mouth.

But there was one BIG problem.

The flavour was gone before you knew it! One minute, you were enjoying a burst of fruity sweetness, and the next, you were digging through the pack for another piece. 

The smell: A sugary explosion of artificial fruit, with hints of cherry, citrus and melon.

Where is it now? Sadly, after more than 50 years, the colourful gum has been discontinued. 

2. Floam

There was a time when covering your bedroom door, pencil case or favourite toy in colourful, squishy goo seemed like a brilliant idea. Especially if that goo was Floam!

First introduced in the 1990s, Floam was part slime, part modelling clay and packed with thousands of tiny foam beads. You could squish it, stretch it, mould it into shapes or stick it onto just about anything. It was messy, oddly satisfying and practically impossible to put down.

Of course, the commercials conveniently left out one tiny detail...

Floam stained EVERYTHING! That colourful masterpiece you proudly stuck to your bedroom furniture? 

Your parents probably had a few choice words about it!

The smell: A distinctive, slightly chemical, plasticky scent with a hint of artificial sweetness. It had that unmistakable new-toy smell, mixed with the faint scent of foam beads and craft materials. 

Not exactly a perfume-worthy fragrance … but one that instantly brings back memories.

Where is it now? Floam disappeared from toy shelves for a while, but it wasn't gone forever. Nickelodeon and NSI International brought it back in 2012 with a revamped formula designed to be easier to handle and clean up. While it never quite reclaimed its original 90s playground status, Floam remains a nostalgic favourite for anyone who remembers the joy of turning a tub of colourful goo into about anything.

3. Lip Smackers

Picture this: It's the 90s … you've got a crush on someone in your class, and your favourite teen magazine has you convinced that Lip Smackers might be the secret to your first kiss. 

One quick swipe before recess, another before lunch, and it's game time!

First introduced in 1973 by Bonne Bell, Lip Smackers turned ordinary lip balm into a childhood must-have. With colourful tubes, a little shine and sweet flavours like strawberry, watermelon and Dr Pepper, they made keeping your lips soft more fun. 

And whether that first kiss ever happened or not, chances are you had three other flavours waiting in your backpack!

The smell: Strawberry, watermelon, cotton candy, bubble gum and just about every sugary scent you could imagine. The second you popped off the cap, you got a burst of fruity sweetness. They smelled so good, it was hard to believe they weren't actually candy!

Where is it now? Good news! Lip Smackers are still around today, with classic fruity favourites and plenty of newer flavours to choose from. So, if you're feeling nostalgic, you can still get your hands on a little taste of your childhood. 

No school crush required.

4. Hubba Bubba Bubble Tape

Remember heading to the corner store with your allowance and grabbing a container of Hubba Bubba Bubble Tape? 

There was nothing quite like popping open that colourful round container, peeling back the wrapper and pulling out a giant strip of gum.

First introduced in the 1980s by the Wrigley Company, this 90s childhood favourite packed six feet of bubblegum into one little container and was known for being less sticky than other brands. Because apparently, six feet of gum was a challenge, not a serving suggestion! 

The smell: Sweet, sugary bubblegum smell with hints of fruity candy and strawberry.

Where is it now? Hubba Bubba Bubble Tape is still around today! Now owned by Mars Wrigley, the iconic six-foot roll continues to be sold in stores and online, proving that some childhood favourites never go out of style.

5. Mr. Sketch Scented Markers

Remember sitting in class, popping the caps off your Mr. Sketch markers and smelling every single one before you even started colouring? These scented markers were a must-have in classrooms throughout the '80s and '90s, and having a full set made you the envy of your classmates.

First introduced in 1965, Mr. Sketch markers were famous for their bright colours and fruity scents. From cherry red to blueberry blue, every marker had its own unique smell. 

And let's be honest … you probably spent more time sniffing them than actually finishing your school project!

The smell: A mix of sweet, fruity and sometimes downright strange scents! Cherry, watermelon, grape and blueberry were classroom favourites, while black licorice and cinnamon weren't quite as universally loved. The fragrances were strong enough to fill the room, and chances are you still remember your favourite.

Where is it now? Good news for anyone feeling nostalgic! 

Mr. Sketch scented markers are still available today, with many of the classic colours and fragrances that made them so popular. While the packaging has changed over the years, the fun of matching each colour to its signature scent hasn't gone anywhere.

6. Play-Doh

First introduced in the 1950s by Rainbow Crafts, Play-Doh quickly became a childhood favourite. This soft, colourful modelling dough could be squished, rolled, flattened and moulded into about anything your imagination could dream up. From pretend birthday cakes to tiny animals, a few little tubs could turn the kitchen table into your very own art studio.

Of course, the fun usually ended when someone forgot to put the lid back on. Nothing quite like discovering your favourite Play-Doh had turned into a rock overnight!

The smell: A slightly salty, doughy scent with a subtle sweetness. Think fresh flour and a little something you could never quite put your finger on.

And if you think that smell is one of a kind, you're not alone. It's so recognizable that Hasbro actually trademarked it!

Where is it now? Play-Doh is still going strong. Now owned by Hasbro, the colourful modelling compound continues to fill toy shelves with classic tubs, creative playsets and new ways to make a mess. 

7. Scratch-and-Sniff Stickers

There was a time when getting a sticker on your schoolwork was a pretty big deal. But getting a scratch-and-sniff sticker?

That was next-level excitement! 

Whether it was a smiling strawberry, a slice of pizza or a bunch of grapes, you couldn't wait to scratch the surface and see if it actually smelled like the picture.

Scratch-and-sniff stickers became especially popular in the 1980s, with brands like Trend Enterprises bringing scented rewards into classrooms everywhere. These colourful stickers released their fragrances when rubbed, making them a favourite among teachers and kids alike.

And if you had a sticker collection, you probably spent more time scratching and sniffing than actually sticking them anywhere. 

Bonus points if you managed to keep your favourites smelling good for more than a week!

The smell: Everything from sweet strawberries and bubblegum to popcorn, pizza and even pickles! Some smelled surprisingly realistic, while others were a little questionable. 

But that first scratch of a brand-new sticker? Pure childhood magic.

Where is it now? Scratch-and-sniff stickers never completely disappeared! Brands like Trend Enterprises still make scented stickers, and plenty of nostalgic designs can be found online. They're still making their way into classrooms, meaning your kids can experience the same excitement of getting a sticker that smells like a slice of pizza. 

Some things never get old!

RELATED: Some parents are introducing their kids to the cartoons they grew up watching ...

8. Bath & Body Works 

Remember walking into the mall and knowing you were getting close to Bath & Body Works before you even saw the store? 

That wall of fruity, floral fragrances was impossible to miss! And if you were growing up in the 90s or early 2000s, chances are you had a favourite scent that practically became your signature.

Founded in 1990 in New Albany, Bath & Body Works became famous for its scented lotions, shower gels, body sprays and hand soaps. With colourful bottles and fragrances like Cucumber Melon, Sun-Ripened Raspberry and Warm Vanilla Sugar, it turned an ordinary trip to the mall into a full-blown fragrance-testing session.

Of course, you couldn't leave without trying at least five different lotions. By the time you got home, your hands smelled like an entire fruit salad!

The smell: Sweet, fruity and impossible to forget!

Where is it now? Bath & Body Works is still a major name in fragrances and body care, with stores across Canada and beyond. While its scent lineup has changed over the years, nostalgic favourites occasionally make a comeback. 

So, if you've been missing your old signature scent, there's always a chance it'll find its way back onto shelves!

9. Scented Erasers  

Scented erasers were a must-have school supply throughout the 80s and 90s. These colourful, sweet-smelling erasers came in all sorts of shapes, from strawberries and ice cream cones to tiny animals and cartoon characters. They were supposed to erase pencil marks, but their fruity fragrances and fun designs made them more of a collectible than a classroom essential.

Remember lining up your collection along the edge of your desk, trading duplicates with friends or saving your favourite one for a special occasion? 

Some were so cute you couldn't bring yourself to actually use them!

And let's be honest, most of them were better at smelling like strawberries than erasing your spelling mistakes!

The smell:  A sweet mix of artificial strawberries, grapes, oranges and bubblegum, with that unmistakable rubbery scent underneath. Some were so strongly scented you could smell them before you even opened your pencil case!

Where is it now? Scented erasers are still around today, with plenty of colourful designs and fruity fragrances available in stationery stores and online. They've even evolved into miniature food-shaped collectibles, proving that kids still love school supplies that smell like candy!

Which Nostalgic Smell Takes You Back?

It's amazing how one familiar scent can bring back memories of school lunches, sleepovers, shopping malls and Saturday mornings in front of the TV.

Some of these childhood smells are gone for good. While others are still sitting on store shelves, just waiting to take you back a few decades.

And if reading this just transported you back to the unmistakable smell of a fresh tub of Play-Doh, congratulations, your childhood memories are alive and well. 

Now, where did we put that Bubble Tape?